MG Car Club
2016 Oldtimer Grand Prix
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The Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) organised the 44th Oldtimer Grand Prix of 2016. The event is described as an ‘International racing event for historic motorsport with vehicles from seven decades of motorsport history ‘, and it certainly lives up to its billing every time. Photos and words by Colin Murrell.
The event is described as an ‘International racing event for historic motorsport with vehicles from seven decades of motorsport history ‘, and it certainly lives up to its billing every time. Photos and words by Colin Murrell.
In 2015 around 52,000 spectators visited over the three days of the event. The 2016 event would see 13 race Classes, with over 500 cars competing over the weekend. This also included regularity tests and demonstrations that are unique on the European continent in scope and quality.
The Nurburgring features a 3.2 mile Grand Prix circuit built in 1984 as well as the infamous Nordschleife, the North Loop. The event is based on the Grand Prix Circuit, but also uses the Nordschleife.
Eight German owned MGs took part in this regularity test. These would be up against all sorts of prewar cars including Bentley, Bugatti, Maserati, and Mercedes.
Friday turned out to be a warm sunny day, and the best was saved until last as the MGs were in the final session of the day, having twenty minutes of untimed practice. Seeing seven prewar/early MGs on the track at the same time was a great sight.
These cars then had an early start on the Saturday, having a one hour session out on the Nordschleife. In the afternoon, the Vintage cars took part in a scenic ‘Rallye drive’ around the local scenery, with questions to be answered and points and trophies awarded. The final question was unique to each car, asking what temperature the exhaust pipe of your particular vehicle was on returning to the paddock.
Early evening saw the drivers compete in their first 30 minute timed session on the track. Unforunately, three MGs backed out of this due to various problems, but the grid was still well represented by the supercharged MG PA, two MG TA Q-types, and an MG TC.
Second place overall went to the Blue MG Q-type (no. 33), setting a target time of 2:56.310 which was certainly one of the quickest out there, but very consistent and only amassing 26.9 penalty points. The other MGs finished 21st, 32nd and 33rd respectively.
Onto Sunday, and another hot summers day on the track. Once again it was an early start for the Vintage Sports Car Trophy, as the cars took to the Nordschleife for a one hour session.
Their remaining timed session was the penultimate session of the day. Just like Saturday’s session, this was all about setting a target time and being consistent with each following lap.
The results saw the Blue MG Q-type get 8th and 4th in its class, with the red MG TC just behind in 9th and 5th in class. Other notable results saw the MG PA finish 18th and 9th in class and the black MG Q-type get 20th and 10th in class.
In the overall standings, the blue MG Q-type got third overall and second in the vintage class – a tremendous result!
All of the competitors were in agreement when discussing what a brilliant weekend they had shared, and for the 90th anniversary of the Nurburgring in 2017, even more MGs should enter or spectate. Give it a few years and I might try it myself, once I’ve gained some more experience in the car of course – never say never!
No 12 – 1946 MG TC driven by Lorian Weiss and Wiebke Sonnerburg-Weiss from Schenefeld
No 14 -1932 MG J4 (replica) driven by Klaus Mueller and llona Seewald from Linden
No 33 – 1938 MG TA Q Type driven by Volker Erdle from Oberkirch back for the second time
No 37 – 1936 MG PB driven by Stefan and Gaby Weinbach from Zell/Mosel
No 40 – 1933 MG J2 Kompressor driven by Martin Burhenne and Michael Voeltz from Hamburg
No 44 – 1934 MG PA supercharged driven by Hubert Dahmen from Cologne
No 48 – 1936 MG TA Q Type driven by Anselm Groning from Meerbusch
