MGFest07 took place over the first sunny weekend of a very wet year. Around 400 cars turned up for the weekend, to take part in the first MGFest, a festival atmosphere that combined the more traditional MG car event with a party spirit. The event was not just open to owners of the MGF and TF, however, and many other models from the MGB to a ZA Magnette attended.

Friday was the day to arrive and set up the tent for the weekend of camping, this was the first challenge, 2 people, 2 chairs, 2 air beds, 2 sleeping bags, a table, a tent and then all the rest of the camping gear, food and clothes. This is not an easy task in an MGF! Every little space in the vehicle had to be used in order to get everything in! But we made it, and were able to set up camp nice and early before others could arrive to see our attempt at putting the tent together.

On the Saturday morning, around 100 vehicles set off on a circular road run of 76 miles with half going in either direction. A suitable pub was found by most at the halfway point, where the cars lined the streets outside.

The evening’s entertainment was in the MG Bar, a marquee with live bands, large bar and an excellent hog roast. Once it was dark enough, it was time for the glow car parade. The entrants prepared their cars, and then followed the MGCC Safety Car round to the marquee area. Out front was Nick Holland in his bright yellow MG ZR with just about every conceivable part glowing in a rainbow of colours! (See the gallery pictures). Behind this was a tastefully done MGF with green under-car lighting, followed by the entrant that I had prepared with some friends using glow sticks from the local fair! Nick’s car really attracted the attention, and at one point was surrounded by well over 100 people all wanting to get a look, quite a scary moment.

Sunday was the main day of the event, with displays and trade stands around the arena, and various competitions taking place in the centre. NAC MG were there with a display of the new MG cars, and Roger Parker from the MG Owners Club ran sessions on car care and modifications. The morning started off with the fun driving test, where participants used their own vehicle to go around a course of tricky challenges.

After this, it was time for the Brown & Gammons reverse drive MGF - A silver MGF VVC that had the steering converted so that it turned in the opposite direction from normal! This attracted a lot of participants, all keen to have a go at this strange experience. A course was laid out with small cones every metre, and for each cone you touched you picked up a penalty point, with any reversing out of a situation adding another 5 penalty points. I set off second on this course and completed a clear round, which stood until the last few competitors took part, and then 4 others including Nick Holland (driving an MGF for the first time - think he might be converted!) managed clear rounds also. This meant there had to be a tie breaker. The 5 of us with clear rounds had to grab a passenger and then complete the same course whilst blindfolded with the passenger guiding us!

The loudest exhaust competition attracted a lot of competitors, with the Heathrow Air Ambulance vehicle in attendance at the show (a big American truck!) also taking part, with a little cheating when they set off the siren!

With all the activities happening, it then came to Pride Of Ownership judging time. A lot of immaculate MGFs and TFs went through the tent for judging, followed by the Non MGF/TF category which Nick Holland had entered his MG ZR into. Unfortunately for Nick, he was up against a lovely MG RV8.

The day was extremely hot, and with very little shade around most of us ended up a little sun burnt. The fest finished off with the award ceremony, and to my surprise my name was called out as the winner of the fun driving tests, and then shortly after it was confirmed that I had also won the B&G reverse drive MGF! An excellent result! Our other Oxfordshire MGOC member, Nick, also picked up two trophies, the runner up for his class in the Pride Of Ownership, and the winner’s trophy for the glow car parade! An excellent result for Oxfordshire MGOC.

The weekend was such a success that the MGF Register is now planning to make this an annual event, so hope to see some more of our local club there, and perhaps we can come back with some more trophies. And next year, Nick had better look out, as we won’t be using glow sticks, but I might have ended up pimping my MGF with a full range of under-car lighting!
 

Stewart Griffiths