MGCC MG Trophy Championship

19th April 2018

RACE BULLETIN No. 1 – 14th April 2018

Silverstone National 7th April 2018 – The College Motors MGCC MG Trophy Championship
My first meeting as Championship Co-ordinator took place on the National Circuit at Silverstone, a venue the MG trophy had not visited for four years, and then only as a non-championship event. Getting to grips with the many elements of the co-ordinator role would not have been possible for me without the ongoing support and great assistance which I have received, and thankfully continue to receive, from Pete.

I had wanted to start the season with a grid over 30, and just shortly after the closing date the entries
reached a total of 35 which was really pleasing to see.

Following the decision made at the drivers meeting the Championship has separated in to Standard
Power (160) and Enhanced Power (170 & 190) sections, with the overall champion coming from the
Enhanced Power section. Two dropped scores will be permitted this year.

Testing
There were a few track and test days on the weeks running up to the Saturday races with the last one being on the Friday beforehand, this was a busy Trophy day with over three quarters of the grid familiarising themselves with the grip of the new surface laid at Silverstone over the winter period.

Unfortunately, pre-season testing revealed issues with three Class A cars, and the grid became reduced
to a still very healthy 32, 5 Class A, 22 Class B, and 5 Class C.

Returning & New Drivers
Four drivers returned to the MG Trophy. In Class A, 15 Rob Perkins, our connection to our 2018 Charity Partner, Rett UK. Rett Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder causing profound and multiple physical and communication disabilities from age 1, affecting about 1 in 12,000 girls. Every car in the Championship displays a Race4Rett sticker in the windscreen. Please visit www.rettuk.org to find out more.

In Class B, 84 Chris Boulton who last competed in 2015 finishing 7th, and 10 Ray Ferguson who has been racing in the Ferrari Maranello Challenge since last competing in the Trophy in 2016. In Class C, 36 John Gill the 2015 Overall Champion. New to the Trophy were, in class B 3 Sam Kirkpatrick, 6 Ben Mills, 100 Dave Stubbs and in class C, 93 Joe Dalgarno, we wish all our new drivers the best of luck. 2017 Trophy champ 64 Matt Turnbull moves up from Class C to Class B, while 2nd place from Class C, 7 Andy Spencer becomes the first driver to move from Class C to Class A, where he is also joined by 4 Simon Byrne, and 23 Paul Savage from Class B.

Round Sponsor – College Motors
The opening two rounds of the Championship were sponsored by College Motors, Oxfordshire’s Xpart dealer, and MG Rover Specialist for over 20 years. College Motors are also an all makes car dismantler, who provide quality second hand parts as well as an end of life vehicle facility. Owner, Simon Ballard has a long family history with MG and it’s Abingdon factory base. His son, Tylor, drives the College Motors sponsored car No. 80 in Class C.

Guest Driver
Not for the first time, the Championship was joined by an Australian, Rob O’Boyle, a Management Consultant from Brisbane, Queensland. Rob, 45, originally from Sawley in Derbyshire, raced a Fiesta XR2 in the Hot Hatch Championship and then moved to an MG Maestro where he had several podiums with the MGOC. He moved to Brisbane 10 years ago to work in sales. His drive in the Championship was arranged by his lifelong friend, Trophy regular Simon Byrne, especially for Rob’s visit to the UK. Rob was also supported by his wife Claire, daughter Katie, and son Ben.

Qualifying
At 08:59 32 cars took to the track for the first MGCC qualifying session of 2018. After 5 laps top 3’s were A: Spencer, Burgess, Ross, B: Luti, Kirkpatrick, Firth(R), C: Booth, Ballard, Dalgarno. After 8 Laps A: Burgess, Spencer, Cole, B: Luti, Kirkpatrick, Turnbull, C: Booth, Dalgarno, Ballard. At the end of the session A: Burgess, Spencer, Ross, B: Turnbull, Luti, Kirkpatrick, C: Booth, Ballard, Dalgarno. Post qualification Payne discovered an engine problem which would see him withdraw from both races, and Mills needed a clutch change which meant he missed race 1.

Race Reports by Ian Sowman

The opening rounds of the College Motors MG Trophy Championship were not without drama. The safety car was scrambled in race one after a second-lap incident at Copse that ruled out Rob Perkins and debutant Sam Kirkpatrick, who had graduated from the Junior Saloon Car Championship.

The call for the safety car to return to the pit lane was a late one, which caught Doug Cole – who had made up three places at Becketts to take the lead on the opening lap – napping. In the confusion, Jason Burgess took the lead just before the timing line, although given the circumstances he was not penalised. He went on to take outright victory with Graham Ross, who dived up the inside of Cole at Brooklands on lap 11, taking second.

Reigning champion Matthew Turnbull proved that his ZR160 success was no fluke by qualifying on ZR170 pole on his maiden outing in the division, but it was last year’s runner-up that aced the start and left Turnbull playing catch-up. Their battle for the class win was interrupted on the final lap by the ZR190 of Andy Spencer unlapping himself after a first lap trip to the Becketts gravel.

Among the ZR160s, Tylor Ballard (son of the race sponsor) took his first class victory, emerging on top
of a fine tussle with John Booth by less than half a second.

Fastest Laps – A: Burgess 1:07.053 on lap 16, B: Jackson 1.09.849 on lap 10, C: Booth 1.12.794 on lap
9 (All New Lap Records)

Driver of the Race – Tylor Ballard

Burgess completed a double later in the day, this time leading from lights-to-flag – just! Cole had been running second when a spin on the exit of Luffield dropped him down the order, and he had fought back to fourth position before he was forced to retire. Ross, meanwhile, played a waiting game before launching an attack on the leader at Brooklands on the final tour. There was door-to-door contact that caused Ross to spin and Burgess to take to the grass, but they maintained their original positions, with the rorty-sounding car of Andy Spencer third.

The ZR170 scrap was intense, with a number of position changes in the battle between Luti, Turnbull and Adam Jackson. On lap 11 Turnbull dived ahead at Brooklands to take the class lead only to lose it to the experienced Luti at Woodcote before turning his attentions to defence from Jackson in the final few laps.

Ballard suffered problems from the off and eventually retired his ZR160, leaving 4G Racing team mates Booth and John Gil to dispute divisional honours, the former coming out on top.

Fastest Laps – A: Ross 1:07.231 on lap 11, B: Jackson 1.09.832 on lap 14(NLR), C: Booth 1.13.294 on
lap 3
Driver of the Race – Matt Turnbull
Driver of the Day – Matt Turnbull

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

Photography
Remember 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 at either Dickon’s website www.dsdigital.co.uk (DSD) or on Rebecca’s facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaLouisePhoto/ (RLP)

	Date	Circuit / Layout	Event Type	Cost
May 2023
+	Wednesday 31 May 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
June 2023
+	Thursday 01 June 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.	£149
	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
+	Wednesday 07 June 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
+	Tuesday 13 June 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.	£249
	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
+	Wednesday 14 June 2023	Croft 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.	£249
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Croft Matt Neal – www.mattneal.co.uk One of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar. It’s our only trip to the North East side of the country and when we get there the circuit is a real challenge with the local fans always giving terrific warm support. Croft is very clean and picturesque, neatly cut lawns and a neat compact pit lane with all amenities close by. As a driver it requires a high level of commitment, so racing and finding an optimum balanced setup is key to a fast Read more
+	Wednesday 14 June 2023	Oulton Park International	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.	£319
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Oulton Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Oulton Park is the longest circuit in the UK, excluding Silverstone. It also has the steepest banked corner in the UK in the form of Shell Oils at 11 degrees. The circuit’s natural undulations and blind crests make this one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, both feared and revered by drivers on both two and four wheels. There is very little run off anywhere, so take your time – it is unlikely you will master the circuit on your first Read more
+	Friday 16 June 2023	Goodwood Circuit	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.	£699
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Goodwood Circuit Alan Whibley – Old Farts Member Probably my favourite circuit of all. Set in the lovely Sussex countryside and beautifully maintained. There’s well manicured grass all round and there lies problem number one – almost no run off anywhere. Put a boot on the grass and there is a tyre wall with solid earth banks waiting for you. The pleasant surroundings can give a give a feeling of relaxation, but it is deceptive and can catch out the unwary. There is plenty of cover in the pits to Read more
July 2023
+	Thursday 06 July 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.	£159
	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
+	Monday 10 July 2023	Brands Hatch 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 Closed Wheel Only Notes: Photography 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
+	Wednesday 12 July 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.	£159
	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

Date

Circuit / Layout

Event Type

Cost

May 2023

Wednesday
31 May 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

June 2023

Thursday
01 June 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£149

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

Wednesday
07 June 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

Tuesday
13 June 2023

Donington Park
National

£249

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

Wednesday
14 June 2023

Croft
Full

£249

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

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Croft Matt Neal – www.mattneal.co.uk One of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar. It’s our only trip to the North East side of the country and when we get there the circuit is a real challenge with the local fans always giving terrific warm support. Croft is very clean and picturesque, neatly cut lawns and a neat compact pit lane with all amenities close by. As a driver it requires a high level of commitment, so racing and finding an optimum balanced setup is key to a fast Read more

Wednesday
14 June 2023

Oulton Park
International

£319

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

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Oulton Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Oulton Park is the longest circuit in the UK, excluding Silverstone. It also has the steepest banked corner in the UK in the form of Shell Oils at 11 degrees. The circuit’s natural undulations and blind crests make this one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, both feared and revered by drivers on both two and four wheels. There is very little run off anywhere, so take your time – it is unlikely you will master the circuit on your first Read more

Friday
16 June 2023

Goodwood Circuit

£699

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

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Goodwood Circuit Alan Whibley – Old Farts Member Probably my favourite circuit of all. Set in the lovely Sussex countryside and beautifully maintained. There’s well manicured grass all round and there lies problem number one – almost no run off anywhere. Put a boot on the grass and there is a tyre wall with solid earth banks waiting for you. The pleasant surroundings can give a give a feeling of relaxation, but it is deceptive and can catch out the unwary. There is plenty of cover in the pits to Read more

July 2023

Thursday
06 July 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£159

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

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Monday
10 July 2023

Brands Hatch
Grand Prix

£649

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

Notes: Photography

Wednesday
12 July 2023

Donington Park
National

£159

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

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

MGCC MG Trophy Championship

Upcoming Track Days

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MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

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?