SW Centre Drivers Championship
I was going to title this article ‘everything you wanted to know about the SW Centre Drivers Championship but were afraid to ask’ – but that would be something of a cliché, and wouldn’t fit on the page anyway! Notwithstanding the lack of a snappy title, I’m going to try to address some of the questions that I assume you would ask if only you had the time (or indeed the inclination)…
What is it?
The SW Centre Drivers Championship is a light-hearted competition to add some additional spice to the season of events.
How does it work?
Drivers (and passengers too as you’ll learn later) are awarded points for competing in SW Centre events – the better you do, the more points you get. The points are totted-up and the driver with the most points wins the championship. It’s as simple as that.
Did you say ‘points’?
Yes I did. The championship scores, or ‘points’ are administered Russell Morgan – which is just as well, as he is the only person who really understands the scoring system! Points are awarded according to the drivers performance in a particular event; Russell uses a complex algorithm (so he says!) to ensure parity such that there is no particular advantage associated with any particular care – ie the championship is a true ‘drivers’ championship rather than a ‘best-car’ competition. Bonus points are awarded for each type of event entered; so to win, a driver needs to perform moderately (and consistently) well in a range of different event types – hence no particular car provides an unfair advantage. I jest a bit but, as you’ll see below, the scoring system actually works rather well in creating a level playing field…
Where do I find the results?
Yes, you’ve guessed it – on the website. If you’ve provided an e-mail address then you’ll get regular updates too. If you prefer the traditional ‘paper and pencil’ approach then printed copies of the latest results are usually available at natters, or you can telephone one of the committee contacts whose numbers are on the printed SW calendar.
What type of car do I need?
Anything with an MG badge when it left the factory, plus Austin Healey Sprites too of course. The 2008 winner, Jim Lott, used a combination of an MG Metro and an MGTF. The 2007 championship was won by Peter Jones in his 18/80; in 2006 the winner was Bruce Morgan using an MG TF (the old sort) and an MGB GT V8; looking backwards still further we have a Midget, MGB GT, MG TF and MGF combination in the preceding three years. I think you get the picture: it doesn’t matter what car you have, you can still win! And don’t worry if you have a particularly obscure car that is only suitable for certain events, or your main interest is in social runs – because there are class awards to go for too!
Who can enter?
Any and all SW Centre members can enter – all you need to do is to take part in a SW Centre event and your entry will be automatic. Despite the name, the championship is also open to passengers… Recognising that couples and even families double or triple-enter cars in the ‘competitive’ events, passenger points are available for social events.
Does it cost me anything?
No, not a single penny.
Which events count towards the championship?
Any event preceded by a bold (C) on the SW calendar is a ’round’ of the championship. If you haven’t got your calendar yet then don’t despair, as all of the points scoring events are listed in the SW Centre Notes elsewhere in this issue.
How do I get my prize?
The Centre has a range of trophies that are awarded at the Annual Dinner (check the calendar for details of the next event!). There are full size trophies to be kept for the year and souvenir awards to decorate your mantelpiece for ever.
What’s the point, really?
The point is to encourage participation in events. For example, the championship was a very close run affair in 2006 so the entry of the Mendip Trial (a production car trial held in the summer months so normally warm and dry!) was swelled significantly by a number of drivers who were chasing bonus points. Those drivers (myself included) who ordinarily would not even have considered entering a trial had a whole new world of motorsport opened up to them – so now at trials you’ll see racing MGBs and concours Midgets rubbing wings (not literally!) with trials-specials and kit-cars.
Right then, I’m interested. Where do I go for more information?
To the website, where you’ll find ‘the regs‘ or speak to anyone on the committee – they’ll help you with anything else you might needs to know.