The MG Car Club's MG Live event at Silverstone welcomed our Club's racers to the Silverstone GP circuit. The sight of our 458s amongst pre-war MGs etc. certainly made for a varied week-end of racing. The MG brigade were very welcoming and I think everyone enjoyed the meeting.

The 458s of Sam Smeeth and Mick Dwane were both prevented from qualifying due to noise, even though other identical 458s had passed the static test. Later on the Clerk of the Course reviewed the situation and allowed them to start the race from the back of the grid. That's the very back - even behind the classic racers. As this was the only qualifying session of the weekend this meant both races! So it was Toby Tarrant-Willis on pole from Paul Bailey and Arwyn Williams, all in 458s.

Welcome newcomer Paul Ugo (360/Ch)was prevented from leaving the collection area due to a noise infringement, even though he had qualified without issue. Sometimes with racing you really get the impression that the officials forget who the customers are!

But for the rest the nailbiter was whether to change to slicks as the wet track was beginning to dry. Most did, others didn't and suffered the consequences.

After a confused start, with many unsure whether there were one or two installation laps, Toby T-W surged into the lead, whilst as expected the 458s of Smeeth and Dwane stormed through the field.

By lap 6 Smeeth was clearly the fastest car on track, and had made his way to 3rd spot. A spin then only slightly halted his progress. At the flag it was Paul Bailey who took the win from Toby T-W and Smeeth. Lee Moulden (355Ch) took class 1 and an excellent 8th overall. Nick Kaye took class 2 (360/Ch) and Tim Ingram-Hill class 3 (430/Ch).

Our Open racers of course enjoy using Pirelli racing tyres. This is great - unless the conditions are changeable before a race. Then it's slicks or wets? Those with team support can decide really late, others have to make a choice and stick with it.

Race 2 looked likely to be run in the wet, but the rain stopped whilst everyone was in the collection area. The wheel guns of the rich and famous were rattling away like an F1 pit stop, making last minute changes. In the naughty boys corner Paul Ugo took to the grid having quietened his beast, and Smeeth and Dwane faced a repeat of their back of the grid charge. Vance Kearney had taken over the Moulden 355, so also started at the back of the grid having qualified out of session.

The first lap or two favoured the drivers on wets - the safe option. However by lap 4 the slicks were coming into their working range and drivers so shod - like Arwyn Williams, were now flying. Nick Kaye abandoned his 360 in the middle of Hangar Straight with no gears. Please nobody ever do that again!

With the sun now shining Williams was away and gone, a clear winner. A remarkable 2nd place went to Sam Smeeth, whose wets must have been toast. Ingram - Hill took C3, Paul Ugo C2 and Tim Mogridge C1.

So an excellent week-end with challenge and frustration being added in equal measures, by the weather and by officials - pretty normal racing in fact.

Click here for Race 1 results.

Click here for Race 2 results.

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