MG Owners Club Racing Championship 2001

Qualifying Session Results

Class A Race Result

The result of todays race would determine who was to be the 2001 Class A champion. The two main contenders being Gary Smith and Lorraine Clark. Both drivers capable of taking the honours. Gary Smith did not get the start he would have hoped for, while Gathercole, Amphlett and Baynam did rather better! As Gathercole, in the black MG Midget, pulled away we witnessed a tremendous battle of the B's fought between Amphlett and Baynam. Both drivers see-sawed between second and third place, with Baynam eventually getting the better of David Amplhett's Black & White (Guiness) MGB. Other action on the first lap as the title contenders Clark and Smith tangled together at the 'Old Hairpin'. Gary Smith's car suffered some damage and was unable to continue, while Lorraine Clark continued to the chequred flag, finishing in sixth place, claiming the 2001 Class A championship. Without wishing to appear sexist, I must mention that Lorraine is first lady champion of the series - Congratulations! Gary Smith of 'Summit MG' of course was very very dissapointed, but without doubt is a future champion! It took Jim Baynam sometime before he realised that he in fact was now the championship runner up! I could not resist a post race interview with Lorraine Clark who in traditional style had a whole host of people to thank! "I am absolutely delighted that in this, my last year at MG Owners Club racing, I could finish on such a high note. I must acknowledge that a great deal of the credit belongs to David Gathercole who has meticulously prepared the car, and me! throughout the year. Other people I would like to thank include: Terry Farman, who encouraged me into the sport, and whom I still miss a great deal My husband Terry, for masses of support and encouragement throughout my 6 years of racing Son Daniel, who rarely comes to watch these days, far too boring, but I know goes to school bragging about his mother My parents who come along to support when they can, or when there is a market nearby! And, of course my fellow competitors, without whom there would be no race Next year I shall be competing in Europe in my Coldwell, but intend keeping a very close eye on the championship that saw me through my 'apprenticeship'. I wish everyone great racing, lots of fun and a very full social life 'cos that's what the owners club has meant to me"

Class B & F Race Result

This was another great race, though we had to wait quite a few hours to watch it as it was the last race of the day! But what a climax to the day, firstly we witnessed at great class A race, then a varied race program provided more good racing. but the best was yet to come!! The MG Maestros are famed for their close racing and its never a dull moment with the likes of Nick Evans. Andy Campbell, James Perry and Jim Edwards Jnr, (not the British Touring car driver?) Yes Jim Edwards whos career has involved a spell in MG's returned to the circuit driving Steve Grays car. Edwards qualified ninth after completing just one circuit in the earlier practice session and would be looking to move up a few places! Another driver who had a point to prove was Darryl Davis. Fellow competitor Peter St Barbe lent Darryl a set of control tyres (PSB now owns Darryls previous MGF race car). Davis was fired up for win now he had a good set of tyres. Someone very close to Darryls heart had teased him about not being able to win from the back of the grid!! Davis aimed to prove her wrong!! Everyone got away fairly well, but with an early retirement from Peter St Barbe as he planted his MGF into the gravel at 'Redgate' With the usaul jostling for positions up at the front Darryl Davis, who started at the back of the grid, was making up places fast and furious! Early leaders included Evans and Perry This race fielded no less than five MGFs, (now minus one in the gravel at 'Redgate') Malcolm Gammons of Brown & Gammons was making his debut appearance in Class F and went on to pick up a trophy for finishing third in class. As the race progressed we lost a further three drivers, Paul Stanworth, Robin Walker and Nick Golhar. On about lap seven Davis caught up with Jim Edwards and pushed so hard that Edwards set a new lap record for class B cars, a record which had stood for a number of years (7/8/94) and held by Terry Farman, driving a MG Montego. (1m 33.74s @ 75.15 mph). Davis did get past Edwards and went on to pass several more cars on his way to a second place behind another well deserved win from James Perry.

Lorraine CLARK   184

Jim BAYNAM       179 

Gary SMITH       167

Nick EVANS       212 

Andy CAMPBELL    184 

James PERRY      181

Michael WEIDNER  118

Philip COOK      104 

Ian EVANS         97

A Circuit Map
Circuit length 1.9573 miles

Credits - Text Compiled by Kelvin Fagan.

Photography by Kelvin Fagan, all images are copyright.

The author welcomes comments and contributions from competitors or spectators

The MGOC Drivers Webpages

MGOC Race Calendar 2001