Double Touch

Nigel Mansell holds the GP Circuit lap record at Brands Hatch… and what a record! Clocking in at 1:09.593, the 1986 F1 Williams-Honda FW11 covered all of the 2.301 miles in what can only be described as a phenomenal time. It was a lap so blisteringly sharp that even today, on the 10th of December 2007, it still remains firmly intact. However, could that be about to be changed?

Actually no, no it couldn’t. Not for want of BHP or driver skill though, it has more to do with the fact that today MGS ON TRACK are racing on the shorter Indy Circuit; next time then Nigel, next time. Today I’m at Brands, one of the bastions of the British motor racing scene; and members of MGS ON TRACK have the need, the need for speed.

One such member of today’s menagerie is Richard Stone. Richard, of Gem Stone Graphics in Crawley, has been a member of the MGCC for nine years and today, here at Brands, it is his first track day with MGOT. Driving a 160 BHP MG-ZR with a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds, bought from Summit MG for £4000 and technically classed as a “commercial light vehicle”, Richard is familiar with only Silverstone racing circuit. As I meet with him after his first session on track to discuss his impressions of Brands, he seems excited. I soon realise this is due to the Paddock Hill corner, of which Richard likens to “driving off the edge of the world”.

Indeed Brands is an imposing track for newcomers. With a slick conglomeration of hairpins, smooth, off camber curves and sickeningly breakneck straights you need to stay switched on to clock up a good time. Today is no exception; in fact with a constant supply of mildly heavy rain the track appears even more imposing. However as each group comes back into the Paddock the exhilaration is evident, there are smiles all round; this track may be taxing but boy does it seem rewarding. Richard, who as well as his ZR owns a MG Midget which he wishes could be race specified sometime in the future, seems to be of the same opinion and quickly notes how “great” the track is.

But how does the ZR, or “the van” as Richard likes to refer to it handle out there? Quite well apparently! This is no doubt thanks to the stiffened rear suspension, elevated ride height and the lack of anything at all behind the front two seats. It looks good too; well I’ve always been an advocate of go faster stripes, but go faster Gem Stone Graphics! Apparently according to Richard even if the graphics don’t make the ZR go faster, they have on occasion being known to drum up attention for the business.

So Brands remains a fun, challenging and exciting track to drive, but what about the record for the Indy Circuit? Who holds that? Maybe it would be in reach? One second let me just… oh… I don’t believe this! The lap record for the Indy Circuit at Brands Hatch is held by, Scott Mansell!