Silverstone is open for bookings
 
The annual highlight of our year - the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit is now open for bookings. It's Monday 26th March and there are two MG sessions and one Lotus on Track (LoT) session giving a total of 86 MG places. We've managed to hold the prices to £160 (MGCC members) and £170 (non-members) - the same as last year.
 
Unfortunately, Silverstone's terms and conditions make it impossible for us to accept absolute beginners on this event. You need to have driven on at least one UK race circuit to be eligible. This need not have been with MGoT. Please make sure that your experience level is set correctly in your user profile before you make your booking. Anyone with an experience level of 'first-timer' will not be eligible to book and we'll have to remove the booking and refund.
 
Don't forget that you need to be registered on the website and logged in to book - otherwise you won't see the 'book and pay' button on the event page - here. Also, remember to make sure that your MGCC membership number is in your user profile before you book; otherwise the website will charge you the non-MGCC price.
 
As always, instruction and limited helmet hire is available. I strongly encourage instruction, especially if you've never driven the GP circuit before - it's a lot to learn on your own! But then, there's always something new to learn even if you've driven it many times before.
 
Goodwood sells out - reserve list now open
 
Goodwood on Saturday 25th February has now sold out. Martin Charles, the event manager for this day, is organising the reserve list. If you want to add yourself to the reserve list then email him at martinc@mgs-on-track.co.uk straight away. There will inevitably be a large reserve list. With just 40 places available this circuit is always over-subscribed.
 
Lunchtime parade laps at Goodwood
As our Goodwood day is on a Saturday there will be lunchtime parade laps for any spectators that come along. There will be a small charge and the proceeds will go to charity. Andy Harris of Chichester MGOC will be organising the parade laps. For more information contact him on andy.harris@computer-assets.co.uk or alternatively, contact MGoT's Goodwood event manager, Martin Charles, on martinc@mgs-on-track.co.uk.
The parade laps are an ideal opportunity to see what this famous circuit looks like from the drivers seat. Speeds will be limited so no crash helmets are required. However, if you fancy seeing what it's like going a little faster, then we can usually arrange a passenger lap or two with one of our regular drivers, as long as we can find you a spare helmet. Be warned though - most people usually decide it's great fun and join in the next available track day as a driver themselves!

Some beginner stories in MG Enthusiast magazine
We had a special guest at our Donington day in October last year. Simon Goldsworthy from MG Enthusiast magazine came along to see how our beginners got on. The result is a great article which should appear in the Feb 2012 issue which will be on sale in newsagents from mid-January. If you've never been to an MGoT track day, then grab yourself a copy and read all about it.
 
Featured are Paul Darley with his 1968 MGC, Sharon and Chris Marshall with their 2004 ZS180, Bill Cannon with his 2006 ZS180, Anthony James with his 2002 MG TF, Chris Hasluck with his 1970 MG Midget, Neil and Andrew Jenkinson with their 1995 MGF and Josh Culverwell with his 1975 MGB GT. Ignore the ugly, old bloke boring the audience in the lead photo - that was me!
 
Over to our new scribe - take two!
News of my death (as a scribe) have been greatly exaggerated (by me!) - to borrow what, apparently, is a very inaccurate Mark Twain quote.
 
I did introduce you to Steve Brand in the last newsletter. Steve is taking over the column that goes out in Safety Fast magazine each month, but will probably not take over this newsletter - for now at least. In the meantime I may write the odd one or two more or you may hear from Nigel Silman who is in the process of joining the MGoT committee along with three others at our next AGM in March. Watch this space :-)
 
Dave Livingstone.