.... and MGF/TF QI Facts 48 to 52
48)
Racing the MG
F began very shortly after the cars release. On June 1st 1995 the first meeting was held with Rover Japan to develop a competition car. Development work on the series was by Roy Ford with Tony Pond and Warren Mitchell. The changes needed for a competition car were finally priced at only £4000 above the standard car price.
The engines were 'standard' 1.8 but with the following modifications
The tappets are mechanical instead of hydraulic
The air filter has been changed for improved air flow
Radiator Capacitty increased for improved cooling
Modified exhaust, but the catalyst retained.
Transmission was standard, except in that the final drive ratio it uses is that of the VVC, which is more suited to racing
Clutch drive plate friction material changed to suit competition
Front mounted oil cooler fitted
Fuel lines replaced with Aeroquip Lines
The cars were built by Janspeed Engineering and sent back to Gaydon for further suspension adjustments before being shipped off to Japan. Cars were also produced for the French race series. Most of these cars appeared in 1996 following the standard road assessments in September 1995. It is believed that a total of thirty two standard 1.8MPi cars were converted to race.
49)
The next development came at the 1997 London Motor Show, where MG Rover and the MG Car Club launched two “one make” race series, for the following year. The “
MGF Cup”, aimed at works prepared cars and driven by professional drivers and the “
MGF Abingdon Trophy” aimed at MG
F Owners who wanted to use their own road cars in a race series.
These "Cup Cars" differed from the previous cars as they were a completely new build, rather than just modified standard cars.
Thirty were produced with bodies which were seam welded with a built in roll cage and a 190BHP dry sump engine fitted. The cars had Hydragas suspension system, although this was modified for racing. To make competition as even as possible the engine, transmission and gearbox's were sealed on delivery from MG Rover. These cars were sold for £24k +VAT. A few were purchased and raced by MG Rover Dealerships. On the first Race of the season at Silverstone on the 4th April 1998 twenty eight of the thirty cars made the starting grid.
For entry in the MGF Abingdon Trophy, the only modifications required to a standard F were to fit roll-over bar/ cage, a
fire extinguisher, an exterior electrical cut off switch, four point seat harness and a front towing eye.
50)
When MG Rover ceased sponsorship of the MGF Cup in 2000 a new competition was needed and in 2001 the series changed name to become the "
MGF Challenge" . This was administered by the MG Car Club. The MGCC opened the competition up to other MGF's therefore effectively merging the MGF Abingdon Trophy with the MGF Cup. This kept the numbers of cars on the grids up, with there now being two races within a race taking place. The two classes were "Cup" for the old MGF cup cars and "Trophy" for VVC and MPI cars which were running up to 150BHP.
Ironically the recently launched MGF Trophy 160, was not eligible for the Trophy class.
51)
In 2002 after MG Rover launched the TF a TF Race Car was produced for thelast race of the 2002 season at Snetterton. However this car was not all that it seemed. It looked like a TF but was in fact a former MGF Cup Car that had been fitted with a TF bumpers, boot and side sills, so that for all intense and purposes it looked like a brand new TF Race car. The car of course retained its Hydragas suspension system thus betraying it’s F origin.
52)
For the 2003 Race Series the TF's body supplier, Mayflower, became the main sponsor.
Along with MG Sport and Racing Ltd the Race became known as the "
Mayflower MG Trophy". As a way of encouraging the Race Teams to change to the TF body, Mayflower offered a service of upgrading the body shape which, providing a car was entered in most races over the season, cost the teams nothing. All the Cup Cars still racing were re-bodied for and during the 2003 season.
Many of the original cars still race today
For more MG related facts take a look at the previous pages and the huge wealth of knowledge that is the MG quiz thread.