MG Trophy Pre-Season News

With lots of pre-season activity happening within the MG Trophy Championship, here’s a round up of the latest news.

MG Trophy sign new Oil Sponsor

The MG Trophy Championship has signed a one year deal with Millers Oils who will sponsor the ‘Driver of the Race’ awards at each of the 12 championship rounds in 2015.

Trophy co-ordinator Pete Macwaters said “The Driver of the Race awards at our MG Car Club meetings are decided by the race commentators after each race and the chosen driver is awarded additional ‘goodies’ on top of the usual club trophies.”

Following the deal agreed with Millers’ area sales manager, Gary Davidson, Millers Oils will donate 5 litres of race oil to each nominated driver.

Macwaters concluded “This represents a considerable incentive to drivers to race hard but fair and with so many cars on the grid in 2015 this will be a well earned bonus.”

MG Trophy now International

The MG Trophy Championship can now claim to be a truly International affair with drivers from England, Wales, Scotland, Australia and now Albania competing in 2015.

Trophy co-ordinator Pete Macwaters said “The recent announcement about Aussie champ Cody Hill joining us for a full season in a ZR190 was excellent news, we are so pleased that Cody decided to come back to the UK folllowing his races with us at Silverstone in 2014.” “To commit to a full season is quite a coup for the Trophy, it just shows that drivers are realising that it can be a logical first step in progressing to higher level championships like the Clio Cup and the BTCC, Jack Goff did it and now Cody is thinking along the same lines.”

The latest news is that Albanian born Avni Ropica, who has competed in Formula Ford 1600/ 2000 and Formula 3, has also decided to give the MG Trophy a try to gain experience in saloon car racing.

Macwaters went on to say “Avni will be racing in the Finishline ZR170 and has signed a season long deal with the Hitchin based team.” “Avni is now a UK resident having moved here 18 years ago, he has tried various forms of motorsport and I am pleased that he has chosen the MG Trophy to get his first taste of tin tops. We now have over 20 drivers registered for class C including multiple winner Paul Luti, so Avni will be mixing it with some top drivers.

MG Trophy Budget Class D

Following on from the successful launch of the new budget class for basic going MG ZR160 road cars in 2014, more cars will be seen racing in this class in 2015.

Championship Co-ordinator Pete Macwaters said “I was very pleased to see 4 of these cars joining the rest of the ZR’s to make our 2014 season such a success. Our grids broke all the records last year with an average of 23.4 for the season which included two ‘away’ rounds at Knockhill, our best grid was 30 for the big MG90 event at Silverstone on the GP circuit in June”.

With more 160’s being built for the 2015 season, Macwaters is confident that with car costs as low as £3,500 there will be more wanting to join the Trophy Championship in 2015. “We have secured filming for ‘Motors TV’ again this year so any new drivers will get to see themselves on TV, this could also help them get some sponsorship which is always welcome”.

The MG Trophy will be at all the leading tracks again in 2015 starting with a return to Mallory Park at the end of March followed by Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Silverstone (GP), Castle Combe, Oulton Park and Snetterton.

“With those circuits plus the experienced organisation of the MG Car Club, what could be more appealing to a new driver” concluded Macwaters.

Luti steps down

A surprise move by top MG Trophy driver Paul Luti sees him drop down from the 190 class to the very popular 170 class for the 2015 season.

Trophy co-ordinator Pete Macwaters said “Paul first entered the MG Trophy championship back in 2008 in a ZR190, he then switched to an LE 500 for 4 years before going back to fwd in 2013, so to hear he was building a ZR170 was a surprise.”

Paul has enjoyed racing at the front and has many wins and podiums to his credit but with the lower numbers in the top class Paul has decided to have some fun in the very popular 170 class where he can test his skills against many more competitors.

Hearing this news, current champ Chris Bray, who was going to take a year out as Aussie champ Cody Hill drives his 190 in 2015, has threatened to also do some races in the 170 class to give his old sparring partner even more competition.

Macwaters went on to say “Although the loss of one of the 190 cars for a season is disappointing this move by Paul, and hopefully Chris, will make the 170 class amazing this year with up to 20 cars taking part.” “For the very reasonable cost of around £6K for a 170 spec ZR you can have a lot of fun for the money, and with lap times in the low 57’s for Brands Indy, these cars are quick.”

With 35 drivers registered to date, the MG Trophy looks set to beat the records of last year with so much interest being shown at this early stage.

“I have 12 ‘new’ drivers already wanting to join us this year with lots showing interest in the 160 budget class which is great news” concluded Macwaters.

The MG Trophy will have double headers at Mallory Park, Brands Indy, Donington, Silverstone GP, Oulton Park, Castle Combe and Snetterton in 2015.

To find out more about the MG Trophy Championship, please click here