MGs on Track

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I finally did it!

By Liz Allsworth

Well…in fact, they finally did it, The MGs on Track guys got me on a track day.

I have worked at the Car Club for five years now and they have been trying to get me to go on a track day since I started. In March this year at Stoneleigh Spares Day, in a bitterly cold ‘out shed’ they asked me if I would like to participate in their Castle Combe track day on Monday June 9. After I ran out of viable excuses not to, and to get back into the warmth of the main MGCC stand, I agreed and then wondered what I had let myself in for!

On the rainy morning of Monday June 9 we set off (my husband Darren was my co-driver) with what we thought was good time to make it, only to find out that they had closed junction 17 of the M4 completely so we had to make a detour. We literally got to the sign on with five minutes to spare before the briefing started. Now I am not going to lie to you, I was the only female main driver there but there were a few female co-drivers.

The briefing was extremely informative and detailed. We were told all the rules and regulations and how the day would be structured. We were split into four colour coded ‘groups’ – each with 12 cars. Each group was allocated 15 minutes in every hour of track time, so that you were out on the track with no more than the other 11 drivers at any one time. You were shown track etiquette and how to let faster cars past. By the end of the day you got used to all the other drivers in your group and how they drove as well.

The most surreal feeling is when you are in your own car with a full face crash helmet on! I couldn’t get used to it, so a big thank you goes to Keith Allen who let me borrow his open face helmet, after which there was no stopping me! I had been allocated an instructor to go out with me on my first drive. Many thanks to Barry Evans; he showed me what lines to take on the track, what cones to brake at and also which ones to corner at.

This was invaluable and certainly set me up for the rest of my time on the track. It was only an extra £13 charge for the tuition with a ‘grade A’ instructor and I cannot recommend this highly enough for a beginner, as it made such a difference to my approach to the track and how I enjoyed the day.

Time seemed to fly by, and no sooner were you off the track but then joining your group to get back on it. Darren and I took turns with the driving so we both had a great time at the circuit.

I would recommend a track day to anyone but especially female owners, it is the most fun you will have legally in your MG! The day is run with extreme precision and in a professional manner. Talking to other people in my group, they said they had been to other track days but the MGs on Track meetings are much more structured and run with a professional but friendly attitude. Many of the other drivers did not know that the guys who run this branch of the club are all volunteers!

All in all a great day out and Darren and I would like to thank all the MGs on Track committee who made us feel so welcome, I will not need asking twice to do another one.

Give it a go yourself, or what a great gift to buy someone, you will not be disappointed!

Find out more about MGs on Track and see their calendar for the rest of the year here.