Member Gallery – MGA Racer

It took me over 2 years to get my friend to sell me the parts car he had stored in his woods. It had been stripped bare by him and the prior owner so all I got was a frame and rusted fenders. Over the next several years I restored the car to my version of a non-standard MGA. There is no bumpers, top, or interior other than the seats. The windshield is a copy of the rare MGA racing one but most of the work and money went into the five main bearing MG 1800 engine. It has almost every racing option available at the time installed so the performance is MUCH improved. The entire front suspension is MGB as is the ‘71 transmission. It has been in many shows and on “demo” laps of many North East race tracks. It was awarded first in the altered class at GT29.

Bob did the necessary mods to qualify his MGA as a vintage racer in the winter of 1988. 1989 was his rookie racing season. He now races in the SVRA Class 3-F which is 1600 and 1622 MGA’s, Morgans 4/4, etc. The car carries the permanent number “76” and is known nationally as “Honeybee.” Bob is presently the 44th recepient of the annual Collier Brothers Memorial Trophy, The Collier Cup, awarded since 1953 at Watkins Glen, NY. “Honeybee is an honest MG with an engine designed to run and run for one long time. Vinatage racing is an absolute gas. I’d be pleased to discuss how to get started in racking, or even some of “Honeybee’s innards.

THE famous Honey Bee 1960 MGA

#49 MGA pulling into the Winners Circle at Watkins Glen. Crew Chief Mark Barnhart and Driver David Smith. Car was built by the Michigan Rowdies in 1995 and has been in competition since. Raced at Sebring, Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca, Road America, Mosport Park Mid Ohio, Watkins Glen, Summit Point, Pocono, Gingerman, Waterford Hills, Grattan, Put In Bay Ohio, and other venue. Was the SVRA E Production Champion in 1997.

Whiskey Hill paddock (Palmer, MA) 2016

On the “touring” laps at Road America, Wisconsin. The only rules: no Passing in the turns. Flat out at 6,000rpm thru the gears, but passed by only the best - which means everyone! Had a good time, but was a little worried about getting the 100 miles home at the endof the day.

I’ve owned this car for over 35 yrs. Used to (drag) race it all the time. Drive it to the track, run high 11’s through the 1/4 mile, and drive it home.This street legal racer is dependable and we vacation in it! The wife doesn’t really appreciate the lack of trunk room, but it sure is fun…

On this particular weekend we drove from Orange County (Ca) to Sears Point Raceway (Infinion), raced on the track, went wine tasting, attended a British car show, then drove home the next day.

This MGA was purchased in 2010, originated out of California but spent most of it’s life in Oklahoma. Having sat in a garage for 30 years the MGA was found to be an extremely original example (58K miles), having only one respray in ‘Sunset Orange’ (originally black) sometime in the early 70’s. Given it’s originality the MG needed very little in the way of cosmetic body/paint work so I decided to leave the car as is…polished out the paint, installed a new interior, completely rebuilt the brakes, hydraulics, fuel system, charging system, changed all fluids etc. I always liked the look of the MGA Sebring race cars so I made a few mod’s to replicate the Sebring look…cut down windscreen, hood straps, knock-off disc wheels, front hose air intake, driving lights, bumper removal, and of course the distinctive ‘white nose’ paint job & racing numbers. All mod’s can be removed so that the MGA can go back to a regular street machine if so desired.

This 1957 MGA racer was originally built in southern California in the late 70s. I discovered it after being garaged for some years. Full restoration and race prep was complete in the winter of 04. Now racing with CSRG, HMSA and SCCA. Nick named “The Pile”.

The Jump - Weatherly Hill Climb

1958 race car