Section : General

MG International, Silverstone Race Curcuit 

Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 24-Jul-2005, 08:10pm

• MG International, Silverstone Race Curcuit 

  Posted By : Jason Chinn, 29-Jul-2005, 05:55pm

  I was there and it really was big and impressive, driving into the MG TF enclosure in my Vitesse was the highlight. Yes I was lost

  • MG International, Silverstone Race Curcuit 

    Posted By : John Davies, 29-Jul-2005, 11:17pm

    All,
    "I have seen the future, and it works!" It didn't for the Soviet Union, but anyone who was at Silverstone for the MGCC International must hav ebeen impressed, by it size alone. Unless you were there, and almost all the racers were there, you cannot appreciate just how much bigger the MG International is than Stafford. Estimates varied, and got bigger as the weekend passed, from five to ten times bigger. Me, I think it was much bigger than that. Stafford Showground would fit inside any two of the many carparks reserved for specific MG models. The non-quiet campsite alone was the same size as the whole of Stafford, and many others camped elsewhere within the International circuit that was FULL of MGs.
    
    And as Jon points out, this is because MGCC is an inclusive club, including ALL MGs, from the very first products of Morris Garages to the last Rover MGs to leave the bankrupted factory gates. They are all welcome, all feted, all included.
    
    Contrast this with the Triumph scene. TSSC and TRR have seperate and exclusive internationals. No one seems to care, in the pastoral sense, for the post-Spitfire Triumphs, except for the 2500 register and Club Triumph. Stags are wonderful, beautiful cars in very much the same style as the Spitfire, but we never see them together. Where do the pre-war Triumphs congregate? I have no idea.
    
    The TSSC has tried to be inclusive, which was about as welcome a Protestant parade in the Bogside (I hope I've got my simile right) to the TRs. But to continue the anology, we inhabit many Triumph churches and like the Christian churches we need to seek an ecumenical solution, by offering to enter theirs, rather than expect them to come to ours.
    
    I suggest a TSSC stand at the next TRR International, and perhaps an offer to hold some events in common, both national and local. The racers have achieved a highly succesful conjoining of championships, started by an offer from the TRs, at a time when both were languishing and had very small grids. It is possible that this union has kept alive Triumph racing as a seperate championship, when it could easily have broken up into seperate cars in many series.
    The future of Triumph has to lie in a larger, wider group that includes ALL Triumphs.
    
    John

    • MG International, Silverstone Race Curcuit 

      Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 30-Jul-2005, 08:43am

      John, you mustn't forget it took 14 MG clubs coming together to organise that event... The MGCC, MGT register, MGF owners club, MGZR owners club etc etc...
      
      The MGCC were entirely responsible for the racing though. Hmm, I wonder how the MGOC felt about that?

      • MG International, Silverstone Race Curcuit 

        Posted By : David Thompson, 30-Jul-2005, 10:31am

        Beautifully expressed viewpoint Mr Davies and I couldn't agree more. The MG International was a really impressive event with a true international feel to it with Americans, Japanese as well a European attendees. I have not been to such a large classic car event since the golden days of the Coys Festival in the mid '90s at Silverstone. Additionally the atmosphere was enhanced (in my opinion but I am biased) by the presence of the on track action. It had attractions for all car types from the concours, historically important vehicles, classic works vehicles (both competition and support vehicles) to the racers on the track via autojumble and trade stands.
        
        It made the Triumph events look very small and amateur. It was the fact that there appeared to be every type of vehicle from any age produced by MG or at Longbridge that enabled, through weight of numbers, the organisers to put on such a big event. It's easy with hindsight but the MG 75 incorporated the BMC Comps 50 - why not the TR 21st aswell making it an all inclusive celebration of British sportscars and competition?
        
        I believe that the Triumph world would be a far better place if we all pooled our resources and got our act together.

        • MG International, Silverstone Race Curcuit 

          Posted By : John Davies, 30-Jul-2005, 12:05pm

          Thank you Nigel, for correcting my ignorance, and for making the point even better - all those clubs DID get together to hold this jamboree. That is what is needed for the future of Triumph.
          
          Thank you, David for your support, though I think "amateur" is a bit harsh on our hardworking and effective Stafford team! And I know from Stafford that while us petrol heads enjoy our motorsport action, it is actively disliked by as many. While a race course will provide the first, and large areas of car park/campsite, the needs and wishes of this large part of the club must be considered - shelter from noise, cover for exhibits, historics etc, space for other activities.
          
          I've suggested Donington before. The grassed park/camp areas are on the reverse slope away from the circuit, so they are relatively quiet compared to Silverstone. But I'm going far too fast - first reach out to the other Triumph Clubs.
          
          In fact we may be pushing at an open door. On the TRR BB ( http://www.tr-register.co.uk/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard... ), there is similar comment about MG Silverstone, even though the TRR International at Malvern was on the same weekend.
          
          John
          PS that link is to a thread that is primarily about 'Modified Concourse'!