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Midland
Centre Sporting Events
2021 ... |
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| NEXT
SPORTING EVENT - Autumn
Trial & Taster Trial... |
Sunday
26th September 2021 - East Lodge Farm, Sunningdale Road Bromsgrove B61 7NN |
| MIDLAND
CENTRE TRIALS - Spring and Autumn production car trials have been a strong feature in the MGCC calendar for decades. The Spring trial had seen a dwindling entry in the last few years to the point where it was no longer a viable competition and the 2016 event was cancelled. This was quite a big blip in over 80 years of organisation and competition for the MGCC in the Midland Centre, so what to do about it? At the 2016 Autumn Trial we had a good discussion with competitors about the future of the Spring Trial. As a result of that and another debate that Adrian Tucker-Peake had initiated early in 2015 with Midland Auto Club and the MSA GoMotorsport regional development officer the framework for a taster trial has emerged. It is clear that with a mature but still enthusiastic entry for the autumn event it makes sense to plan for the future; something which both MSUK and the MGCC have recognised. TASTER TRIAL - The objective is to involve newcomers; youngsters and adults who might have heard about trials but haven’t taken it any further yet. An opportunity for experienced drivers to bring their boys and girls and to help on the day. The MSUK acknowledges that clubs need to be able to attract new faces and on a one off annual basis will issue a permit that allows non-club members, members of the public, to take part in a taster event whilst being covered by the MSUK public liability insurance. All you need is an RS Clubman licence, available free on the MSUK website. It will be a production car event which means that standard road cars are both eligible and suitable. We typically see, MGZR, Rover25, MG F and Citroen Saxo among other small cars competing at the Autumn Trial, all are competent handy vehicles. The course will be grass and mud, essentially non-damaging with some AutoSolo type forward only tests. |
The format will include an
explanation of the different types of trial, the classes, how to
prepare a vehicle, completing paperwork, driving instruction,
driving practice and some good takeaways as a reminder of the
event, and if you’ve enjoyed the experience, we hope you’ll join
a club and compete.
So, its now YOUR chance to have a go, this event is for young drivers and novices to Trialing, we will be able to give you expert guidance and let you get out there in a mild way to try your skills on a safe grassy field.  This is where car control and
careful movements can really help you with conditions which you
may experience in regular Winter driving, but while you practice
there are very few ditches, trees or other immovable objects to
worry about. So why not give it a go, or at least come and watch
what happens on the day, after that you may want to have a go
next time.
Entry Form and Regulations now available 'HERE' |
| REPORT... 'Summer Sprint' - 1st August 2021 | |
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The morning of Sunday, 1st
August, looked decidedly gloomy and wet as this writer crawled
out of bed at 6.00am, and it got progressively worse during the
splash around the M42 en-route to the Midland Centre’s ‘Summer
Sprint’ at Curborough. Not much ‘summer’ about it, and one
wondered what sort of a day’s competition we would have with
competitors tip-toeing around the circuit.
 But miracles do happen, and on
arrival at Curborough it was (to borrow the name of that
well-known Australian rainwear manufacturer) ‘drizabone’, much
to everyone’s relief. Even better, it stayed dry all day, the
sun actually coming out through the afternoon, the thermometer
rising, and people able to shed some clothing. Nothing too
indecorous, of course, this isn’t Blackpool. There was some
consternation when a problem was found with the gas supply to
the new ‘chuck’ cabin, rendering cooked brekkies unobtainable
for a while, but it was soon resolved and normal service was
restored, much to everyone’s relief, if not their cholesterol
levels.
Practice runs started at 9.00am, with the first timed runs off and running at around 11.00. A depleted entry of some 37 drivers, some sharing cars, allowed officials and competitors to get through the timed sessions pretty quickly, aided by some very efficient paddock marshalling, also helped by some pretty tidy driving. Yes, there was the occasional spin and ‘all wheels off’ indiscretion, but nothing to disrupt the overall timing of the day. Oh, and being the figure-of-8 circuit configuration, spectators were treated to the amusing sight of one or two drivers heading in the wrong direction on the track. One wondered if sat.nav might help. It was also good to see a large contingent of MGs of various types for this event.  Some folk were aware of the
tragic accident which had occurred at Brands Hatch the previous
day resulting in the death of a marshal. People who volunteer as
motorsport marshals are an essential part of the fabric of the
sport, it could not take place without them. It was therefore
deemed appropriate to hold a 1-minute silence just before the
lunch break at 12.45.
 |
 Oh yes, spectators. For the
first time since the start of the pandemic and lockdowns, MSUK
had deemed it permissible to allow spectators to attend the
event, subject to following instructions issued by the
organisers and marshals, So we had the welcome sight of several
dozen visitors and their cars (and bikes) lined up along the
service road in a manner not seen for more than 18 months.
Thanks to all of those who took the opportunity to be
entertained through the day, it was good to have you back.
 So, in the end we managed five
timed runs, and award winners were as follows –
 It was just as well that John
Page managed to set Fastest Time of the Day on his first run
before lunch as after that the car refused to run at all and was
retired for the day.
That ended another enjoyable day, and we now look forward to next year’s April ‘Spring Sprint’ at the same location, and we will hope to see more competitors and spectators on the day, weather and health permitting. Andrew Robson - MGCC Midland Centre Full list of results here.. Image Gallery here.. |
| REPORT...
'Naviscat'
- 6th
June 2021 |
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The ‘Naviscat’ organised by
committee member Bob Blackstock on Saturday 5 June was
considered by all the 12 crews that took part to be a
great success. As relative novices my navigator Steve and I
had an initial small problem when plotting in that we thought
the instructions followed the route we needed to take from one
clue after the other, twenty in all. Unable to work this out we
asked Bob for guidance and he pointed out all the way
points were plotted from the start point and we then found our
way to them all. Clear? Well once we realised that we quickly
plotted them all over a cup of coffee and then commenced the
run.
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We only needed to visit 15 and
answer the questions, sometimes walking to find the code boards.
On route we came across other competitors coming the
reverse way to us resulting in waves and horn blowing.
Starting at 12.30pm we had to be back by 4pm which we
managed,indeed we were first back.
At result time
we came in 3rd equal, but on a tie break question, the date of
Queen Victoria`s Golden Jubilee, we were relegated to fourth.
Still,out of 12 entrants we were well pleased. The weather was
fabulous. The countryside a brilliant green. With the hood down
the entire day there is nothing better than MGing down twisting
lanes smelling the greenery and all too often manure, and the
distant calling of a cuckoo, a sound a townie like me had not
heard in years. And at the end a
superb, chilled to perfection, glass of cider brewed at the
start and finish venue of Weston`s Cider complex of Much Markle.
A great thank
you to Bob for making this all happen and good to see John and
Judy Fry lending a hand as well. Finally, Bob,
thanks for laying on a fly past of the Red Arrows minutes before
the start. Totally brill! Roger King - Chairman MGCC Midland Centre |
| MGCC Spring Sprint Report - Curborough 11th April ... | |
With the Competitors and
Officials being greeted at the Circuit by the Snow Flurries, it
was a real reminder of the April event some years ago at the
same venue and proof that Spring can still be a little
unpredictable. However within a short time, the record number of
83 drivers were quickly setting out the cars in the pre-arranged
spaces in readiness to get back on track, for the first time in
2021, and many for the first time in over a year.
The Centre were delighted with
the number of MG entrants with half the entries being this
Marque. All were keen to get to the start lines, and didn't
require much calling this time.
 Of course, the whole event was
being run with the highest level of Covid-19 controls therefore
no spectators were being allowed, but there were sufficient
numbers of drivers to give the event a good but safe feeling of
activity. Midland Centre Covid-19 Marshall's were constantly
circulating and keeping everyone in order, if they spotted any
possible breaches.
 The
MG ZR 1.4 litre class, was hotly contested with nine cars
battling it out for class honours, all having been road
driven to the venue. Now this is really budget motor sport
at its best for third in class was Graham Harvey with a time
of 40.78 seconds round the single lap circuit, whilst first
place went to Jack Twomey achieving a lap time of 40.47. The
point is Graham`s car cost him £500 purchased off eBay, and
was completely standard. "Brilliant little car", said
Graham and so say all of us…..
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The
event was being staged on the Curborough 'One lapper'
Circuit, again a first for some, and first in a long time
for others, but were all keen to try to have a two session
practice, followed by a three session timed lap.
 If
you have wondered about getting back into competitive motor
sport for the sheer fun of it? Maybe starting out? Or
perhaps you fancy dipping your toe into a puddle of
adrenaline? Whatever, irrespective of age you really can
have fun at budget prices so snap up an MG ZR 1.4 and go for
it.
Even the driving was well
behaved, with very few laps being lost by small 'offs' and
the detailed planning for the timing allowed everyone who
wanted to get in the two practice and three timed laps
before 5.00pm. Following the 30 minutes allowance for any
protests, the winners and awards were decided at 5.30pm
and although many needed to get away, there was still time
for the prizes.
The
'Special' Trophy winners were awarded to:-.
Fastest Lady
Driver -
Helen Waddington (MG ZR) 41.37 The
'Midnight Cup' for Fastest MG of the Day -
Richard Watkinson (MG Midget) 37.05 The 'Weston
Cup' for Fastest Time of the Day -
Steve Miles (Van Dieman) 29.51 Thanks go to all of the
Midland Centre Event organisers for creating such a
slick, safe, well controlled and enjoyable meeting.
Let's hope it can the the first of many during 2021
Full Report here.. Image Gallery here.. |
| Sporting Events 2021 ... | |
| Our
regular events which the Centre organise like the Spring
Sprint to be held at Curborough on Sunday 11th
April.
Our Summer
Sprint is again at Curborough on Sunday 1st
August and the Autumn Trial at
Burton Dassett Hills Country Park on Sunday 26th September,
will continue again in 2021, Covid restrictions allowing.
The
Regularity
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The
Naviscat
is
planned to start late Morning of Saturday 5th June.
This style of event involves plotting onto an Ordnance Survey
1:50000 scale map twenty or twenty-four clue-point locations and
then selecting a maximum of three quarters of them to visit.  They will likely be within a radius of eight to ten miles of the start and the plotting will require an understanding of basic navigation techniques such as grid references, tulip diagrams, map symbols, spot heights or herringbone diagrams |
| Sporting Events - How can I get started? ... | Sprinting & Hillclimbing ... |
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Are
you interested in Motorsport but not sure how it all works?
To
try and give you as much information as possible the MG
Car Club Midland Centre have created information
sheets for various Sporting events, most of which the Centre
will be holding during the year.
If
you would like more details or like to discuss further, please
contact the following who will be keen to assist you.
Tony Lake - Midland Centre
Trials Co-ordinator David Russell - Midland
Centre Sprints Co-ordinator |
The
MG Car Club has been organising motor sport since the 1930’s and
the Midland Centre also has a very long history of doing so.
Currently, we organise two speed events each year at the
Curborough Sprint Course, which is situated three or four miles
north of Lichfield in Staffordshire, just off theA38, near the
Fradley Industrial Estate. The Centre has recently celebrated
fifty years of running these successful meetings there.
MGCC
racing, sprints and hill climbs are well publicised in Safety
Fast Magazine.These
are speed events, often connected to championships for which More photos on our Facebook page HERE More Information on the pdf download HERE |
| Sporting Events - What is a Naviscat? ... | |
|
This
style of event involves plotting onto an Ordnance Survey
1:50000 scale map twenty or twenty-four clue-point locations
and then selecting a maximum of three quarters of them to
visit. They will likely be within a radius of eight to ten
miles of the start and the plotting will require an
understanding of basic navigation techniques such as grid
references, tulip diagrams, map symbols, spot heights or
herringbone diagrams.
More
information HERE
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| Sporting Events - What is an AutoSolo? ... | |
| 'Autosolo' is a forward only version of an autotest ideal for
unmodified road cars, they must be driven to the event and have an
MOT, although this can vary depending on the regulations. The
rules allow for a passenger as young as 12 and a driver
aged 14, though not in the same car! MGCC members have
an invitation from the Cannock and District Car Club to enter
their events. If you want a fun day out then
visit http://www.cdcc.org.uk
or see them on Facebook. An ideal opportunity to exercise
your daily driver and still get to work on Monday morning.
Other events may be open to MGCC
members. Anyone interested in taking part in any of these events
should contact the Cannock & District Car Club directly.
Their website contains details of entry forms and regulations.
|
 Thanks to MGCC
Member Ian Webb for this summary which has previously been
printed in Safety fast Magazine.
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| Sporting Events - Young Members in Motorsport ... | |
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It’s
been highly encouraging to learn that some of the Young
Members Branch recently obtained Clubman’s licences. The Midland Centre of the MGCC is registered with AWMMC, the Association of West Midlands Motor Clubs. This organisation acts as a forum and clearing house for regional motorsport, avoiding date clashes and providing publicity for all the affiliated clubs in the area.
The
AWMMC
website is a gold mine. It lists all its
affiliated members and their principle activities in motor
sport which makes hunting down a club event in your neck of
the woods pretty easy. You will find annual calendars,
regulations, entry forms; so pretty straight forward to
organise your weekend pursuits in which ever discipline takes
your fancy. The
MSUK rules for clubman events encourage the organising
club to invite up to 15 MSUK affiliated-clubs to
participate; this information can be found
in the regulations. |
A
quick scan through the clubs listed in your
geographic areawill reveal all sorts of sport which is
impossible to publish in Safety Fast
but nonetheless could be open to MGCC members.
If
the MGCC is not listed as an invited club you will likely
find that a call to the organisers will welcome the MGCC
and we will be added to the list, clubs don’t turn down
potential entries.
The
Midland Centre is keen to help the Young Members Branch
become involved in motor
sport, in whatever way it can, visit
the Midland Centre 'events'
page for up-to-date event listings, contacts and motor sport
opportunities.
As a way to encourage the younger drivers, all 'Under 21s' qualify for a discounted entry fee. |
| Sporting Events - Start Trials with a 'Taster Trial' event ... | Sporting
Events - Start as a Marshall... |
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MSUK
encourage Taster events which are designed to whet the
appetite of novices for Clubman level competition. The Midland
Centre has organised an annual Taster Car Trial for several
years which has been
popular, a friendly all-inclusive low cost day out with your
daily driver, no special preparation needed.
More photos on our Facebook page HERE & HERE
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Another
way to get a feel for the many and varied disciplines is to
volunteer as a marshal, they are always in relatively short
supply and if it is your forte you will find yourself in
demand. Contact the chief
marshal
for the event to make yourself known.
Simon Morris - Sporting
Event and Marshal Co-ordinator |
| General News ... | |
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Coronavirus
(Covid-19)
The
current situation regarding coronavirus may result in
many public events being either cancelled or at least
severely curtailed. This may apply to events being
organised by various MG groups, including the Midland
Centre. We strongly advise our members to check with the
organisers of any event which you may be thinking of
attending, before leaving home, to ascertain whether or
not it is still being held. Updates affecting Midland
Centre events will be displayed here and may be issued
in Centre email bulletins.
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The MG Car Club Ltd - Midland Centre Registered Office: Kimber
House, Cemetery Road, Abingdon OX14 1AS.,
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