MG return to Rallying?

[D428 CHO]

Rover's all-out bid to revive MG's motorsport credentials seems near-certain to include a Super 1600 rally car that could be in action by April.

Rover hasn't been seriously involved in rallying since it stopped running Metro 6R4s in 1987, but the new car is said to be taking shape at Gordon Spooner's premises in southern England and it is reckoned that it will not only be light, but could give up to 220 bhp - towards the limit for Super 1600 cars with the mandatory 60mm air restrictor.

Former British Champion Gwyndaf Evans is tipped to drive the MG. He has considerable front-wheel-drive experience, is a noted test driver and has enjoyed a long relationship with Spooner.

Even though MG Rover is already committed to Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship, a Rover spokesman pointedly declined to kill the story.

A host of car manufacturers are gearing up for the new category, the first international rally class to impose a limit on costs. Citroen, Peugeot, Fiat and Ford are expected to run cars in this year's World Championship, while VW, Opel and Suzuki are also showing an interest. An Opel Corsa was on display at last week's Autosports show, but reliable sources doubt that it will be turned into a true rally car until 2002 at the earliest.


Bring back the 6R4, I say! Still a rumour by the sounds of it but could be interesting, especially with Gwyndaf Evans driving.

[Maisie]

COOOL!

Where did you hear that Jonathan?

[D428 CHO]

The story is taken from http://www.worldrallynews.com

At last, a season where I'll have one team to cheer for in three different motorsport events/series

[MGF]

Yahoo!!! The Marque is well and truly back!! I can assure that I will be cheering as loud as anyone else when MG sweep the board at every event!!

[Craig]

Would be great to have Gwyndaf competing again! Though we were rather hoping he'd take up circuit racing after his showing in the Elise at Silverstone last year

[Sparky]

Originally posted by D420CHO:

Even though MG Rover is already committed to Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship, a Rover spokesman pointedly declined to kill the story.

Ooh, they are fibbing little so and so's over there at Rover, aren't they?

From PetrolHeads.com :

MG Rover Group has announced a full on assault on the motorsport world in an attempt to give the MG brand more clout. Aside from the MG badged Lola appearing at Le Mans, proper MG's will compete in touring car racing and rallying. The MGF one make series will also continue.

The rally entry, a version of the MG saloon project code named X30, will enter in selected rounds of the newly created F3 Super 1600 category of both the World and British Rally Championships. The car will be developed and run by GMD Motorsport, who have recruited the highly experienced international rally driver Gwyndaf Evans as lead driver.

Commenting on this extensive motorsport programme, Rob Oldaker, director product development at MG Rover Group said: "Our return to tarmac and gravel forms an integral part of our plans to re-energise the MG name"

He continued, "The work to-date has demonstrated the excellent capabilities of our MG Rover chassis' for motorsport application and the technical feedback will ensure all road-going MG's will bring to life the fun and excitement associated with the brand."