MGB (or MGC) Rallycross car

[leonidas]

Does anybody have any info on MGB or MGC cars used in rallycross -or where we might be able to track some down? A mate of mine (MGB enthusiast rather than a rallycross chap) is expressing an interest in building a retro rallycross car.

I have vague recollections of an MGC running at one stage in the 80s - run by a guy called Robinson or Robertson maybe?

I also have a feeling there was an MGB V8 in the late 70s. But maybe some people ran 1.8 in the early days? I am too young to remember. I can't remember reading about any running as factory cars pre the 1970 BL shutdown but I could be wrong.

Any ideas or leads appreciated. Thanks.

[MGDavid]

did the rules back then allow one-off specials?, there was a V8 Rangerover chassis with MGB body on top running around in the 80s but I've no idea if it ran in rallycross

[KA]

Before my time watching rallycross, but Pete Robertson ran a BGT in the early 80's...

http://archive.bebo.com/c/photos/vie...Id=10157838566

...and there were others

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwphoto...7604943333232/

I'd have to dig out the Bill Price BL Comps Department book to be sure, but I don't think the late 60's/early 70's factory rallycross entries ever included a B- Minis, Rover 3500, Austin Maxi, Triumph 1300, Austin 1300 etc, but not a B

[rx-guru]

Richard Stok, MGB GT V8 (3528cc) in the late 1970s.

[leonidas]

Thanks. The Pete Robertson was the one I remember - very distinctive with the bonnet bulge and wide arches. Don't suppose anyone can remember or has programmes indicating what sort of engine / suspension Pete Lewis was running? That sort of thing looks a bit more 'stock' and a bit more affordable....

I think the main difficulty will be the suspension and ground clearence issue. Its possibly why there weren't that many MGBs in rallycross the first time around. I know the later MGB road cars were jacked up anyway due to safety regs but I seem to remember everyone moaning that it wrecked the handling.

[v8rob]

The pete Robertson car ran a jag irs set up, in fact it is still in his shed if anybody is interested, it was also fitted with a supercharger so if you are building a retro rallycross car you could certainly run a supercharged v8 again... I think...

[leonidas]

Thanks for that - I'll pass on. He has a shell and engine but I think it will now get built for historic rallying mainly, but keeping open the rallycross option.

Would be great to see the Robertson car back though. It does make you wonder how many other old rallycross cars are sitting in sheds waiting to be rediscovered.

[seniormax]

The nearest I can get from memory, was Rob Gibson, he of Porsche 911 and 6R4 fame, used either a MG Midget or Healey Sprite in Autocross and Rallycross during the early to mid 70's, the car was always quick and I think it had Ford Crossflow engine fitted. Rob was always a very determined opponent and talking about Pete Robertson he used a Hillman Avenger in those days.

This was in the days when the original Snetterton rallycross track used parts of the old Norwich and Home Straights, plus we drove into and out of a deep pit on the infield after we had gone round the hairpin, then back onto the Home straight for while, followed by a banked infield loop back around to the Norwich straight again.

Another driver I remember using a different car to what people remember in later years was John Greasley, the car in question was a Hillman Imp with a Rover V8 motor in the back. HAPPY DAYS.

[BertMk2]

Excellent stuff Sorry about the delay in it appearing - the post got dragged into the moderator approval queue and I've only just cleared it. Photos of the car would be great.

[Hampton Caught]

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the first post, very interesting stuff.

Was this the car you used at Brands Hatch in its original rallycross format, whereby the cars entered Paddock Hill bend and immediately turned back on themselves to join the Cooper Straight (thus cutting off the whole of Druids), before cutting across the grass again to rejoin the start/finish straight at the end of Clark Curve?

I can remember being there for my first ever rallycross event and watching the MGB GT V8 hurtling at epic speeds towards Paddock Hill, but often being unhappy at turning right on to the rough stuff! I recall there being some Vauxhall Firenzas having the same handling 'issues'.

Such a shame that Brands Hatch seems to have turned its back on rallycross. The Grand Prix events in December through the 80's were not to be missed!

Any photos and anecdotes you can share will be warmly received.

Cheers, Steve

[Lapin127]

I never used the MGB at Brands Hatch, but I did do the first Brands Hatch event in 1975 (?) in my 1511 Wessex Mini. The track was not what you saw - we did a right just after the Pits, across the grass and back onto the Cooper Straight, then off again at Surtees, back onto the Start/Finish straight, not very interesting, but that day was freezing cold and very wet, so was very slippery. In practice, I totally lost it at the first bend and somehow went sideways all the way down the muddy grass bit to hit the tarmac exactly right, foot down and 3rd fastest! I think that Bruce Bamber did very well in a Wessex Mini, sponsored by Bose, who had a very comfortable double deck hospitality bus - very nice and warm, but they didn't seem to want to give access to muddy drivers, or the very pregnant wife of the Wessex Racing accountant, in the bus!

[Hampton Caught]

Hi Lapin,

Thanks for your message. It looks like we've described the very same track layout but in different ways.

Yes, it was very wet and greasy for everyone, competitors such as yourself and spectators like me. I was usually to be found at the top of the old wooden grandstand on the outside of Paddock Hill which gave superb views cross the whole track.

I was too young at that point to have a camera, so no pictures from back then, sad to say.

Cheers, Steve

[richardracer]

Hello there,

This is Richard Stok. As mentioned above, I bought the MgbGT shell off Pete Robertson and built it up as a V8 rally cross car for 1978 season with a Jag e type IRS with low ratio diff at rear and Triumph Vitesse front suspension. We made fiberglass doors and tailgate from Pete's moulds and use fiberglass front wings and bonnet. The flared rear arches looked like a Quattro and were in Stella courtesy of Pete's original. Strong and easy to repair. Engine evolved from ex scrapper on SU carbs to efi before TR8 and Vitesse. Solid lifters and crane cam, as described above. We quickly broke a Rover 3500s box and replaced it with a 4 speed Jag box, before SD1 boxes became available.

I have a photo record of the build (pre digital era) and a magazine article from the period. Loved that car, great traction off the line, but too heavy and not enough power. Oversteer on tap with back end roll centre too high.

If you are still interested, email me at richard@stok.co.uk.

Cheers

Richard Stok ( aka ricahrdracer)