Summary; My Chat, Upcoming September Events, 90thAnniversary Year, Centre Facebook Page, Wiscombe Hill Climb 2027, Ian Benningfield’s Donation Page, Jon Pittard Donation Page.
My Chat,
A busy week this week, I am going to the Severn View Services on Thursday to greet our colleagues from the MG Car Club of France as they start their journey around Wales. Several other member of the South West Centre will be joining me. Details in the list of events below.
On Friday I will be going down to Devon to help set up the Wiscombe Hillclimb which we are dedication to the late Ian Beningfield. I was speaking to Peter Isaacs, Managing Director of Wiscombe Ltd. today, who said that it would be a real shame if the MGCC didn’t run their annual event next year. The clubs that are helping us this year are more than willing to help out in the future as well. We are still looking for an organiser for next years event, no experience necessary as full support will be given. See the note towards the end of this ‘chat’.
The following week, on Sunday 20th we have the Dave Coppock Autotest on grass. This was postponed from last month due to the extreme high temperatures causing a risk of fires starting due to hot exhausts. Now we have had some rain, the grass should be a bit greener and not so dry. Please do get your entry in because at the moment we only have a few pre-booked and the event could be cancelled without some more support. I have my entry in, and I expect I will be in my normal place when the results are computed, dead last! However it is great fun and allows you to let your hair down and hoon about in a safe environment.
Upcoming September Events
We have a full calendar of events taking place in September
- Thursday 10th September – Meet with a group of MG drivers from the MG Club of France.
Nine members of the MG Club of France are spending a few days travelling around Wales. On 10th September they are travelling to Wells and Bath before crossing the Severn into Wales. They are planning a stop at the Severn View Services at around 16:00 and would be pleased to meet any member of the South West Centre in their MGs for a coffee and a chat. You may remember I asked for a list of potential spares/repair workshops on their route some time ago. I was very pleased with the response and the information you supplied has now been included in their travel book. If you are interested in meeting some of our French counterparts, I have created an event on the website at this linkAuto Tour by MG Club of France - Saturday 12th September – The MGCC, Ian Beningfield Memorial Hillclimb at Wiscombe Park As mentioned above, our annual meet at Wiscombe takes place on September 12th this year and has been renamed in honour of Ian Beningfield who was assistant Clerk of Course at this event for the last couple of years. Entries opened on Tuesday last week and up to Monday 24th August we have the maximum 135 entries, so. If you still want to enter, we will be starting a reserve list from now on. Wiscombe are offering a ‘Club Package’ including a dedicated parking area and discounted tickets for MG car Club Members to attend as spectators at this wonderful venue. Details on how to take advantage of the ‘Club Package’ are on the website at this link Wiscombe Hill Climb.
- Saturday 12th September 2026 – MGCC Midland Centre 12 Car Regularity Rally. Bob Blackstock is running a Regularity Rally for the Midland Centre starting from Westons Cider Mill, Much Marcle, Ledbury, and has invited members from the South West Centre to enter. Full details are on the website at this link Midland Centre 12 Car Rally. Bob is short of one marshal, so please get in touch (blackstocks2000@aol.com) if you fancy a day out marshalling, roughly 10.00am until 3.00pm.
- Sunday 20th September – Dave Coppock Memorial Autotest on Grass
As a tribute to another MGCC stalwart who passed away 2 years ago, we have renamed the 2nd autotest on grass The Dave Coppock Memorial Autotest. This event was organised by Dave for several years and is held with permission of the Farmer George Atwell, who was a good friend of Dave’s. Full details including the SRs and Entry form are available at this link to the website, The Dave Coppock Memorial Autotest
90th Anniversary Year 2026 – 90 for the 90
We now have a total of 131 photos posted to the website. The oldest car is an MG 18/80 and the newest is a 2023 MG Motors HS, with one member having 29 entries. Keep your entries coming, final date for entries is the 20th September.
As the weather is improving, don’t forget to take your birthday card with you when you are out and about in your MG (I keep mine in the glove box of the MGF). The ’90 for the 90’ challenge is easy, just select a destination from the list in the birthday card, take a digital photograph of you, your car, your birthday card and the location as evidence of your visit and submit a claim and photograph using the claim form accessed here. We are not expecting you to visit all the 90 places, but there could be a prize for the MG car that visits the most different venues.
All items in the Clothing Store are now available with either the normal South West Centre Logo or the new 90th Anniversary logo. Select the item you require, T-shirt, Polo shirt, Sweat Shirt, Premium Cap, Beanie, Hoodie, Fleece Jacket, Softshell Jacket, Shell Gilet, Soft Padded jacket, soft padded gilet or long-sleeved shirt, then select the colour and size and then you have the option to select which of the two logos you require. It couldn’t be simpler. Very suitable attire to carry out the ‘90 For The 90’ challenge.
Centre Facebook Page
Another way to keep up to date with what is going on in the Centre is to visit the SW Centre Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/MGCCSW regular updates are posted there. Also, we have a SW Centre WhatsApp group, message me on my mobile 07773491953 to be included in the group. We are revamping the WhatsApp Group to make it more secure by creating an MG Car Club South West Community. Once the community has been set up and tested, we will ask current members of the South West Centre WhatsApp groups to move across into the new secure community.
Wiscombe Hill Climb 2027 Event Organiser Required
As a consequence of Ian Benningfield’s passing, we have managed to sort this year’s event with a lot of assistance from Woolbridge Motor Club, Torbay Motor Club and Wiscombe Park. The current committee do not have the relevant experience to carry out the administrative functions of organising such a prestigious event and are therefore seeking a volunteer to become the ‘Wiscombe Hill Climb Event Organiser ‘ it would be the sole task of this person. No experience is necessary as the role will be well supported by Wiscombe Ltd. and the Clubs helping us out this year. The task is not onerous and should take very little time during the beginning on the year up until late June when it starts getting a bit more involved as the event date in September approaches. If you are interested or want to know more drop me an email at jim.lott@hotmail.co.uk.
Ian Beningfield’s Donation Page
Following the untimely death of Ian Beningfield, The Meningitis Research Foundation have set up an official donation page in memory of Ian at https://ianbeningfield.muchloved.com/ and all proceeds go to the Foundation.
Jon Pittard’s Donation Page
Following Jon’s celebration of life service last week, his family are suggesting that donations be made in memory of Jon to St Peters Hospice, who did an excellent job of caring for Jon in the last days of his life. Donations can be made vis Jon’s Tribute Page https://www.stpetershospice.org/tribute-funds/jon-pittard/.
Jim Lott
Chairman, MGCC SW Centre
jim.lott@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile: 07773491953
