Sheila's First Run - 2nd Fastest Lady

Dave Noble setting the pace in EX121 Mk2

Dave running over his own shadow!

The dreaded cone which destroyed EX121's 2nd place position

Douglas's smooth run puts EX121 Mk2 in a strong position

Douglas also runs over his own shadow!

Expectation!

Jubilation!

Commiseration!

Results

Position

Names

Score

Car

1st

Caroline & Mike Hewson

97 - 38 miles

MG 11/4 litre

2nd

John & Sandra Simpson

97 - 41 miles

Mini

3rd

Kerry James + Katie Best

95 - 38 miles

MGF

4th

Trev & Viv Steadman

94 - 42 miles

MGTF

5th

Kevin Pateman & Ian Mackenzie

90 - 34 miles

MGB

6th

Roger & Anne O'Neill

85 - 44 miles

MGTF

Congratulations to the Autotest Winners!
Left to Right: Bruce Cox MGB V8 (2nd overall/2nd Sports Car)
Chris Smalley MGB (4th overall/3rd Sports Car)
Nigel Pack MG Midget (Best Time of the Day/1st Sports Car)
Sheila Laurence MGB (2nd Lady)
Ena Fox MGB (3rd overall/1st Lady)
Fran Noble MG Midget (3rd Lady)
Bryan Pack MGZS (6th overall/1st Saloon Car)
Trev Steadman MGTF (5th overall)
Photos courtesy of John Laurence

Autumn Autotest Results

Place

Name

Car

Time

Overall

1st

Nigel Pack

Midget

379.41

2nd

Bruce Cox

MGBV8

384.81

3rd

Ena Fox

MGB

405.35

4th

Chris Smalley

MGB

405.93

5th

Trev Steadman

MGTF

406.78

6th

Bryan Pack

MGZS

407.41

Sports Car Class

1st

Nigel Pack

Midget

379.41

2nd

Bruce Cox

MGBV8

384.81

3rd

Chris Smalley

MGB

405.93

Ladies Class

1st

Ena Fox

MGB

405.35

2nd

Sheila Laurence

MGB

427.45

3rd

Fran Noble

Midget

450.87

Saloon Cars & T types classes

1st

Bryan Pack

MGZS

407.41

2nd

Lee Bankhurst

Mini

446.27

3rd

Andrew Murfin

MGTD

450.56

MGTF 500LE Launch
Victor Woods Grantham

The Orange MGTF 500LE (above) is the demonstrator.

A busy day for the sales team with the White MGTF 500LE being sold at 9.30 a.m.!

Thanks to Robert and Hazel Taylor for the supply of the MGA and MGTF which was the last off the line!

40s Night LAHC

Photo above shows (left to right) Peter W, Jane - Mimi LeBonq, Peter H - Officer Crabtree, David - Rene Artois, Jean - Denise Laroque, Veronica - Yvette Carte-Blanche, Peter E - Flying Officer Carstairs

Photo below shows the original TV
Mimi LeBonq - Sue Hodge - being introduced to our own version of Cafe owner Rene Artois, whose moustache some felt was not quite in keeping with the occasion!

Vintage Sports Car Club
Cadwell Park Race Meeting

Local driver Warwick Banks competed successfully at the VSCC Cadwell Park event taking 2nd place behind an ERA R4D in the Shuttleworth, Nuffield & Len Thompson Memorial Trophies in his 1954 1971cc Cooper Bristol T23.
Photo courtesy of Sheila Laurence.

Elite - the most difficult Concours Class to judge - so many lovely cars . . .

Special thanks to Mike & Caroline for all their hard work making this a very special MGCC day for so many people; to Chris Hunt-Cooke for presenting the awards and to all the Judges and Helpers for their sterling efforts; it was pouring with rain when we were setting up the gazebos!
(Photos above courtesy Sheila Laurence)

Below are a selection of the wonderful photos from Richard Sivill's camera lens . . .

Revesby Country Fair

A warm welcome awaits MG enthusiasts - thanks to everyone who helped!

How to enjoy your Sunday morning crossword . . .

Abundant Octogans . . .

MGFest08 - 26 & 27 July 2008
Heritage Motor Centre Gaydon

Photos by Sheila Laurence & aerial views by David Griffiths

Arriving at Warwick Days Inn - John MGF, Anne & Rog MGTF, Rach & Pete MGF

The rain stayed away despite clouds drifting across the sky . . .

Thanks to everyone who entered the event and to Kevin and his team of helpers for their organisation.

"It was a great day and" says Kevin "We'll be back in 2009 - there will be a couple of tweaks to the organisation making it even better . . . "

Picture left . . .

David Smart had only been an MG Car Club member for a few days!

He brought his MGTA to MG Day at Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and was judged "The MG I would most like to own" by the Panton Brothers.

Arthur Pell receives his 3rd Place Rosette from Harold Panton

Nick Platek receives his 2nd Place Rosette from Harold Panton

New member David Smart receives his 1st Place Rosette and LAHC Award from Harold Panton.

Photos courtesy of Sheila Laurence

Peter Hermite is thrilled to receive his "Ticket to Ride" from Harold Panton. Peter won the prize draw which raised funds for EX121 & EX121MKII our Downhill Racers. He will enjoy a Taxi Ride in "Just Jane", the LAHC Avro Lancaster.

Arthur Pell with his Primrose MGB

Nick Platek with his YB Saloon

David Smart with his MGTA
MG of the Day

Greg Thornton with his ZB Varitone
The Rover Club's Car of the Show!

John Hebb shows us the view through his camera lens at the California Cup Autotest -
lots of fun and some expert driving skills demonstrated by the Lincolnshire Centre members.

Rob Ely's camera lens saw different aspects of the Silverstone Weekend . . .

A close up of the Nuffield Gold Cup Trophy showing the inscription

Club Chairman John Day (right) presents to Nuffield Gold Cup Trophy to Lincolnshire Centre Chairman John Laurence

Lincolnshire Centre members pose with the Gold Cup

John Payne points to where the Speckled Hen will go

Even the Club Chairman sampled "Gold Cup" Speckled Hen! . . .

We turned the tables on Rob Ely and Julia took this picture . . .

And finally, a look through Rob's MGCGT's windscreen during the Parade Laps of Silverstone . . .

Hot sunshine + a gentle breeze + pristine MGs from the 1950s to the 2000s + picturesque Brayford Wharf =
A successful Lincoln MG Day!
Thank you to everyone who came along and said "Hello"

It was a "Wheely" super day!
Photos courtesy of John Laurence.

This view of Brayford Wharf North from the top of Lucy Tower shows the colourful MGs contrasting with the picturesque marina. Lincoln Business Improvement Group marquee (foreground) provided a focal point for visitors to find out more about this great club of ours.
Photo taken by Sheila Laurence.

A great time was had by all at the Holland Brothers Trophy Rally which started at "The Village Limits" Woodhall Spa. Just around the corner, cars stopped to continue the plotting (right)
Thanks to Mike & John for a very interesting Rally . . .
The winners were 1st Robert & Hazel Taylor MGTF (below left and centre below right), 2nd John & Sheila Laurence MGF and 3rd Overall & 1st Novice John & Sandra Simpson Mini 1000 (below right). Photos courtesy of Richard & Stella Sivill

4th Alan & Jill Cook MGB, 5th Bill & Janet Sharp MGTF160, 6th Kerry James & H Fuller MGF

Invitation Autotest Sunday 18 May 2008

Jordan's expression "Yes!" in his newly acquired MG Metro
sums up the day at East Kirkby Airfield - it's good to be back!
These photographs were taken by new MGCC member, Tim Hoff, who also drove his MGF 1600 at the event.

Overall Results
BTD 1st Nigel Pack MG Midget 311.26
2nd Bruce Cox MGBV8 328.68
3rd John Laurence MGB 328.82
4th Sheila Laurence MGB 337.15
5th Chris Smalley MGB 348.07
6th Dave Noble Midget 350.31

Saloons, MMM & T types
1st Andrew Murfin TD 378.09
2nd Jordan Fox MG Metro 497.32
3rd John Collier MG Montego 497.63

Sports Car Class
1st Nigel Pack MG Midget 311.26
2nd Bruce Cox MGBV8 328.68
3rd John Laurence MGB 328.82

Ladies Class
1st Sheila Laurence MGB 337.15
2nd Fran Noble Midget 370.93
3rd Ena Fox MGB 380.77

MGs line up for the first test at the Invitation Autotest at
East Kirkby Airfield on Sunday 18 May
To see and hear what an Autotest looks like click here
(it takes a few minutes to load - please be patient . . .)

Chris Smalley (right) receives his Novice Award for the
Silverstone International Autotests 2007 from
Competition Secretary Mike Hewson.
Photo courtesy of Sheila Laurence

MGs were guided to Gunby Hall by the Lincolnshire Centre's new Banner Flag . . .

It all started on 'National Drive Your Classic Day 2007' when John & Sheila Laurence drove their 1970 MGB roadster to Gunby Hall to celebrate this special day in the Spring sunshine.

A year of planning was to follow, led by David Stonehouse and supported by a willing band of helpers. Ray & Claire Ayres, custodians of Gunby Hall, pulled out all the stops to make the preparations easy and the day run like clockwork.

MGs from all over the country came to see this lovely National Trust property.

A choice of scenic drives from each corner of Lincolnshire arrived at Gunby Hall in time for lunch. There was a "Landlord's Choice" Pride of Ownership, a Treasure Hunt including an opportunity to stroll around the gardens and also a Guided Tour of the house. Soup, Tea & Coffee on Arrival, followed by Lunch & Afternoon Tea were provided at Gunby Hall.

Jeff Townsend receives his Landlord's Choice Winning MG Rosette from Claire Ayres

Mr & Mrs Jeff Townsend with their Landlord's Choice winning MGTB

Photos courtesy of Adrian Clifford

Douglas Samuel receives his Other Makes Landlord's Choice Winner Rosette from Claire Ayres

To find details on our 2009 event for National Drive Your Classic Day, please click here

Caroline Hewson wondering "Did anyone bring Water Skis?"

• Winners Overall and of the National Class at the Belchford Downhill Challenge on Sunday 14 September 2008
• The only team to score under 5 minutes for 5 Runs
• Winning Time 298.14 seconds.

Fastest Lady Caroline Hewson EX121 with her Cup & Rosette

An open day was held on Saturday 20 September 2008 making Victor Wood of Grantham one of the first dealerships in the country to offer the public the opportunity to see the new MGTF LE500 sports car at close quarters.

Dealer Principal, Pat Oldham, said, “When the MG TF was last available, it was the most popular small sports car in the country. Now re-designed, re-engineered & built in Britain and with a level of specification that is well above its competitive set, we expect the LE500 to quickly regain that position.”

Interest in the new MG has been unprecedented and early reviews of its performance have re-assured enthusiasts and new drivers alike that the TF has lost none of its road appeal. The LE500 designation will only be given to the first 500 individually numbered cars which will be entirely hand built. The resulting vehicles will be some of the highest quality product to ever leave the world famous Longbridge production line.

A mixture of pent up demand and great value has meant that nearly 400 of the LE500 cars have already been sold. Many people are expected to come to the open day simply to witness the re-launch of one of the best known and loved brands in British motoring. A lucky few will walk away with a new car that will instantly become one of the most contemporary collectables on the road today.

Two classic MGs were provided by MG Car Club members to enhance the experience - a red MGA and the last of the MG Rover MGTFs in a pretty shade of blue.
Our thanks to Robert & Hazel for supplying the cars.

To download a copy of the launch poster please click here
To navigate to the MGTF LE500 page and see more photos from the event, please click here

Congratulations to the Autotest Winners!
Left to Right: Bruce Cox MGB V8 (2nd overall/2nd Sports Car)
Chris Smalley MGB (4th overall/3rd Sports Car)
Nigel Pack MG Midget (Best Time of the Day/1st Sports Car)
Sheila Laurence MGB (2nd Lady)
Ena Fox MGB (3rd overall/1st Lady)
Fran Noble MG Midget (3rd Lady)
Bryan Pack MGZS (6th overall/1st Saloon Car)
Trev Steadman MGTF (5th overall)
Photos courtesy of John Laurence

Ted Whitaker collected his MGTF 500LE on Friday 26 September in Kent and drove to Lincolnshire . . .
On his way to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, he brought "MG58 TED" to the Autotest to check out the Lincolnshire Centre.
We hope to see you again soon, Ted . . .
Photo courtesy of Peter Ellis

Thanks to the organisers and marshals for making this such a great day. Special thanks to John & Dave Noble for bringing along the gazebo etc to keep us warm and dry. The tests may have been found in a certain person's loft but they certainly weren't 'old hat' as they even caught out that certain person!!
To see the Provisional Results click here

David Smart had only been an MG Car Club member for a few days!

He brought his MGTA to MG Day at Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and was judged
"The MG I would most like to own"
by the Panton Brothers.

Photos by Sheila Laurence.

See more on the Gallery Page.

Thanks to everyone who entered the event and to Kevin and his team of helpers for their organisation. It was a great day and Kevin says we'll be back in 2009 - there will be a couple of tweaks to the organisation making it even better . . .

There was much excitement as the winner of the prize draw to win a Taxi Run in Avro Lancaster "Just Jane" was picked out by Harold Panton. The much deserved winner was Peter Hermite, who has done so much work on EX121 and EX121 MKII, our Downhill Gravity Racers. The tickets for the draw included a DVD of the 2008 Belchford Downhill and the Booklet "Five Go Down Hill Fast". You can still buy a copy by contacting David @ pognob@dfn7.fsworld.co.uk or Peter @ PETERRELLIS@MSN.COM