The MG Vintage Racers (MGVR) celebrated their 25th anniversary this past June, with three full days of “MG-only racing” at Oklahoma’s Hallett Raceway—the first all-MG race weekend held in North America.
Founded with 38 MG vintage racers in 1981, as a newsletter, MGVR now has 250 members. Although not a race-sanctioning organization, it encourages MG vintage racing, and has worked closely with race-sanctioning bodies over the years to facilitate MG races at a variety of North American events.
The three-day anniversary race event at Hallett provided racers with lots of track time and classes for all models of MGs. In addition to practice, there were scratch races, handicap races, tag team races, and an enduro.
Another part of the weekend’s festivities included the bestowment of three special recognition awards. As voted by his fellow racers, Reed Yates was selected for MGVR’s “Spirit Award” based on his outstanding “vintage spirit.” Yates served as the anniversary event’s chairman, while also racing his MGTF and ’34 MG N-type. MG Midget racer Grover Maurer was presented the “Bill Parish Award,” in recognition of a racer focused on having lots of fun, while not concerned about winning. At 75-years-young, Maurer runs mid-pack and often helps his fellow racers with their cars. Finally, a special plaque was presented to Greg Prehodka, as the founder of MGVR, who has been racing the same MGTD since 1977.
Next year’s “Focus Event” will be with VARAC at Mosport in June 2007. For more information visit www.MGVR.org.
