Re: MG Live
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:19 pm
Well the sun shone most of the time and the rain held off for Saturday and Sunday and we saw some good racing, Andy Green took fourth spot in the Thoroughbred Sports Car event, 2nd in class, and Paul Conway was 9th and 2nd in class, while Ulrich Vierhaus was 14th and Sharlie Goddard 17th. Will and Richard Plant shared the former's MGB in the 50th. Anniversary race coming home 19th out of 58 finishers, and there were some seriously quick MG's out there.
Richard was out again in the GTS Championship sharing Kupie Doll with the redoubtable Jack Bellinger, the duo finishing 20thth overall and first in Class '5', Jack just holding off the Foster/Brewer Triumph TR by 0.411 secs. a fine result. I suspect having dragged Sally along Jack felt he had to be the hero! (Breakfast in Bed, was it Jack?).
The Aero Challenge proved to be a real cracker, Richard Plant in the Class 'B' 4/4 he shares with Chas Mogridge, started from pole and took an early lead ahead of Matthew Wurr's Class 'A' Plus 8R, however, the superior 'grunt' of the Techniques prepared car told and Matthew went ahead on lap 3, but could not lose the more nimble Mogsport car, and so we were treated to a fabulous spectacle as they battled all around the Grand Prix circuit. Finally the pressure got to Wurr as he ran wide at Aintree allowing Plant to snatch the lead again. Not for long! The greater speed of the red car told and he drafted past into Copse Corner into a lead he would hold to the flag, it was only at Aintree Corner on the last lap that Richard, trying so hard, had to lift momentarily that allowed Matthew to win by nearly two seconds. Behind this pair Jerry Knight in his newly acquired Plus 8 ran a lonely third ahead of Andy Green, had Andy made a better start this might well have been an epic scrap as they both lapped at a similar speed, as it was it was Roger Whiteside and defending Champion, Tim Ayres who provided the next batch of excitement for the spectator, as they too fought tooth and nail over 5th. and 6th. place. Try as he might Tim could never quite get in front though he was rarely more than a a couple of inches from Roger's back bumper. (does Roger have a rear bumper?). Tim Harrison had little excitement in his life behind this pair in 7th, so it was left to Martin Watson and Kelvin Laidlaw to enliven proceedings behind again proving that you can race wheel-to-wheel without it ending in tears (cue Hamilton/Maldonado). Simon Baines had been at the party but dropped back a little towards the end possibly due to something connected with the hours he spent labouring over his Roadster in the paddock?
Ulrich Vierhaus eventually escaped a frantic scrap to take 11th spot leaving Sharlie Goddard, Philip Tisdall and Greg Dixon-Smith fighting between themselves over 12th, the lady eventually taking the place and Class 'C' honours, yet again. Brett Syndercombe was the last unlapped runner in his Aero 8. All-in-all a treat for race fans with Richard deservedly being judged 'Driver of the Race' by the commentators.
Many friendly faces around the paddock meant a great social occasion to add to the day with many WHaGs adorning the scene (Wives, Hangers-on and Guests) not to mention media types looking for sandwiches.
Sorry that the Mobile Tea Bike was not in action, but hot chicken soup was on offer, but had no takers. Pictures up on the usual site very shortly and copies available at bargain prices if not downloaded for free yourself.
See some of you at the Grand Prix perhaps or the Classic if not Bentley Drivers, in the meantime why not add your three pen'ath on the site.
Cheers,
Bob
Richard was out again in the GTS Championship sharing Kupie Doll with the redoubtable Jack Bellinger, the duo finishing 20thth overall and first in Class '5', Jack just holding off the Foster/Brewer Triumph TR by 0.411 secs. a fine result. I suspect having dragged Sally along Jack felt he had to be the hero! (Breakfast in Bed, was it Jack?).
The Aero Challenge proved to be a real cracker, Richard Plant in the Class 'B' 4/4 he shares with Chas Mogridge, started from pole and took an early lead ahead of Matthew Wurr's Class 'A' Plus 8R, however, the superior 'grunt' of the Techniques prepared car told and Matthew went ahead on lap 3, but could not lose the more nimble Mogsport car, and so we were treated to a fabulous spectacle as they battled all around the Grand Prix circuit. Finally the pressure got to Wurr as he ran wide at Aintree allowing Plant to snatch the lead again. Not for long! The greater speed of the red car told and he drafted past into Copse Corner into a lead he would hold to the flag, it was only at Aintree Corner on the last lap that Richard, trying so hard, had to lift momentarily that allowed Matthew to win by nearly two seconds. Behind this pair Jerry Knight in his newly acquired Plus 8 ran a lonely third ahead of Andy Green, had Andy made a better start this might well have been an epic scrap as they both lapped at a similar speed, as it was it was Roger Whiteside and defending Champion, Tim Ayres who provided the next batch of excitement for the spectator, as they too fought tooth and nail over 5th. and 6th. place. Try as he might Tim could never quite get in front though he was rarely more than a a couple of inches from Roger's back bumper. (does Roger have a rear bumper?). Tim Harrison had little excitement in his life behind this pair in 7th, so it was left to Martin Watson and Kelvin Laidlaw to enliven proceedings behind again proving that you can race wheel-to-wheel without it ending in tears (cue Hamilton/Maldonado). Simon Baines had been at the party but dropped back a little towards the end possibly due to something connected with the hours he spent labouring over his Roadster in the paddock?
Ulrich Vierhaus eventually escaped a frantic scrap to take 11th spot leaving Sharlie Goddard, Philip Tisdall and Greg Dixon-Smith fighting between themselves over 12th, the lady eventually taking the place and Class 'C' honours, yet again. Brett Syndercombe was the last unlapped runner in his Aero 8. All-in-all a treat for race fans with Richard deservedly being judged 'Driver of the Race' by the commentators.
Many friendly faces around the paddock meant a great social occasion to add to the day with many WHaGs adorning the scene (Wives, Hangers-on and Guests) not to mention media types looking for sandwiches.
Sorry that the Mobile Tea Bike was not in action, but hot chicken soup was on offer, but had no takers. Pictures up on the usual site very shortly and copies available at bargain prices if not downloaded for free yourself.
See some of you at the Grand Prix perhaps or the Classic if not Bentley Drivers, in the meantime why not add your three pen'ath on the site.
Cheers,
Bob
let's have a go at those MGB'S again. See you at Classic Le Mans for the battle of the series 1's but be gentle!!