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MG SPORTING

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An overview

Many models of MG have been raced, not just the sports models. Currently many countries conduct MGF one make race series, and presently in Australia we have such a series supporting the V8 Supercars at each of their race meetings. At club level, most MG’s race in Historic Racing, conducted under the rules of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. CAMS as it is known, controls circuit racing in Australia. Circuit racing consists of Modern Racing and Historic Racing.

MG’s have always been one of the most successful marques involved in motor racing, from club racing to professional teams at the highest level, and so it follows that the marque is well and truly represented in today’s Historic Racing. Historic Racing is a large segment of circuit racing today, with, in NSW, about 4 dedicated historic major meetings per year, and some modern meetings catering for some historic classes. Historic Touring Cars are featured at major modern meetings, including GP’s.

It is not unusual for entries to exceed 300 at an Historic Meeting. All states have an historic movement similar to New South Wales, and many competitors travel interstate more than twice a year to compete. Victoria has a dedicated one make series “MG Racing” which has CAMS State Championship Status, and caters for Open (basically no limit to modifications allowed), Fast Road, and Historic divisions.

Cars participating in Historic Racing are log booked by CAMS, grouped into cars with an actual racing history, and those which do not, but which are representative of the cars that were raced in the period up to 1977. The log book is the car’s “pedigree,” also detailing ownership etc.

The classes are:

Actual Racing History

Group J - pre 1931 racing and sports cars

Group K - 1932-1940 racing and sports cars

Group L - 1941-1960 racing and sports cars

Group M - 1961-1965 racing and sports cars

Group O - 1966-1969 racing and sports cars

Group Q - 1970-1977 racing and sports cars

Group R - post 1970 racing and sports cars

Representative Cars

Group Sa - 1941-1960 Production Sports Cars

Group Sb - 1961-1969 Production Sports Cars

Group Sc - 1970-1977 Production Sports Cars

Group Na - pre 1958 Touring Cars

Group Nb - pre 1965 Touring Cars

Group Sa - 1965-1971 Touring Cars

Whilst there are MG’s competing in many classes, the majority compete in Sa and Sb. These include MGA, MGB, Midget and Magnette. Up until fairly recently, TD and TF also raced in Sa. There is one J and several T specials racing in the pure historic classes.

The CAMS Manual details all car specifications, and in the production classes, lists cars that are accepted as “production” models. In Sa and Sb the manual lists about 30 different makes that are eligible. The makes include Abarth, AC, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Austin Healey, Bolwell, Corvette, Datsun, Elva, Ferrari, Fiat, Ginetta, ISO, Jaguar, Lancia, Lotus, Marcos, Maserati, Mercedes, MG, Morgan, Porsche, Shelby, Sunbeam, Triumph, Turner, TVR, Volvo. It is not unusual to have a full grid of up to 47 cars face the starter, so it can be seen that the variety of makes and models participating is impressive by any standards. Cars generally compete within their Group, broken into capacity classes.

As history has shown, MG’s have generally performed above the expectations of most, and have always been amongst the top of their class, sometimes reaching the outright podium. The results of MG’s competing in Historic Racing today are no different. Safety Fast has indeed been an enduring motto.

Geoff Pike

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