Enthusiast Goes To Great Lengths To Be At Key MG Anniversary Event
Published: 23rd July 2004
MGB GT
Driving a 1973 MGB GT, Roger has single-handedly covered over 7,500 miles (12,000 km) from South Africa, through Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, and Italy and onto Silverstone, England in 39 days.
Roger runs Emgee Workshop in Randburg SA, the name is the telegraph address for the old Abingdon factory, where he attends to MGs and other classic cars. He is also a holder of the South African Endurance Record for 24, 48 and 72 Hours, as well as 5,000 and 10,000km races, and has been chairman of the Historic Racing Register of South Africa and won the 1991 South African race car Championship in a 1967 MGB GT.
Commenting on his endurance drive, Roger said: "I’m impressed that we’ve both made it. Driving so far, on very demanding road surfaces, on my own, in a classic MG has to be a real long-distance achievement – and I’m so glad to be here at Silverstone. It just goes to prove … you can do it in an MG!"
Roger’s intrepid journey and a summary of each daily event, is viewable on www.emgee.co.za.
The largest ever collection of MG sports cars is expected to congregate at Silverstone over the weekend of July 23-25, for the MG Car Club’s International Festival in the marque’s 80th anniversary year. The 54th consecutive event is the largest MG event of its kind with an anticipated gathering of over 5,000 MG cars and 30,000 enthusiastic attendees. MG enthusiasts are travelling from all over the world just to be part of this special event, with almost every type of MG represented at Silverstone.
The MG Car Club, with assistance from MG Rover Group, are displaying a historic journey through time from the earliest MGs through to the latest MG XPower SV sports car, represented in a special marque.
The popular event includes model grouped parking, circuit races with over 500 cars entering 16 races. Rob Oldaker, MG Rover Group’s Product Development Director is competing in the double-header MG Trophy race in a works-prepared MG ZR ‘ride-and-drive’ car.
The 2004 event includes a full two-day race programme, sprint, rally rides, a massive trade presence, autotests, international concours, parades, circuit lappery, special exhibits and social events and looks set to draw even more MG devotees to the British Grand Prix venue.
MG Rover Group will also be displaying its very latest 2004 product range; from the best-selling MG ZR to the highly versatile MG ZT-T estate, with special attractions including ‘Monogram’ specified paintwork and other interesting MGs, too, including performance cars from MG Sport & Racing.
On-track activities include 16-races, covering all the MGCC championships, with entries exceeding 500. There will also be a round of the prestige BRDC Single Seater Championship. The programme includes MGs of every age, from the earliest Brooklands car, through to the latest MG TF and ZR, which race in the MG Trophy, which has a full grid of 33 cars.
With the vast MG Traders City on the Copse Runway - over 100 stands - everything can be found from concours machinery, to basket cases for restoration and all the parts they may require. MG Car Club stands and regalia sales, Cars for Sale and automobilia, feature strongly, while the Concours and Pride of Ownership always draw some of the finest MGs to be found anywhere.
MG Car Club chief executive Robert Gammage is confident of Silverstone 2004 providing something for every MG follower, whether they are restoring an early car or have just embarked on octagon ownership with a new MG. "MG 80 at Silverstone 2004 really will cater for every aspect of MG interest – both old and new - and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world."
