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"Equipe"GTS
The full story . . . . .
. . . . . In Pictures
Following consistent dissatisfaction of the club racing scene in Britain for smaller engined - historic cars, our story starts in Paris during June 2002 when, thanks to Rayon D'Action, we held our first ever event on this fabulous, now closed banked Montlhery - Autodrome.
Pre-Grid / Montlhery 2002
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This first ever THEMGTEAM event boasted the biggest grid of FIA registered MGBs ever seen. Obviously the race promoters Christophe Wilmart and Jim Lowry had captured the imagination and support of many "Historic" MG racers.
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Colin Pearcy leads Nick van Gils off the banking. Montlhery 2002
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Barry Sidery Smith brought along his Ex-LeMans MGB DRX 255C
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The 2003 season was a huge learning curve for the organising team, not helped by several unfulfilled promises from other individuals and car clubs, however, the enthusiasm of the group and competitors overshadowed any disharmonies and a season's programme of four races at Spa Francorchamps, Silverstone and a "Double Header" at Clermont Ferrand was welcomed and greatly enjoyed by all.
The three leaders. Silverstone 2003
THEMGTEAM was adopted as a title for the series and although this name appeared to be unpopular with certain UK car clubs, it was welcomed by those in Europe and especially MG/Rover France who gave us their full support.
Other models from the MG range were invited and it soon became clear that other makes of historic cars were keen to join the growing popularity of the series.
No less than four Ex-Works MGs supported us at Clermont Ferrand including Dave and Nickie Saunders superb MGB - 6 DBL
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James Willis - Ex Works MG Midget Coupe
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More excellent events followed during the 2004 season including races at Donington Park, Oulton Park and Silverstone in the UK, plus the GP circuit at Zandvoort the very emotional closing event to be held at the Montlhery Autodrome.
A full grid of 45 THEMGTEAM cars packed onto the famous Montlhery banking for the very last time.
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A bold step was taken at the start of the 2005 season with a change of name to "Equipe"GTS and a full 6 event series of events were planned, some with double headers, longer distance and "Pit-Stop" races.
Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Snetterton and Mallory Park in England along with Dijon and a popular return to the Zandvoort GP circuit.
A brand new set of regulations had to be drawn up along with a list of eligible cars.
To make things fair, some more powerful cars were obliged to run on the cross ply Dunlop Historic tyres while other cars may use any 70 series road tyre.
End Result; Full quality grids all season.
Thanks to everyone.
Jim and Christophe,
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Some pictures from the 2005 season
Tony Wilson Spratt - WSM MGB
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Colin Elstrop driving the Ex 1964 Le Mans Triumph Spitfire
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Dion Kremer / Morgan Plus4 leading Neil Howe / Triumph TR4
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Tom Smith. Outright winner in 6 of the 7 "Equipe"GTS races during 2005
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Oliver Bryant. Fastest lap at Snetterton but British GT commitments prevented him for driving in most other races.
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John Andon's TR4 takes Jim Lowry in the WSM MG Midget.
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Another regular "Equipe"GTS Driver. Keith Hampson's ex-Le Mans Sunbeam Alpine.
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Andrew Actman / Sebring Sprite and Brian Arculus / Lotus Elite
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Superb Elva Courier driven by Spadge Hopkins
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Oliver Bryant kept Neil Howe very busy at Snetterton
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Malcolm Johnson and Rob Cull in MGBs level with Clive Cocks's WSM Sprite.
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Nick Smith's beautiful Alfa Romeo GTA
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Rod Begbie's TVR Grantura Mk3.
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Graham Bates in his MGB leads the way from Helen Elstrop's Triumph Spitfire.
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Allan Ross Jones in the TR4 noses in front of James Cottingham's MGB
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Zandvoort Grid
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Pictures from the 2006 season
Brian Lambert leads the pack at Donington.
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Simon Watson TR4 holds off David Beresford's MGB
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John Palmer lifts a wheel in Dave and Nikki Saunder's Ex-Works MG Midget.
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Chris Dady debuts his Elva Courier Fastback Coupe at Oulton Park.
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Can't get much closer racing than this ?
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"Equipe"GTS return to Spa Francorchamps - August 2006.
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Rod Begbie's TVR Grantura, Ron Cody's MGA and Trevor Kemp's Elva Courier.
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Ex Grand Prix driver Jan Lammers shows us "how it's done" at Zandvoort.
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Jan Lammers looks happy enough receiving his class winner's award.
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Brian Arculus's Lotus Elite with Paul Freeman and Simon Gurney's MGs at Dijon Prenois
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More close racing on the excellent Dijon Prenois ex- F1 GP circuit
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.More pictures from the 2007 season
Front Running car in 2007 - Malcolm Johnson's superb TVR Grantura Mk3
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,Special bodied WSM Sprite and Ex Works MG Midget Coupe.
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Simon Gurney leads Ron Cody's MGA at Zolder in early May.
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Mike Bell debuts his Gilbern 1800GT at Snetterton in April.
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Rain-soaked MGCC Silverstone in Mid Summer, with friends old and new.
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Equipe"GTS welcomed Paul Woolmer's superb Ex-Sprinzell PMO 200 at Silverstone.
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To celebrate 45 years of the MGB - A very wet "Heritage 45" race for Equipe"GTS drivers.
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Another very special welcome for Michael Darcy in his ex Sebring MGBGT
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A great display despite the very poor weather at MGCC Silverstone International
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Consistent front runner; Neil Howe at Le Mans- Bugatti in his immaculate Triumph TR4
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More close "Equipe"GTS Racing at the Scottish Classic Speedfair at Knockhill
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Scottish Classic Speedfair "Equipe"GTS debut for John Hopwood in his Austin Healey Sprite
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Bye for now . . . . . . See you again next year . . . . . .
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