Double Touch

Ever thought that a track day would be great fun but never felt like you could get involved due to one reason or another? Then MGs -on-track is just for you. I went to their Goodwood track day to find out more.

Damn this is fast! In fact according to my driver and advocate of MGs-on-track, it is one of if not the fastest track in the country. I’m at Goodwood motor circuit in West Sussex and this is my first experience of the type of thrills MGs-on-track have to offer.

As we come screaming by the Pit Lane after our penultimate, blistering lap, my driver begins to tell me about MGs-on-track and their philosophy. I learn that Mgs-on-track is a non-profit organisation formed to organise fun, safe and sociable track days for MG enthusiasts, and that it has a particular focus on breaking down the traditional barriers faced by first-time drivers. We hit Goodwood’s first corner, Madgwick; the considerable grip from my drivers MG surprising me once again. There is no body role, not a hint of understeer. As we pull cleanly out of Madgwick I’m informed that the aim of the club is to provide a much more accessible track day than your average one, a track day in which anyone with an interest in MGs can get involved in.

Indeed this mentality of anyone can get on track seems to be well implemented. At the event there are what only can be described as a plethora of cars, both modern and classic. There is an amazing mix of people too, young and old, male and female, inexperienced and experienced. The day oozes a kind of laid back formality and more importantly just plain fun. After signing on and an initial safety talk, drivers at the event are split into three groups depending on experience; beginners, intermediates and the advanced, before heading out a group at a time. For many of the drivers here today it is their first time on track. My driver though is in the advanced group and don’t I know it. We are heading into the right hander before St. Mary’s corner; you must take the former well as it governs the line you take through the latter. He seems to take the right-hander well, clipping the apex of St. Mary’s before using the entire track width as he leaves on the adverse camber.

Of course though these days aren’t just about the adrenaline rush, there’s also the strong social aspect as well. Milling around in the Paddock, drivers and non-drivers alike chat, eat and drink, tinker with their vehicle or discuss their previous track session. There are ample great facilities too with hot food and drink being served throughout the day and professional photographers on hand to capture your day on track. And what a track it is! Goodwood, still retaining its charm of the 50’s and 60’s golden years of racing, just reverberates history. Statues of famous drivers adorn its lush grassed embankments, posters and portraits too in the Jackie Stuart Pavilion.

As we scream down the Lavante straight towards Woodcote corner and The Chicane, I can’t help express my amazement in the performance my driver and the MG has displayed and how little my car and I would. As he cuts through the last two corners he highlights how far my statement is from the MGs-on-track philosophy, “you would be surprised by what a standard car can achieve… the only thing holding you back is your confidence.” As we pull back into the Paddock passing everything from an MG BGT V8 to an MG ZS, only one question remains… when can I go back on track?


For more information about the fantastic opportunities provided by MGs-on-track please visit: http://www.mgs-on-track.com/.