MG Historic Racing – Winton 2009

By Bill Schapel 

Two of the Historic Racing events of the year which have “Pilgrimage” status are Phillip Island in March and Winton in May. They are both “must see” events and both attract large numbers of MG entries, many of which are significant cars with amazing history.

Winton on the last weekend in May is the event many believe to be the best Historic Event in Australia. Not quite the biggest, though about 300 car entries plus historic motorbikes makes it big enough, but the atmosphere seems more intimate, more friendly and with less of a “commercial” feel than P.I. The fact you can see almost every metre of track makes it an ideal venue for spectators, and the lack of long straights makes it my favourite, as the big engined and supercharged cars lose some of their advantage. Here I don’t have to pray for rain. Brother Bob and daughter Georgie and I enjoyed the anticipation, the preparation and the easy eight hour trip, plus the racing itself and the great camaraderie and socialising that happens in the pits and in restaurants and pubs in the evenings.

The 36 MGs entered made for an absolute Octagon-fest, with 9 Pre-war MGs, (a J2, Payne’s J2/TB, 2 gorgeous K3s, 2 L types, 2 TAs and a TB) plus 14 TCs, the Stewart/Wheeler rear-engined MG special, 3 Midgets (plus a flock of Sprites), 5 MGBs and a GTV8 . That is a mouth-watering list of octagonal machinery! I had a fabulous weekend, getting great times and usually managing to finish in front of all the T types but one, despite them being supercharged and methanol fuelled – and I enjoyed climbing all over Farrell’s quick TC’s rear and even lapped faster during the final event. You must see the in-car footage! Some historically noteworthy TCs in the Lb field include the ex Bill Pile special, the ex Molina “Vulgarilla” and the immaculate but cautiously driven ex Curly Brydon/Patterson TC. An interesting inclusion was the rear-engined Wheeler/Stewart MG, originally TC powered but now MGA engined with the biggest supercharger you will ever see, plus Lola, Allard, Stanguellini and more. In the pre-war races our own John Payne drove the J2/TB beautifully and earned class wins, despite being punted off in other handicap event by one of those V8 monstrosities which litter the Pre-War fields.

The events I saw were all amazing, but most vivid was the last Nb race, with a Mustang and several Minis at the front. The field of 30 included 11 Minis plus a 3.8 Jaguar, a flock of Cortinas, and several Yank tanks, just to name a few. The faster Minis got better starts, and it took the fastest ‘Stang four laps to get the lead back, with Minis finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The many Toranas, Escorts, Valiants, a Camaro plus several BMWs, Alfas and even more buzzing Minis made the Nc races awesome too, plus M, O, Q, R, (with Cooper, Brabham, Lotus, Chevron, Elfins all well represented), J&K,(with Alvis, Salmson, Bugatti, Riley with the MG L type, K3, TA s/c etc), Sa, Sb, Sc, (including MGAs, Bs, Porsches, Corvette etc) each with fields of 20 to 35 cars! Oh yes, and 2 full fields of Regularities packed with amazing cars, including some of the Molina cars and a full bodied ex Harry Firth TC among some serious exotica.

The late Lou Molina, a good friend of the Schapelli team, was the featured Champion and many of his racing cars – the “TB”, 2 TCs, the beautiful MM Special, the futuristically ugly Monza Holden and the Brescia Bugatti – were being driven in the Regularities by Lou’s son Ernesto and delightful grandsons “young Lou” and Adam – who also spent some time entertaining my daughter Georgie over the weekend. She was delighted to find some younger company and they are now all firm friends. Worth noting for intending visitors is the free welcome night with good food, beer and excellent wine on the Friday night at the Art Gallery, plus the free beers and BBQ on the Sunday after the event. All welcome!

So make it a date.. Phillip Island in March – where our fabulous Cowes landlord can offer nice double rooms for $185 a night with full access to pool, a great spa and a sauna, plus breakfast especially for MGCC of SA members. A good deal, as accommodation is expensive on the Island that weekend. We can all share a BBQ or two and you can have good safe parking, as we have the house right across the road. There are already two or three takers from the register, so join in! We may need someone to tow a second TC over next year, so see us soon.

Winton in May also is a must – you’ll love it as we do. Accommodation is cheaper than the Island, but should be booked well in advance. Bob, Georgie and I would not miss it, and the actual competing is only part of the intense enjoyment. Come and join us!            Bill Schapel