SUZI HART-BANKS CAR 4 Since I won my first Kart race, aged 19 I have had an ambition to reach the top in this male dominated sport. F1 World Champion, Indy 500 and Le Mans 24 hour are all targets to be aimed for, but should I falter, at least I can still make a damn good apple pie - not many men can say that! It has to be said though, the feelings I get from winning a race somewhat surpass pulling a successful souffli from the oven.

In 1998 I am joining the all new MGF Cup, which looking down the driver line-up promises to be a very competitive year. This will not be my first relationship with a racing M.G., I had that pleasure in 1995. I competed in the BCV8 Championship (ironically against my father - Warwick Banks!) in a class C 1965 MGB V8 taking it to 9 wins, 9 fastest laps, 5 pole positions and 4 lap records - in my book there isn't a better car to learn in. In 1996 and 1997 I competed in a Ginetta G27, finishing 4th and 2nd overall respectively, both exciting years.

This year will be the toughest and most important so far. I am up against 26 men, most of whom have more experience, and I intend to be running up at the front. I will let you know the details of the first 2 rounds in next months issue, meantime, if any readers have any questions they would like to ask, please write in.

PIERS JOHNSON CAR 11 The first time I drove the 1998 MGF Cup car was on March 19th, the official test day at Silverstone. This was to be my first experience of a rearwheel drive racing car, it was also a big day for all the sponsors 'Priests of Chesham', 'Harman/Kardon' and 'OPC Ltd.' to see the car in livery, and to meet each other.

Silverstone round 1 - After qualifying third in the rain on the Saturday. The weather improved through and come race time the track was completely dry. After making a bad start, coming out of the first corner seventh. I was able to work my self up to fourth and stay there to the finish.

Oulton Park Round 3 - Unfortunately I had an engine failure on the Saturday test day. This meant a new engine was fitted in the early hours of Sunday morning. The new engine firing for the first time around 10am. During qualifying the new engine had an intermittent misfire, only allowing time to qualify fifteenth. The team changed a few components to try and fix the misfire, but after racing to twelth the engine still had a misfire.

Since then, we have had a test day at Silverstone, curing the misfire and finishing the day third quickest. Now lying in fifth in the championship and very much looking forward to the next round.

As he took the podium, a jubilant James Rhodes said: "It's a good circuit for overtaking and fortunately for me some of the drivers in front of me made a few mistakes which allowed me through. It was hard work all the way but it was great fun!"

He continues: "It's really satisfying to win the first race of a one-make championship. I am delighted with the M.G. package - the right kit and all the right people in the right places. I've got a chance to show what I can do."

Guest driver Tiff Needell of BBC Top Gear finished sixth following a running battle with Rob Mears in the final lap. Despite spinning off on the first lap, Ray Armes rejoined the race to finish 17th. There were six non-finisher's, Mark Jones the first to retire on lap two with a mechanical problem likely to stem from throttle trouble during practice, and Nigel Reubens race ending on lap six following a hefty knock to the rear.

Kelly continued: "The seasons wide open - there could be a different winner at every round but it's great to win this early on in the year because it shows I can run at the right pace".

The 1st lap proved dramatic, with Don Kettleborough (Southam) spinning off at Druids. He made contact with John Copper (Sutton Coldfield) but both continues to finish 17th and 14th respectively. This was followed on the 2nd lap by an event just after Paddock Hill Bend when Dave Loudoun (Penshore) spun into the gravel and retired and Stephen Warburton (Malvern) hit the pit wall, creating an obstacle for the remainder of the race. Nigel Orange (Leatherhead) made his debut at Brands Hatch but was forced to retire on this 4th lap following an earlier spin. Despite a promising start from local boy Bill Sollis (Sevenoaks) spun off at Druids on the 7th lap, dropping back from 4th to 16th. He went some way to make recovery, crossing the finish line in 10th position.

The first corner again proved eventful with Nigel Orange (Leatherhead) and John Cooper (Sutton Coldfield) spinning off onto the grass. Both were able to rejoin and the only other incidents were minor shunts. Mick Mercer (Alton, Hampshire) was forced to retire following a shunt on lap 3, as was David Mason on lap 9. Matthew Kelly (Northampton) winner from the last round at Brands Hatch was forced to retire on lap 3.

"I expected the first laps to be tricky," said a jubliant Rhodes "coming from single seaters there's an extra bit on one side of the car but basically I drive it like I would a single seater and that seems to work". Talking about his race dominance Rhodes said the rest of the field "They'll just have to try to keep up with me!".

Andy Ackereley (Wadhurst, East Sussex) made his race debut from 21st on the grid and managed to move up the field to finish in 10th position. He said" I like the car - we made a good start after a lousy practice when we had a couple of things go wrong in the car. We won back some places but then hit a couple of kerbs too hard so it was simply a question of holding my position".

Rhodes took the fastest lap at 1:56.959 at an average of 85.44 mph to further his lead in the championship.

RAY ARMES CAR 98 It was time to put the disappointment behind us as we headed for round 3 at Oulton Park. With 10 corners, consisting of a hairpin, 2 hairpin, 2 tight chicanes and a 'flat in fifth' left hander, testing before the meeting was crucial.

Finding myself 2 seconds of the fastest driver, meant the difference between pole position and 20th! So I took the brave (or was it foolish?) decision to put one of the 'quick boys' in the car - was it me or the car? it was a anxious time as I stood on the pit wall watching 'my' car driven for 3 'quick' laps. The times were no quicker - what a relief!

It did, however, reveal our problem. The car's brake servo was inoperative. Since day one I had complained of poor brakes, but was reassured by AP (the brake manufacturers) that "they would get better".

Examination revealed a split seal inside the servo. Are the brakes any better? Well, I nearly hit the screen first time I tired them! The car was totally different to drive, all I needed now was 'time' in the car to learn a new technique.

Starting from another lowly grid position, I had to go for it! Chaos ensured at the first corner, with cars bouncing off of each other I avoided a spinning car. In the first few laps, I practically stopped three times avoiding other drivers accidents. The rest of the field had now disappeared into the distance - and with it any chance of scoring any points.

Thus far, it's been the worst start of any season I've had (now I know how Damon feels!).

I'm determined to give Team Trident a 'rostrum' result, so fingers crossed for Silverstone, and as they say "things can only get better!"

ANNE TEMPLETON CAR 27 In spite of torrential rain early on, the Brands Hatch conditions were dry enough for slicks in both qualifying and the race. I found the MGF much more fun to drive on this undulating circuit than at Silverstone - this car certainly likes a bit of camber.

James Rhodes grabbed pole position with the next 13 behind him within a second so with such a closely matched field it was inevitable there would be plenty of incidents. Five cars did some synchronised spinning at Druids on the first lap and I flat spotted my tyres trying to avoid them all. It took me over half a minute to extricate myself from the road block but I was way down the field so what the heck. Suzi Hart Banks and Steve Warburton tangled on the exit of Clearways leaving Steven's car smashed into the pit wall at the start of the straight where it remained for the duration of the race.

The usual gung-ho approach to taking Paddock Hill bend was inhibited after the first lap by the sight of Dave Loudoun's car parked in the gravel at the bottom. Surprising that no attempt was made to get this to safety.
Fastest lap was Rhodes (52.488) which was quicker than the Porsches could manage. By all accounts it was a great race for the spectators and as the field gets closer in the coming races it will certainly get more exciting..