Midland Centre to run taster trial in April

Spring and autumn production car trials have been a strong feature in the calendar for decades. The spring trial has seen a dwindling entry in the last few years, to the point where it is no longer a viable competition and the 2016 event was cancelled. This was quite a big blip in over 80 years of organisation and competition for the MGCC in the Midland Centre, so what to do about it?

At the 2016 Autumn Trial we had a good discussion with competitors about the future of the Spring Trial. As a result of that, and another debate that Adrian Tucker-Peake had initiated early in 2015 with Midland Auto Club and the MSA GoMotorsport regional development officer, the framework for a taster trial has emerged.

It is clear that with a mature but still enthusiastic entry for the autumn event, it makes sense to plan for the future; something which both the MSA and the MGCC have recognised.

On April 30th 2017 at East Lodge Farm, near Bromsgrove, the Midland Centre will run a single-venue Taster Trial on private land. The objective is to involve newcomers, youngsters and adults who might have heard about trials but haven’t taken it any further yet. Also, it is an opportunity for experienced drivers to bring their boys and girls and to help on the day. The MSA acknowledges that clubs need to be able to attract new faces and on a one-off annual basis will issue a permit that allows non-club members, that is members of the public, to take part in a taster event whilst being covered by the MSA public liability insurance. It will be a production car event, which means that standard road cars are both eligible and suitable. We typically see Rover25, MGFs and Citroen Saxo among other small cars competing at the Autumn Trial; all are competent, handy vehicles. The course will be grass and mud, essentially non-damaging. Go to: www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccmidlandcentre.

The format will include an explanation of the different types of trial, the classes, how to prepare a vehicle, completing paperwork, driving instruction, driving practice and some good takeaways as a reminder of the event, and if you’ve enjoyed the experience we hope you’ll join a club and compete.