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DONINGTON PARK 6TH JULY – 24 CARS WITH A WEEK TO GO
We are set for biggest grid this year with more entries to follow.
EQUIPE SUMMER RACE REPORT – MG CUP
Keith Egar made a great start in his slick-show Midget to take the lead from the second row of the grid at the start of the first Equipe MG Cup race, only lose ground and soon retire, Jake Fraser-Burns leading the pack at the end of lap one with Ian Boulton and Stuart Emmett in close attendance. Boulton looked inside the leader at Copse heading into lap four but Fraser-Burns held on, and a lap later it was Emmett right with Boulton there, the pair side-by-side through Maggots.
Emmett was into second in his ZR190, but the dicing behind had given the leader a crucial gap. Even a fastest race lap from Emmett right at the end couldn’t reel in the Fraser-Burns ZR190, and they finished in that order.
“That was good fun,” said Fraser-Burns, “I had Ian and Stuart chasing and Luckily I was able to hang onto the end – really enjoyable race!”
The Equipe MG Cup runners were back out on Sunday morning and again Fraser-Burns led them away this time able to pull away lap by lap to take an emphatic win and a fine Silverstone double despite a jump start penalty. Boulton ran second early on but flying through from the back of the grid was Dan Ludlow’s ZR190, gaining 18 places on the opening lap alone and up to fourth on lap two.
It took until lap five for Ludlow to close down Boulton and he took second going down the inside into Copse as they started lap six. Fraser-Burns was too far ahead to be challenged even with his time penalty and Ludlow had to settle for second – and fastest race lap – Boulton third from James Blake and the Rover 220 Tomcat of Andrew Burns.
“I think I was lucky with that, I was just rolling at the start and got a ten second penalty, said Fraser-Burns. “I really enjoyed the race though!”
Donington Park on July 6th is our next outing, already looking forward to as many of you as possible joining us on that popular circuit.
Countdown to Donington 2024
Following on from our successful visit to the Silverstone GP circuit, the countdown to our summer visit to Donington Park on 6th July has started. Entries have started to build nicely for our 2 races to make this what looks like one of our biggest grids of the year so far. Your entries as always can be placed on the dedicated Equipe Classic Racing drivers dashboard. We look forward to some close and competitive racing at what is arguably one of the best circuits in the UK.
Remember if your car doesn’t fit our current regulations but is in the spirit of the series, we have our invitation class just for you to experience the Equipe MGCup Series both on and off track. Contact us for more details.
WHAT A WEEKEND AT THE EQUIPE SUMMER CLASSIC
A great weekend of racing was had by all, thank you to our guest driver and 23 regulars for making the meeting. A full race report is to follow. Next round is Donington on the on the 6th July so if you like to join us DM or joinus@mgcup.com
EQUIPE SUMMER CLASSIC FEATURING MG CUP AT SILVERSTONE 8/9TH JUNE
The Equipe MG Cup runners have entertained at every meeting so far this season and have a 20-minute race each day at Silverstone for a strong field. Mark Wright won the opening rounds in style at Brands Hatch in March and returns in his slick-shod Class D MGF but will have plenty of opposition both in class and from across the field.
Keith Egar has been rapid in his Class D Midget, and is joined on slicks by Ian Boulton, who took second overall at Brands Hatch in Class B so should be quick this weekend. At the last two meetings it has been the Invitation class that has provided the winners, and a name that jumps out from that class is Dan Ludlow in his MG ZR190, a class and outright race winner in 2023, who is doing Sunday’s race.
Jack Chapman took a Class B win and second overall at Oulton Park last time out so should be a factor in that class and overall, while last year the race was won outright by a Rover 220 Tomcat Turbo, so watch out for the car of Andrew Burns. There is always plenty of action right down the field with so many of competitive drivers and cars in the field.
| It’s our first Equipe Summer Classic on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit this weekend and we have a great line up of racing instore at the famous venue. We have races over the two days featuring superb grids and some fantastic cars. A highlight has to be out Equipe Elan 60 race on Saturday marking the 60th anniversary of the Lotus Elan 26R with a strong grid of these rapid racers! Equipe GTS  With 61 entries across the weekend, Saturday’s Equipe GTS race opens our competitive action after a morning of qualifying, and they are out again on Sunday afternoon to provide their usual close and competitive racing. The MGBs are as usual out in force with 25 set for Saturday’s race, a host of regulars as well as new faces taking on the other marques. Alongside a host of familiar MGB racers we have TVR regular Lee Atkins in an MGB on this occasion and BCV8 front runner Russell McCarthy also joining the field in his FiA car. There will be plenty of opposition for the MGBs with a number of quick TVR Granturas, including one for Jack Willmott, and Marc Gordon with his Lotus Elite. John Alexander has gone well in his Austin Healey 100/S this season and David Wenman is always at the sharp end in the races with the family Morgan Plus 4. Equipe Elan 60  An undoubted highlight of our Silverstone weekend is the Equipe Elan 60 race, marking the sixtieth anniversary of the Lotus Elan 26R, one of the great club race cars form the 1960s – and through all the decades since. We have a great response to this race with a superb display of 26Rs who should put on a memorable display in their one-hour race on Saturday afternoon. Tom Smith has been entertaining in his 26R this season, winning at twice at Brands Hatch in the Equipe Libre season-opener and also winning at Oulton Park so will surely be a factor. Andrew Cahill has been first Elan home three times and twice on the overall podium, while Robin Ellis in his 26R Shapecraft claimed the class win on the Brands Hatch GP layout. The anniversary race sees some well-known drivers on the grid – former BTCC racer Rory Butcher shares a 26R with Ben Tinkler, while British GT ace James Dorlin forms part of a strong pairing with John Tordoff. Cameron Jackson has a reptation for being quick in classic single-seaters so the 26R should suit him and he shares with Murray Shephard, while the hugely experienced Michael Caine joins up with Equipe regular Brice White – a strong pairing! Equipe Libre  An outstanding Equipe Libre field of over 40-cars will be spectacular, with so many quick cars and drivers all the way down the order. The big V8s always grab the attention, but with a field ranging from a diminutive Mini to a might Ford Galaxie, there will be plenty for spectators, and the drivers, to enjoy during their two races. Six Cobras will be a feature, Graham Moss in his Daytona Coupe will be quick but is up against drivers such as David Methley and Jack Willmott to name just two. Neil Fisher and Larry Tucker have entered Mustangs, but the TVR Griffith challenge is strong with 2023 winner Mike Whitaker joined by Jamie Boot, Matt Holben and Christian Douglas. Nine Elans are entered, many straight from the 26R race earlier in the day and should be a force, while Rick Willmott will feature in his beautiful Jaguar E-Type low drag coupe. Add in some quick Healeys, a Chevrolet Corvette, MGBs and many more, and both Libre races will be unmissable. Equipe MG Cup  The Equipe MG Cup runners have entertained at every meeting so far this season and have a 20-minute race each day at Silverstone for a strong field. Mark Wright won the opening rounds in style at Brands Hatch in March and returns in his slick-shod Class D MGF but will have plenty of opposition both in class and from across the field. Keith Egar has been rapid in his Class D Midget, and is joined on slicks by Ian Boulton, who took second overall at Brands Hatch in Class B so should be quick this weekend. At the last two meetings it has been the Invitation class that has provided the winners, and a name that jumps out from that class is Dan Ludlow in his MG ZR190, a class and outright race winner in 2023, who is doing Sunday’s race. Jack Chapman took a Class B win and second overall at Oulton Park last time out so should be a factor in that class and overall, while last year the race was won outright by a Rover 220 Tomcat Turbo, so watch out for the car of Andrew Burns. There is always plenty of action right down the field with so many of competitive drivers and cars in the field. Equipe Pre’63 and 50s  The Pre’63 and 50s grid always features some great cars, and over their two races there should be plenty for the crowd to to admire. The Jaguar E-Type is well represented, with series regulars such as Roberto Giordanelli joined for Saturday’s race by marque specialist Gary Pearson, while Andrew Mooore and Howard Spooner are out both days in their E-Types. Some very quick Austin Healeys take on the E-Type in the Pre’63 category, with cars from Richard Hywell-Evans, Simon Parry-Williams and Jo Willmott just some of the potential front-runners. Marc Gordon is bringing out his Jaguar XK150, while we have already seen this season a well driven Elva Courier can be a challenger, so watch for Paul Mortimer ins his Elva. In the 50s element of the race Robi Bernberg will race his rapid Cooper Monaco in Saturday, while Paul Ugo takes over for Sunday’s 30-minute race. Similarly Andrew Wenman races his Morgan Plus 4 in the first race before handing over to David Wenman for Sunday. Thornton Mustard should be quick in his Lotus Elite, just one of a number of potential front-runners. Equipe 70s with BCV8  A race that can’t fail to be great value for the spectator sees the Equipe BCV8 and 70s fields combine, with some superb – and very quick – cars on show. Over 30 cars are expected each day, and the rapid BCV8 cars face opposition from a marques ranging from Ford to Ferrari. In the 70s John Dickson is another returnee in the Ferrari 308 he debuted at Zandvoort last season, while the superb Ford Capri RS2600 of Mick Matthews won at Oulton Park last year and will be one to watch in the race. Mike Whitaker brings out his TVR Griffith, a Silverstone winner last year, and with other challengers from Porsche, Morgan, Lotus and more, we should have two great races to enjoy James Wheeler and Neil Fowler were BCV8 winners at this meeting last year, and both return having already taken wins in 2024. Russell McCarthy is always a force in the races while Jordan Spencer has been right there too – and it is pleasing to see 2023 champion Andrew Young return in his MGC GT. As usual we have some superb series joining us for this event, the Monoposto races featuring a broad range of single-seaters including some very quick Formula Three cars at the front, while we are delighted to be joined again by the GT & Sports Car Cup field who have a two-hour race on Sunday afternoon. We cannot wait …Warm regards … |
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24 CAR GRID FOR SILVERSTONE – HISTORIC GRAND PRIX LAYOUT – 8TH & 9TH JUNE
We are one of the few clubs that get to race on this configuration of the home of British motorsport.
Class A – 3 MG F/TF’s and 1 MGZR160 – Road going Toyo Tires
Class B – 7 MGZR170’s, 1 MGZS180 and 1 Rover BRM – Modified Toyo Tires
Class C – 1 MGZR170, 1 MGZS180, 1 MGZR190 and 1 Rover Tomcat – Race Toyo Tires
Class D – 1 MGF Cup, 1 MG Midget and 2 MGZR190’S – Race Slick’s
Class I – 1 MGF VVC, 1 MGZR170 and 1 MGZR190 – Invitation 1b/1c
24 drivers will do battle of the Historic Grand Prix layout, its not too late entries close on Wednesday. joinus@mgcup.com for more info.
SILVERSTONE GRAND PRIX 8TH & 9TH JUNE
The home of British Motorsport, join us at the Equipe Summer Classic. With 5 classes A – Standard, B – Modified, C – Race on control tyes Toyo R888r, Class D – Slicks and Class I – Invitation. To find out more joinus@mgcup.com We look forward to see you in the paddock.
OULTON PARK RACE REPORT
Stuart Tranter was on the front row of the grid for the first of the Equipe MG Cup field’s two 20-minute races and was ahead in his Rover 220 Turbo at the end of lap one, pole sitter Peter Bramble second in his slick-shod MGB. Rhys Higginbotham ran third initially with fellow ZR170 racer Jack Chapman right with him, Chapman taking the spot on lap two.
Bramble was running just under a second or so behind the flying leader as these two pulled clear, closing in during the final laps but Tranter had the pace and his Tomcat claimed the win and the Invitation class, Bramble second and class D winner. Chapman ran third for much of the race to take class B honours, Simon Lowery taking fourth on the last lap from Higginbotham to win class C.
It was a quick turn around for race two, and again Tranter got away well from Bramble, Lowery slotting into third from Tony Wigley. The lead pair traded quickest race laps as the gap between them varied but stayed in the same range as that in race one with the leader never able fully to shake Bramble off.
Tranter stayed clear to make it two wins for the day, Bramble second as the race was ended four minutes early by a red flag. Lowery held third all the way as Cal Moore claimed two places on lap five to move up to fourth and the class B win, crossing the line with Wigley just half a second behind.
Equipe MG Cup
Race 1
1st in Class A – Greg Elgood
1st in Class B – Jack Chapman
2nd in Class B – Rhys Higginbotham
3rd in Class B – Cal Moore
1st in Class C – Simon Lowery
Race 2
1st in Class A – Greg Elgood
1st in Class B – Cal Moore
2nd in Class B – Tony Wigley
OULTON PARK – 21 DRIVERS DO BATTLE AT CHESHIRES FINEST CIRCUIT – TOMORROW
We look forward to a great days racing and catching up with friends, racers and marshals. If you would like to find out more about the MG Cup dm or email joinus@mgcup.com
RACE WEEK – OULTON PARK – 21 ON THE GRID.
It has been double winners all the way so far in the four Equipe MG Cup races to date this season, but Oulton Park should see at least one new outright winner and maybe even two in the 20-minute races. Cal Moore was twice on the podium at Cadwell Park in his ZR 170 so should be one to watch for, but he has plenty of tough opposition in the closely matched series.
Rhys Higginbotham claimed a podium at Brands Hatch in April with is ZR 170, while second overall in race two there was Jack Sandle-Brownlie running in the invitation class in his Rover 216 GTi, and both should be factors. Also running in the invitation class this weekend is the Rover 220 Turbo Tomcat of Stuart Tranter, while Gregory Elgood and Simon Lowery have both taken two class wins so far in 2024.
Class D is new for 2024 and features cars running on slick tyres, Peter Bramble one to watch for from that class.
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