MG EVENTS

2004

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Welcome to Page SIX of the 2004 Events Review pages

Here you'll find written reviews and photographs of many MG events throughout the year

Click on the small photos to get a larger version.

All reviews & Photographs by Tim Morris unless otherwise specified.

The anniversary year MG Car Club Silverstone International took place over a weekend that only saw one heavy downpour (a bit like last year). It was difficult to estimate how many MGs were here over the weekend as the car parks were full of gleaming multicoloured MG paintwork There must have been well over 1000 cars on each day plus all the other cars on displays and racing around the track. 

With so much at this event it takes a couple of days to see it all and enjoy the full race programme which also gives the opportunity for socialising in the evening - from the formal MGCC dinner to the numerous barbecues found around the campsites - much charred meat and tinnies were consumed on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Usually the MGBs run away in sheer numbers but for the first time the MGFs were pushing for supremacy with almost an equal amount of cars - it was also gratfiying to see a huge increase in the number of modern Z saloons - so much so that they had their own parking area for the first time this year.

In the Car Club marquees you could find stalls from every register and  several of the regions all selling their own items of regalia and publications along with a display of the proposed new MGCC HQ at Abingdon and a light blue SV-R alongside the new X powered version of the ZR. There were one or two other SVs spotted on the site over the weekend as well.

Out in the car parks foreign tongues could be heard with many European languages being spoken  - particularly strong from German, Denmark and Belgium - the MG Car Club of Antwerp put in a strong appearance in their MGFs and leafleting just about every car about their "Kempernit". Roger Pearce drove all the way from South Africa to Silverstone  passing through many countries not used to seeing a fully loaded MGBGT - despite having all his belongings stolen at one point he made it in 41 days ! Elsewhere there was a rare coloured Portugese MGA in the Pride of Ownership, a delightful 1960's Midget and mini caravan combination from Denmark and the Danish Pederson twins  dressed identically as usual with their TA..

Many traders were present selling new parts and second hand parts and a load of rusty parts ! You could probably find just about anything amongst the stalls - there was even a stall selling costume jewellery - but I think she must have been confused !

The Octagon car club also put in an appearance with a display of vintage MGs and selling parts & books etc. There were plenty of MGs for sale including a strange MGBGT Pick up conversion and cars in every condition from the immaculate to the downright rusty and in need of attention sales. 

A row of MGFs with the number "80" on their bonnets and doors and "MG80" on their number plates drew interest in the register parking especially when out stepped the drivers resplendent in identical union jack shirts - The Essex Roadsters had arrived ! Also in the MGF parking area could be found two identical silver TFs with "His" and "Hers" emblems on them  (belonging to Paul Lathwell & Sue). On Mike Satur's stand Gerry Hiorns nice MGB T V8 ex Sussex Police Car was on display complete with radio and the back full of Police equipment. The car sat proudly next to Gerry's other creation - his "Goldenwheels" MGF. Over at the MGF center" Nitrous Express " MGF was on show with several other Fs and TFS. Total MG were pushing their new magazine with a display of modified Z saloons and there was also a stand from the other magazine - MG Enthusiast which this month featured Dick Royce and the race to prepare his rare L1 special in time for Silverstone - He did and Dick and the car were there with his mobility vehicle in tow (Dick suffers from severe MS).  Out in the F parking again you could find the two featured MGF's from the first two editions of Total MG - Andy Phillips' Scarlet Fever and Dave Morris's recently renovated F.

On the track there was a full race programme of MG races over both Saturday and Sunday inclduing a four car accident  at copse corner which caused a restart in the MG Trophy race - luckily no one was injured but the cars were a bit of a mess.

On sunday the shiny cars were on display in the hotly contested Concours and Pride of Ownership competitions with the awards being presented by Car Club chairman Bill Wallis - luckily the shower arrived just as judging finished ! Car of the Day went to Alan Simmons with his red MGCGT.

What else - ..well of course there was a beer tent - food - MG Sport & Racing, Bicycles, display of racecars in the pits , bouncy slide and meeting up with old friends and making new ones - all making for a great weekend.

More pics can be found on our sister site South East Fers and further links on F in News