It may be hard to imagine, but some vintage events are now becoming vintage themselves, and SVRA’s vintage Collier Cup race for MGs at Watkins Glen will celebrate its 25th running this September 10–13 at the Optima Batteries U.S. Vintage Grand Prix. It was initiated by SVRA in 1985 with the support of the MG Vintage Racers and the blessings of Miles C. Collier, to carry on the early pioneering MG racing spirit of Sam and Miles Collier, both of whom passed away in the early 1950s.
Only eight MGs contested that first Collier Cup race, but vintage racing and MG participation were growing. Bob Colaizzi, racing a MG TD, was the first winner, and over the years, the vintage Collier Cup grew in importance, with ever-larger fields of MGs.
In 1994 there were 60 entries, and in 2004 an incredible record-breaking turnout of 143 racing MGs took part!
Today, MG is the largest single marque group involved in vintage racing, and a large turnout of MGs is expected for this year’s historic event. The vintage Collier Cup is a spirit award determined by a vote of the drivers in the race who select, from their own, the MG racer who best demonstrates the “Spirit of MG Vintage Racing.”
Additionally, the following awards have been added to the race over the years by various other sponsors, making it even more prestigious: the Denver Cornett Jr. Trophy for first MG overall; the T Cup for first MG “T”; the Bucher-Decker Trophy for the first MGA; and the Bill Glanville Memorial Cup for the first MG Midget.
Featured category for the Optima Batteries weekend will be Formula 5000, the late, lamented American Grand Prix class that died a premature death, while the event will also offer a Centennial Jubilee celebrating 100 Years of Morgans. For more information, contact: Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) at: www.svra.com, or MG Vintage Racers at: MGVR.org.
