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.
. Races
6 - 7
.
June 23rd -
24th
.
SILVERSTONE
"
INTERNATIONAL"
. 2
x 30 minute "Sprint" races One
Hour Overall Result. Plus
. . . . .
.
.
“Heritage
45”
30
Minute All MGB Race
,,
, 
, ., Equipe"GTS
returned to Silverstone for the annual MG extravaganza,
hosted by the MGCC and what has proved to be in previous
years, the biggest MG meeting in the World. An
action packed 3 day weekend, with not only car racing, but a
timed sprint, auto-tests, displays, trade stands, car spares and
autojumble, concours and very much more, typically attended from MG
enthusiasts from all over the World. If you have never been to
this meeting, take note; This is the big one ! , 
, For
the first of the 2 x 30 minute "Equipe"GTS
single driver races on
the 2.25mile International Silverstone circuit, considered by many
as the best circuit configuration at this venue, Tom Smith's MGB and
Mark Ashworth's TVR 1800S headed the grid for the start with the two
Triumph TR4s of John Andon and Neil Howe in close contention,
however it was Mark Ashworth who led from start to finish. The
weekend's final
result was to be determined by the adding of both races or heats to
determine the overall winner and with the grid lining up in the
finishing order of race one in pouring rain, it was Tom Smith's turn
to dominate, most likely helped by the MGBs' better wet weather
handling. Mark Ashworth slipped back to 9th at the flag allowing Neil Howe's TR4 to gain
second overall and taking fastest of the race. The
overall result then going to Tom Smith from Neil Howe and a
delighted Jerry Stock after a spirited drive in his own MGB taking
the third slot. - 
-
Among
this truly mouth-watering full to capacity grid, car spotters delighted
in seeing many genuine period historic race cars, many
with International racing histories, all beautifully prepared and raced with
vigour.
Sprite
and Midget enthusiasts were delighted to see no less than five very special cars in the list of runners, including two WSM Sprites
of Tony Wilson Spratt and Clive Cocks. Additionally, two ex-MG factory MG Midgets, those being the
special bodied Ex John Milne coupe of James Willis and
the more standard looking, but far from docile Ex works 1965 World
Sportscar series – Bridgehampton car, then driven by Rauno
Altenen, and at Silverstone driven with a similar verve by the very experienced MG racer John Palmer.
.
.
The
MGCC were particularly delighted and honoured to welcome Paul Woolmer
who drove his own unique piece of BMC history in possibly
the most famous racing Sprite or Midget of all time,
the ex John Sprizell, ex Stirling Moss Sebring Sprite;
PMO 200. Paul went on to take a very well deserved overall class honours
in his very first race in this most beautifully restored car.
.
.
.
.
Additionally,
two
Le Mans cars, the Triumph Spitfire ADU 1B in the small class
and
in the larger class
for cars up to 1650cc we welcomed Keith Hampson’s ex Sunbeam
factory and two times competitor in the Le Mans 24 hour Sunbeam
Alpine; 9201 RW. This actual car competed at the famous Sarth
circuit in both 1962 and 1963 plus various other International
events including the 1963 Tour de France.
-
-
- 
Additionally
and with thanks to British Motor Heritage Ltd, we celebrated 45 years of
the MGB, with extra 30 minute race purely for FIA and
period specification MGBs. The
"Heritage
45” . 
/ Again,
enthusiasts
were delighted to see two very special period re-bodied cars with
Bob Ridgard’s Jacques Coune Berlinetta and Tony Wilson
Spratt’s WSM with no less than six ex-factory cars among the
entries including 6 DBL , one of the ex works 1963 Sebring 12
hour cars
and DRX 255C
the Le Mans 24 hour works entry in 1965.
Anthony Binnington’s very early 1962 car OMO 70 was
actually the very first RHD MGB ever made, factory prepared, then owned
and raced by Anthony since the mid 1960s. Maurice Whelan
‘s Ex Windmill and Lewis car 222 WAE and James
Cottingham’s 2 GLL, the ex- Enever and Poole Guards
1000 car completed the ex-factory prepared roadster entries and we
were also delighted to make a special space on the grid for the one-off
factory MGB GT Sebring 12hour race car, LBL 591E driven
by the car’s ever enthusiastic owner Michael Darcey. So
much for famous period race cars, ex works driver; Warwick Banks
also joined in the fun with his own FIA prepared MGB. After
a wet qualifying, Tom Smith headed this superb grid of an
amazing 39 starters from brothers James and Jeremy
Cottingham with Simon Ashworth in close contention.
However, it was only one lap into the race when Tom Smith slowed and
retired from the running with an electrical malfunction. . 
. After
a race resembling a power boat race, James Cottingham took fastest
lap and the flag just two seconds ahead of brother Jeremy with Simon
Ashworth, David Beresford, Peter Edney, Mark Lambert and Ron Watt
following in that order. Driver
of the race was without doubt Barry Sidery Smith, starting from the
back of the grid after problems in qualifying, Barry steered his Ex
Le Mans car to a fine 8th overall demoting Martin Lewis and Stephen
Radcliffe to complete the top ten and Warwick Banks to 11th
position. .Drive . . We
would like to thank Mark and Joanne Field of Jigsaw Racing who kindly offered to support us
over the weekend and provided a BBQ supper
for all "Equipe"GTS
drivers and their
guests on the Saturday evening.
.
"Equipe"GTS
lap record
Mark
Ashworth TVR 1800S 1.43.99
- 23rd June 2007
-
.
For full
results see; http://www.msttiming.com
0
and see;
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=msuLV68luz4
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