June 2025
(See pages 12 & 13 of the June Magazine for this report with pictures)
On Saturday May 17 “Team Hunter” members Steve Jones in his MG Midget & Matt Blanch in his father’s MGA competed in round 2 of “NSW MG Racing” series at “SMSP Eastern Creek”, running with the Mazda MX5 Cup cars. They were a support category for the “Sydney 300 Endurance Race” which was run in the evening. This event is considered to be the premier event of grassroots level endurance Motorsport in NSW.
Considering the recent weather we were fortunate to get a good sunny day after a foggy start to the morning.
In the practice session both Steve’s Midget & Matt in the MGA looked to be going well, with Matt mixing it with lighter more nimble “group S” Midgets & Steve having his own race with one of the invited cars, a GSM Dart. Steve eventually getting a fair gap on the Dart.
After a few laps in race 1 Steve’s Midget had a bad driveline vibration & some nasty noises at the end of the main straight & was towed back to the pits. After jacking the car up we found the rear universal in the tail shaft had come apart & although not a real serious problem that was the end of Steve’s day on the track. At that point in time the “A” was still running well & Matt finished the race with the “Group S” Midgets.
In race 2 we saw Matt in the MGA becoming more of a threat to the “Group S” Midgets dominance & was looking quick.
However after a few laps the “A” cut out & had to be towed back to the pits. A quick check re-vealed that the engine had locked up cause unknown.
Further investigation will be required but could possibly be a broken crankshaft.
So that was the end of the day for “Team Hunter”.
This is what can happen when you push these old cars well past what they were designed to do & I believe that with advances in modern technology some of these cars are going quicker than the factory cars were going back in the old days.
Steve’s repair should be a straight forward job but the repair on Austin’s “A” will be a bigger Job unfortunately.
I’m hoping to have my “B” up & running for the June “GEAR” event at “One Raceway”, also Paul Embleton has a few issues to deal with on his “B” before that event.
Coming Events
- Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June “HSRCA Sydney Classic” at “SMSP Eastern Creek”, including “MG NSW racing Round 3”.
- Wednesday June 11 “GEAR” at “One Raceway” Goulburn — using the reverse direction on the track.
- Sunday June 29 “MGCC Newcastle” Hillclimb Ringwood Park course A4
Remember drive them don’t hide them enjoy your MG,
Cheers Gary