MGA at Le Mans

“L’Aventure Le Mans”

In 1955 the MGA made its first public appearance at the Le Mans 24 hour race. Three aluminium bodied cars ran in the race with two finishing, in 12th and 17th places. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the event and the introduction of the MGA the run from Abingdon to Le Mans was re-enacted.

The cars left Abingdon on 13th June to follow the likely route of the works cars to Folkestone. Before setting out Brian Moylan, one of the former works mechanics gave drivers and passengers had the opportunity to visit the old Competitions and Rectification buildings. Those that visited the units thought it fitting that they are now occupied by a high tech engineering company. That evening at Folkestone a buffet was held at the Burlington Hotel, where the drivers and mechanics had met for dinner in 1955.

Tuesday dawned with an early morning ferry across to France for most. One driver and passenger, Bob Cole and Mike Sparks, missed their ferry because they were forced off the road by a Czech lorry. Thankfully both Bob and Mike were unhurt. The car, though battered and with some bodywork secured by tape, was driveable so they made the next ferry.

Most teams headed to Hucqueliers for a buffet lunch organised by the MG Club de France, where they were joined by a number of French MGAs. After lunch the cars split into two groups, one heading for a tour through Normandy and the other direct to Le Mans.

On Wednesday both groups met at Argentan, which is twinned with Abingdon to look at an MG exhibition organised by Brian Moylan. Brian had originally created the exhibition for the Abingdon Museum in 2003 where a member of the MG Club de France had seen it and asked for it to be displayed in Argentan. Brian agreed but with the proviso that it would not be until 2005 and during the Le Mans race week. Over 30 MGAs were present and following a parade around the town a civic reception was held.

Thursday saw all the cars in or around Le Mans. The morning was spent visiting the Chateau Chene de Couer in the village of St Pavace where the 1955 team had stayed. This gave the opportunity to recreate some of the period photographs and meet the current RML Lola MG team that were taking part in this year’s race. The afternoon gave the opportunity to go watch qualifying for the Le Mans Legends race, in which Mabel (MBL867 the 1955 ex Nancy Mitchell works rally car) was taking part. Unfortunately a loose generator bolt bent the fan and damaged the radiator at the very end of the practice period, but all was repaired the following day.

Friday morning was spent at St Saturnin for their annual British Classic event, where there was the opportunity to drool over a large number of interesting and exotic cars.


MaBeL and SRX in the paddocks	Jim Cox posing with the Le mans replica	MaBeL qualifying

Saturday was hot, dusty and, of course, race day. For most of our tour the highlight of this was the one hour Le Mans Legend race. Part of the support team for Mabel was Jim Cox, a member of the 1955 works team. There was great happiness that Mabel finished second in class, beaten only by a surprisingly fast 2 litre Frazer Nash. However at the end of the race as she was waiting to come back into the paddock Mabel was shunted by the car behind and into the car in front.

This was the last part of the MGA part of the week, but we still had the 24 hour race to watch before people went their separate ways. But I am sure we all left with our memories and our own particular adventures, which will probably be revealed over time. Apart from Bob and Mike’s accident we had a couple of duff coils (including one on Mabel as she approached Le Mans), at least one car ran out of petrol, a dead dynamo, keys locked in a support vehicle and, I am sure, more. As for me? I had no untoward incidents whilst on tour, but got home to find a faulty burglar alarm and no hot water!

Thanks go to Bob West for sponsoring the event, Steve Dixon for running Mabel in the Legends race and George Dutton and Christian Lissot (of the MG Club de France) for organising a successful event.

Russell Hudson, MGA register

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Bob West, Jim Cox and I were amazed at the turn-out from everyone, for the support (moral & practical) we received and for the privilege of representing MGA. I know that young Jimmy Cox will never forget it. For those who may want to know we had a good result ~ 2nd in the < 2-litre class ~ and then only to the 1953 Frazer-Nash Sebring (only 3 made, all for racing, with a 2-litre 6-cylinder Bristol engine). Some of you may know that we were rammed on the exit from the pit-lane after the race. This pushed us into the car in front as we all queued so we have front & rear bends. Anyway, the guilty party, who was only " waving to his friends" has, 3 days later, finally accepted his liability I'm glad to say. Took the gloss off at the time though. If you go to www.motorracinglegends.com you can see the overall results.
Now we have to get MaBeL ready for an upcoming magazine article and then Silverstone.
Once again, thanks to everyone.

Steve Dixon

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