Out in the Field; MG Live! and the beginning of StreetCar
With over a 100 motorsport events held across the UK over the weekend, and the beautiful sunshine to partner it, what a cracking weekend in grassroots motorsport it has been.
For the MG lovers out there, the MG Car Club held their annual MG Live! and following the launch of StreetCar on 6 June, clubs have started to showcase the best of motorsport in your everyday road car.
Let’s take a look at what has been going on out in the field.
StreetCar and the Anglia Motor Sport Club
StreetCar has been a hot topic over the last week as Motorsport UK launched the initiative last Monday. Starting off the exciting rounds of StreetCar stories, the Anglia Motor Sport Club had an exciting weekend supporting Sporting Car Club of Norfolk and the launch on StreetCar: Motorsport in your everyday road car as well as the promotion of motorsport in East Anglia.
The SCCoN also celebrated Stratton Motor Company’s 50th anniversary at the event over the weekend.
The Anglia Motor Sport Club is one of the first approved StreetCar clubs who aim to promote grassroots motorsport and get people started in motorsport through the most accessible forms. On top of this event, the club has also created a TikTok account (@angliamotorsportclub) to show off all of the fun that you can have in your everyday road car, as well as discussing their plans and events with Motorsport UK in the June edition of Revolution .
MG Live! – Silverstone
The sun shone over Silverstone this weekend for ‘MG Live!’ – the world’s largest MG event. This is the first time in three years that the MG Car Club have held the event because of cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which meant MG enthusiasts were eager to get back out to Silverstone over the weekend.
There were over 20,000 people at the event over the weekend with many holding a special place in their hearts for MGs and many owning an MG themselves. 2022 is a celebratory year for MG as it marks the 40th anniversary of post-Abingdon MG’s including the MG Metro, 60th anniversary of the MGB which was celebrated by a parade around the circuit of the two-door sports car and marks 90 years of the MG J2 Midget, so there was plenty to celebrate this weekend.
Hundreds of MGs, from all eras of the nearly 100-year history of the marque, descended upon Silverstone, and were displayed in groups around the show field area according to their related model type or associated Register or Branch within the club with several of the local centres adding to the fantastic displays.
Within the show area, there was a large and well stocked specialist trade area and Autojumble including a display from MG Motor UK of the MG brand’s latest range of petrol, hybrid and all-electric vehicles including the recently launched MG5 EV estate.
On track, there was a packed schedule of motorsport on Silverstone’s International Circuit to keep the fans riveted with race after race of adrenaline fuelled action. Highlights included a special Equipe Classic Racing Grid of 60 MGBs celebrating 60 years of the model. The race was far from ceremonial though and proved to be highly competitive, with racers eager to take the trophy in this historic year – all adding to an incredible spectacle for the MGB anniversary. The race was won by Sam Kirkpatrick in his MGB convertible.
Further motor racing highlights saw the Morgan and Sports Car race feature a strong field of MGAs, a huge variety of historic vehicles from Jaguars to Triumph and Ferrari racing against MGs within the Equipe Libre pre-63/50s and 70s races plus the GT and Sports Car Cup. The MG Car Club’s own championships were out in force as well with the Cockshoot Cup, MGCC MG Cup and the BCV8 Championship all showing what the MG marque is capable of on the high-speed circuit of Silverstone.
The MG Car Club also held the California Cup Autotest for any form of MG as well as the AutoSOLO taster in which any car was able to compete including our very own Motorsport UK StreetCar and offering those who have never competed in grassroots motorsport to have a go.
Isle of Wight Summer Sizzle Autotest
A new venue for most and a return to a classic for some, the Isle of Wight Car Club returned to the car park of Westridge in Ryde for the Summer Sizzle Autotest.
Across five classes, 34 drivers competed on the short, tight, yet exciting course, weaving in and around cones, islands, and ramps. A diverse mix of driver ages ensured there was a thrilling youth championship.
All but one entry was StreetCar recognised vehicle showcasing that grassroots motorsport is alive and growing on the Isle of Wight thanks to the enthusiasm of the club and its members.
Out of the 34 drivers, 14 competed in Class 1 for unmodified cars under 1400cc. Gordon Bushell in his Smart Roadster was the fastest of the group. Joel Gilby, in his MGZR, was eighth overall but took the youth title.
The clubs next event is on 24 July and will be held on grass and suitable for any StreetCar. If you fancy having a go with the club and sliding around on the grass, head to www.iowcc.co.uk for more information.