Becoming entranced by and desiring to compete in motor racing has been largely off-limits to a great many potential weekend racers. The largest stumbling-block is invariably one of costs, which can be runaway expensive. To contest the British Touring Car Championship (the nation’s most-watched TV motorsport) can cost well in excess of £1m, which demands a major sponsorship search in an already purse-string-tightened market.
Yet, without setting sights on out-of-this-world targets, MG is a brand possessing close links with the largest single marque car club in the world, the MG Car Club. Motorsport has been a core activity for the club, since it was formed intuitively by the Abingdon-based factory in 1930, both as a developmental, as well as enjoyment medium.
The Club (MGCC) is independent these days but is also renowned for being the only one that organises and manages solely no less than six championships nationally (BCV8, Cockshoot Cup, MG Metro Cup, Midget & Sprite Challenge, MG Trophy and MG Cup) and two series (Iconic 50s Series and Triple M Challenge). They are all well-subscribed, possess dedicated and friendly members and try, wherever possible, to keep costs within sensible bounds. Race entry fees in the six event MGCC 2019 calendar range from £255 to £435, while drivers aged under-25 obtain a 50% discount.
SAIC has produced the MG3 hatchback since 2013 (revised last year). It is well-regarded for its comprehensive equipment list, affordable pricing and five years manufacturer’s warranty. SAIC also hosts a number of British and overseas student interns at its UK Technical Centre at Longbridge, Birmingham. In league with MGCC, SAIC tasked its interns with building a race-viable version of the MG3 at the commencement of last autumn’s intake. The company provided the base model and set a budget of £5,000 for the task.
In just five months, the research, development and production of a racing hatchback has been completed, in time for the start of the 2019 race season (30th March, Silverstone). Stripping out the interior, fitting an interior roll-cage, racing seat, safety harness and fire extinguisher system (regulation safety essentials), plus upgrading the brakes and suspension, repainting and liverying the car has all been achieved within the £5,000 budget.
Driving it at Castle Combe racing circuit (Wiltshire) proved that the interns’ efforts have been no less than successful. The car handles neutrally, shifts gears effortlessly, stops and steers perfectly and is immense fun to drive surprisingly quickly. As part of the project, the interns have also created a 250pp ‘Build Book’, which details all of the modifications. The production of an SAIC-supplied build kit comes next, although it should be possible for enterprising potential competitors to acquire either an accident-damaged, or used, example of the MG3 for between £2,000 to £4,500 and apply their own modifications for a similar rate.
