MG Sporting & Racing Events

Throughout MG’s history, many of its models have been raced – and we’re not just talking about the sports cars. Currently many countries conduct MGF one make race series, and presently in Australia we have such a series supporting the V8 Supercars at each of their race meetings.

At club level, most MGs race in historic racing, conducted under the rules of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. CAMS controls circuit racing in Australia. Circuit racing consists of modern racing and historic racing.

MGs have always been amongst the most successful marques involved in motor racing, from club racing to professional teams at the highest level. So it follows that the marque is well represented in today’s historic racing scene. Historic racing is a large segment of circuit racing today, with, in NSW, about four dedicated historic major meetings per year and some modern meetings catering for historic classes. Historic Touring Cars are featured at major modern meetings, including GPs.

It is not unusual for entries to exceed 300 at a historic meeting. All states have a historic movement similar to New South Wales, and many competitors travel interstate more than twice a year to compete. Victoria features a dedicated one-make series ‘MG Racing’ which has CAMS State Championship status and caters for Open (basically no limit to modifications allowed), Fast Road, and Historic divisions.

Cars participating in historic racing are log booked by CAMS, grouped into cars with a period racing history, and those which do not, but are representative of the cars that were raced in the period up to 1977. The log book is the car’s ‘pedigree’, also detailing ownership etc.

The Details

Racing events are run under CAMS or AASA permits on an official race circuits. Flag marshals and full safety services manage the running of these events.

Basic life insurance is included in the event permit, while cars are generally not covered. Some historic cars can be covered by some track insurance – refer to Shannon’s Insurance

In race events you will qualify for a grid position and then races will commence from a standing start. Times are recorded with dorian electronic transponders, which are available to hire on the day or can be purchased outright.

You will see on every motorsport ticket that “Motorsport is dangerous”. There is always a risk of damage or injury, and this increases in wet weather and with inexperience and over driving.

The minimum age for motorsport competition is 14 in NSW as per the Department of Sport & Recreation requirements (subject to review).

We recommend a minimum of two or three driver training sessions on a race track with a professional instructor before engaging in racing activities.

CAMS Observed Licence Tests are carried out by a CAMS approved instructor and are required to qualify for a Provisional Circuit licence. The Provisional Circuit licence can be upgraded to a Full Licence after several observed race meetings that are signed off by the Clerk of Course, along with one voluntary flag marshal attendance at a race meeting. Please refer to the CAMS Manual for full up-to-date details.

Uprated higher temperature brake pads & brake fluid, DOT CAMS approved track tyres or slicks, CAMS approved rollover protection (for open cars) and a full safety check of all major components including suspension, brakes and brake lines, cooling system and fluid leaks is a requirement of motorsport.

Mandatory equipment includes CAMS approved helmet, FIA fire rated gloves, driving suit, balaclava and underwear. Once again please refer to the CAMS Manual for up-to-date requirements.

Minimum competition requirements include:

  • CAMS Level PC licence, CAMS approved helmet
  • FIA approved racing harness
  • fire extinguisher
  • multiple caribie throttle return springs
  • battery location triangle sticker
  • remote mounted ignition isolation switch and location sticker on bodywork
  • additional approved bonnet fastening for older cars
  • possible removal of bonnet release mechanism
  • possible addition of driver’s window safety net
  • Possible addition of fuel safety cell
  • removal of all loose objects in cabin
  • tyres, wheels suspension etc all in good working order
  • well secured battery
  • NO fluid leaks
  • FIA fire rated gloves, driving suit, balaclava, and underwear & footwear

Refer to the CAMS Manual for competition requirements & details for proposed racing class of motor vehicle

The Classes

Whilst there are MGs competing in many classes, the majority compete in Sa and Sb. These include MGA, MGB, Midget and Magnette. Up until fairly recently, TD and TF also raced in Sa. There is one J and several T specials racing in the pure historic classes.

The CAMS Manual details all car specifications, and in the production classes, lists cars that are accepted as ‘production’ models. In Sa and Sb the manual lists about 30 different makes that are eligible. The makes include Abarth, AC, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Austin Healey, Bolwell, Corvette, Datsun, Elva, Ferrari, Fiat, Ginetta, ISO, Jaguar, Lancia, Lotus, Marcos, Maserati, Mercedes, MG, Morgan, Porsche, Shelby, Sunbeam, Triumph, Turner, TVR, Volvo.

It is not unusual to have a full grid of up to 47 cars face the starter, so it can be seen that the variety of makes and models participating is impressive by any standards. Cars generally compete within their group, broken into capacity classes.

As history has shown, MGs have generally performed above the expectations of most, and have always been amongst the top of their class, sometimes reaching the outright podium. The results of MGs competing in historic racing today are no different. ‘Safety fast’ has indeed been an enduring motto.

Period Racing History

Group J – pre 1931 racing and sports cars
Group K – 1932-1940 racing and sports cars
Group L – 1941-1960 racing and sports cars
Group M – 1961-1965 racing and sports cars
Group O – 1966-1969 racing and sports cars
Group Q – 1970-1977 racing and sports cars
Group R – post 1970 racing and sports cars

Representative Cars

Group Sa – 1941-1960 Production Sports Cars
Group Sb – 1961-1969 Production Sports Cars
Group Sc – 1970-1977 Production Sports Cars
Group Na – pre 1958 Touring Cars
Group Nb – pre 1965 Touring Cars
Group Sa – 1965-1971 Touring Cars

Geoff Pike

For up-to-date rules and requirements, please refer to the CAMS Manual

Click through the following pages to learn more about the other forms of motorsport in which The MG Car Club Sydney is involved: