Brands Hatch Indy 28th April 2018 – Classic Fuel Solutions MGCC MG Trophy Championship

3rd May 2018

Following the first lap occurrence of 2017 I found myself with a reasonable dose of apprehension as the championship returned to the Brands Hatch Indy circuit for its 2018 rounds. I was in fact treated to three clean first laps, although the day was most certainly not without its moments of anxiety.

What had initially looked like a healthy grid of over 30 was reduced by Saturday to 26 by the impact of competitors’ work, life, and financial commitments. This was split between 5 Class A, 16 Class B and 5 Class C.

Testing
The Friday MSV test day was well supported by the Trophy Championship. The damp conditions making it easy for those brave enough to try a dry setup to find the limit of adhesion. Finding a reasonable wet setup and eliminating any engine power issues was more the order of the day.

Returning Drivers
Three drivers returned to the MG Trophy for the Brands Hatch rounds. In Class A, 2 Chris Bray, the alltime most successful MG Trophy driver. Chris has competed in the Championship for nine seasons with an impressive total of 44 race wins, three overall Championship titles, three second and two third places. Also in Class A, 73 Ross Makar, the 2017 Class A Champion, having avoided the Silverstone rounds. In Class B, 117 Jake Fraser-Burns, who last competed in 2016.

Round Sponsor – Classic Fuel Solutions
The third and fourth rounds of the Championship were sponsored by Classic Fuel Solutions of Bredbury, Stockport, who supply two grades of highly engineered ethanol free petrol. Their Premium lead replacement fuel has been specially designed to deliver all the performance a vehicle is capable of, whilst preserving and protecting its engine. Their Supreme high octane leaded racing fuel has been developed to provide outstanding performance in classic motorsport. A display of their products was to be found in garage 1.

Qualifying
By 09:00 the early morning rain had stopped, and the 26 cars took to the track for their qualification session. After 3 laps the Red Flag made it’s first appearance of the day as Mills found the gravel at the end of the pit straight. A couple of laps after the restart, and with 3 ½ minutes remaining, the top 3’s were A: Burgess, Makar, Bray, B: Roberts, Turnbull, Firth(R), C: Dalgarno, Booth, Ballard. After 7 Laps A: Makar, Burgess, Spencer, B: Luti, Turnbull, Firth(R), C: Booth, Dalgarno, Ballard. Turnbull went off, but was covered by yellow flags, the remaining cars managed another lap before Spencer went straight on into the tyre wall bringing out the second Red Flag and ending the session. At the end o session the order was A: Makar, Burgess, Bray, B: Roberts, Luti, Turnbull, C: Booth, Dalgarno, Gil. Second Best times were A: Makar, Bray, Burgess, B: Luti, Roberts, Turnbull, C: Dalgarno, Booth, Ballard.

Race Reports by Ian Sowman
Chris Bray took victory on his seasonal debut in the Classic Fuel Solutions MG Trophy, but it was a race that was sadly red-flagged twice. The first stoppage came after Andy Firth crashed heavily at the foot of Paddock Hill Bend.

The grid for the restart was set by the order wound back a lap, which was to the advantage of Silverstone double-winner Jason Burgess who had just scurried through the Paddock gravel trap. Burgess started alongside Bray, therefore, but was behind the Cambridgeshire man for the five laps that were possible before another halt was called. Graham Ross jumped two places at the restart to claim third, while initial polesitter Ross Makar fell behind Andy Spencer to be the last ZR190 finisher.

The second stoppage was due to Tylor Ballard rolling multiple times and ending up atop the barriers at Paddock – a case of his race going from good (leading the ZR160 division at the first red flag) to bad (spinning on the opening lap of the restart) to worse. John Gil took the win in that class having passed Dave Heasman at Paddock on lap three. Meanwhile, in the ZR170 class, Paul Luti jumped Andy’s son Ryan Firth at the second start, having trailed behind him before the red flag, while Ollie Hood made strong progress to take third and earn the driver of the race award.

Fastest Laps – A: Bray 57.321 on lap 5, B: Hood 58.200 on lap 5, C: Ballard 1.02.037 on lap 4
Driver of the Race – Ollie Hood

The second race was remarkable in that it looked like a ZR170, that of Paul Luti, would take outright victory for the first time in the history of the Trophy. The Scot made a tremendous start, driving around the outside at Paddock to take the lead from fourth on the grid. The cars behind him – a jumble of Class A and B machines – proceeded to fall over one another for the following six laps, allowing Luti to build a 12-second lead. But then came the safety car to recover the stricken Samuel Johnston and Ross Makar mounts… “There were a lot of expletives,” admitted Luti.

There was time for a six-lap sprint, but initial challenger Bray was having intermittent issues, leaving fellow Scot Graham Ross – a green-flag lap spinner – to take up the cudgels, battling with a bad vibration picked up from gravel trap as he did so. “I didn’t want to be the first person to be beaten by a 170,” he said, after powering ahead of Luti on the Brabham Straight at the start of the penultimate lap.

Behind Luti, who was unsurprisingly awarded driver of the race, Ben Mills and Patrick Booth were classified as third and fourth after Matthew Turnbull (third on the road) and Hood were penalised 10 seconds for a safety car infringement. After Bray’s eventual demise, Burgess (seventh overall) was Class A runner-up, having earlier been spun down the order by Bray, who lost the back end of his car when an engine fault kicked in. Gil completed the double among the ZR160s. Of greatest importance, however was the news that Firth Senior and Ballard had suffered no serious injuries.
Fastest Laps – A: Ross 55.908 on lap 14, B: Luti 56.726 on lap 16, C: Booth 59.492 on lap 12
Driver of the Race – Paul Luti
Driver of the Day – Ollie Hood

Bruce Woods
MG Trophy Championship Co-ordinator
t: 07836 358300
e: Trophy@mgzrx.com

Photography
The MG Trophy has two official photographers. It would be really great if you were able to support them. A very small selection of their work follows. You will find much more on either Rebecca’s facebook https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaLouisePhoto/ (RLP)

or at Dickon’s website www.dsdigital.co.uk (DSD)

	Date	Circuit / Layout	Event Type	Cost
September 2023
+	Monday 25 September 2023	Spa Francorchamps Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country Belgium Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more
+	Tuesday 26 September 2023	Spa Francorchamps Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country Belgium Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more
+	Friday 29 September 2023	Thruxton Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£179
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more
October 2023
+	Monday 09 October 2023	Anglesey Coastal	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£184
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Anglesey David Walley – Porsche 997 GT3 www.davidwalley.com The newly tarmacked Anglesey circuit has some breathtaking views (even while driving). As you drift around Peel corner, the view of the Irish Sea is spectacular. The TV series 5th Gear used the circuit for “shoot outs”, which shows how demanding this circuit can be with Tiff Needell thrashing factory cars around. Needless to say, in Wales it’s normally wet, but there’s a surprising amount of grip. However, for a dry lap the Read more
+	Tuesday 10 October 2023	Donington Park Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more
+	Friday 13 October 2023	Cadwell Park Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£149
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more
+	Thursday 26 October 2023	Brands Hatch Indy	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£239
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more
November 2023
+	Tuesday 07 November 2023	Snetterton 300	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£199
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Snetterton Ben Clucas – www.benclucas.co.uk Snetterton has three configurations, split up into the 100, 200 and 300. By far the most used circuit for almost all track days, test days and races is the 300, three-mile configuration, completed in 2011. It isn’t the easiest of the main UK circuits to get to, situated in Norfolk, with parts of the A11 still single carriageway if you are coming from the Midlands or South, although this road is currently under construction and may all be dual Read more
+	Monday 13 November 2023	Donington Park National	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£149
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more
+	Thursday 16 November 2023	Cadwell Park	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£175
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more

Date

Circuit / Layout

Event Type

Cost

September 2023

Monday
25 September 2023

Spa Francorchamps
Grand Prix

Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.

£649

Duration Full day
Country Belgium
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more

Tuesday
26 September 2023

Spa Francorchamps
Grand Prix

£649

Duration Full day
Country Belgium
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Friday
29 September 2023

Thruxton
Full

£179

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more

October 2023

Monday
09 October 2023

Anglesey
Coastal

£184

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Anglesey David Walley – Porsche 997 GT3 www.davidwalley.com The newly tarmacked Anglesey circuit has some breathtaking views (even while driving). As you drift around Peel corner, the view of the Irish Sea is spectacular. The TV series 5th Gear used the circuit for “shoot outs”, which shows how demanding this circuit can be with Tiff Needell thrashing factory cars around. Needless to say, in Wales it’s normally wet, but there’s a surprising amount of grip. However, for a dry lap the Read more

Tuesday
10 October 2023

Donington Park
Grand Prix

£649

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more

Friday
13 October 2023

Cadwell Park
Full

£149

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Cadwell Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Cadwell is just off the A153 between Louth & Horncastle. From the south, leave the A1 at Grantham and take the A153 all the way to the track. From the north, take the A18/A16 to Louth, then the circuit is 7 miles south on the A153. Coppice is a very fast corner but be really smooth with the turn in and allow the car room on the exit of the corner. Following the first corner, bring the car back to the left, light brake and then turn the car in Read more

Thursday
26 October 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£239

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more

November 2023

Tuesday
07 November 2023

Snetterton
300

£199

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Snetterton Ben Clucas – www.benclucas.co.uk Snetterton has three configurations, split up into the 100, 200 and 300. By far the most used circuit for almost all track days, test days and races is the 300, three-mile configuration, completed in 2011. It isn’t the easiest of the main UK circuits to get to, situated in Norfolk, with parts of the A11 still single carriageway if you are coming from the Midlands or South, although this road is currently under construction and may all be dual Read more

Monday
13 November 2023

Donington Park
National

£149

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thursday
16 November 2023

Cadwell Park

£175

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Brands Hatch Indy 28th April 2018 – Classic Fuel Solutions MGCC MG Trophy Championship

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Brands Hatch Indy 28th April 2018 – Classic Fuel Solutions MGCC MG Trophy Championship

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

Are you track ready?