Author: Andrew Gowans

Stephen Jones’ 1973 MG Midget

myf_pic

‘Myf’ and Steve at Ringwood Hillclimb

Owner: Stephen Jones

City: Newcastle NSW Australia

Model: 1973 MG Midget

Engine: BMC A-Series 1327.4cc (+060)

Built by: 1990 by Geoff Foster/ Stephen Jones 2006

THE STORY:

‘Myf” is a 1973 MG Midget (US Spec). In 1990 Geoff Foster purchased her and built her into a race car. Geoff campaigned her around many of Victoria’s famous tracks until November 2000.

Steve Jones purchased the car in a very sad state in December 2007. She went into Steve’s workshop and underwent a full restoration. The car was completely stripped and the body sandblasted revealing an extreme lack of bodywork (rust). New inner & outer sills, A-pillars, footwells and lower rear guards were either purchased or made. Although the basics were there, Steve re-engineered a number of areas including the doors, boot, interior, wiring, engine breathing, front and rear suspension.

Every component was checked and repaired/ modified or replaced. Steve and a few mates did virtually all the work in Steve’s shed. The car was painted and after 12 months work, she had her first test run on a closed road. Here first race meeting in Steves’ hands was at a GEAR meeting in December 2008 where she instantly showed her potential. Since then Myf has competed at:

  • Oran Park (GP) – 1′:26″:93
  • Oran Park (south) – :52”:69
  • Wakefield Park – 1’:11”.63
  • Eastern Creek – 1’:55”:38
  • Mt Panorama – 3’:04”.01
  • Phillip Island – 2’:00”.95
  • Sandown Raceway – 1′:35″:84
  • Winton Raceway ( long) – 1′:45″:16
  • Ringwood Hillclimb (original short) – 32”.39
  • Ringwood Hillclimb (long) – 42″:64
  • Rob Roy Hill Climb – 26″:02
  • King Edward Park Hillclimb – 44”.04
  • At the 2011 MG National Meeting in Newcastle NSW, Steve and ‘Myf’ took the outright Hillclimb as well as outright Motorkhana trophies
  • Took the 2014 Australian Hillclimb title for Marque Sports < 1600ccat Ringwood Hill Climb (long)
  • took outright speed event title at 2014 MG National Meeting in Victoria (Rob Roy Hill Climb)

All of these (except for Mt Panorama) can be seen on Youtube.

Shannons Insurance

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine:

1327.4cc ‘A’ series block with thick flange bored +.060″ to 72.1mm x 81.28 stroke. Omega pressure cast pistons with machined tops to allow for the 1.5/1 lift ratio. Compression ratio: 12:1. Lightened crankshaft, wedged, cross-drilled, Tuftrided and fully balanced with large main bearings and a steel centre bearing cap for extra rigidity. Pauter rods, ARP bolts. APT Fast race cam. Aluminium Flywheel with a steel facing. Aluminium backing plate. Fully baffled sump. 2-quart Accusump fitted.

Induction:

Single Weber 45 DCOE carburetor on long neck manifold. K&N filter with 75mm ram tubes.

Ignition:

NGK BP6ES spark plugs. Lucas based Aldon Automotive Distributor with Ignitor II electronic ignition. Aldon Flamethrower coil.

Cooling:

High flow VW Golf radiator. 16 row oil cooler. Manually controlled electric fan.

Exhaust:

3 into 2 extractors then 2 into 1. 2” system running through the car. Single box muffler. Jet coated headers with exhaust wrap through the car.

Transmission:

MG Midget/ Needham 4-speed box with straight cut close ratio gears.

Ratios:  1st – 2.4:1, 2nd – 1.611:1, 3rd – 1.24:1,  4th – 1:1

Ceramic cruciform type clutch

Front Suspension:

CD Cortina Stub axles with Midget hubs. Nylatron bushings. 3/4″ anti-roll bar (removed for Hillclimbs). Uprated and lowered coil springs Frontline Telescopic conversion. AVO telescopic adjustable shock absorbers.

Rear Suspension:

Nylatron bushings. Lowering blocks. Koni adjustable telescopic shock absorbers. Panhard rod. Strut braces were made for the rear spring mounts in the boot up to roll bar welded onto chassis in the boot. Tramp rods fitted when needed.

Differential:

Quaffe limited-slip differential. 3.7:1 or 4.2:1 ratios.

CIG locked diffs. 4.875:1

Brakes:

7/8″ Master Cylinder. Standard drums (modified backing plates) with 9 1/2″ CD Cortina slotted discs. MGB calipers with Hawk Black pads and Mintex M20b competition rear shoes. 0.8″ MGB rear wheel cylinders. Wilwood Adjustable Proportioning valve.Braided brake & clutch hoses.

Wheels & Tyres:

Toyo R888 205/60/13 on 13″ x 7″ Minilite style alloy rims for normal racing.

Lifeguard Tyres Cessnock

Electrical & Instruments:

Autometer 8000 RPM Tachometer. MSD Shift light and soft touch rev limiter. 120mph MGB speedo. Rev limiter set to 8000rpm. Smiths oil temp gauge as well as the original Smiths oil pressure/ water temp gauge. 50lb oil pressure warning light.

Fuel System:

JAZ Fuel Cell 45.42lt. High output Mallory electronic fuel pump with pressure regulator. Longacre fuel pump cut off switch (12psi oil pressure).

Body Modifications:

Fibreglass guards, bonnet, doors, flares, boot lid. Inner front guards removed. Roll cage built to CAMS regulations. Sparco racing seat. 6 point 3” ERG racing safety harness. Front valance with hole cut for improved airflow over the oil cooler and brakes. Aluminium Tourneau cover.

Weight:

650 Kg’s (fully fueled without driver)

Horsepower:

103.8 RWHP

Racing Class:

CAMS logbooked Group 2B Marque Sports

Steve would like to thank Warren at Warners Bay Radiators for his invaluble help in everything to do with cooling MG’s, race cars and tow cars.

Gallery (Select an image to enter the Gallery):

Asho’s August 2017 report

They say how time travels fast when you’re having fun….well, that’s what I’ve been having as your President for the last three years. They also say all good things must come to an end. Well, that’s also true, as I won’t be standing for re-election at your Club’s AGM on 8th August. It’s time for a new leader with fresh ideas and a new approach.
We again had a great turnout at the July club meeting where members enjoyed hearing from guest speaker Val Herb from MTA travel. Val provides a personal approach with her 37 years’ experience as a travel agent, by coming to you at work or home to arrange your holiday travel.
As outgoing President, I am confident that your committee has provided members with a good broad range of activities, including trips away, club nights, film nights, the opportunity to attend an annual MG national event, Clubman Runs, Midweek Runs, Tuning Runs, car displays and for those who enjoy a bit of competition, track and hill climb events.
I have always considered the monthly Clubman Runs to be one of the best club activities so please organise your program to attend as many as you can and remember Clubman Runs go towards your annual point score! Most importantly though, you are enjoying your MG (or other sports car marque, social members!) with similar minded friends.
A reminder to our newer members to endeavour to attend an away trip like the Forster Keys fun weekend or the annual trip to GOF (Gathering of the Faithful) at Wagga. By the way, our 2017 trip to Wagga is coming up again in early September and I know that Captain Paul Smith has a few vacancies, so if you want to have a great time on a great trip with great friends, give Paul a call on 0412 850176 and book a spot!
The committee has decided to have this year’s “MG Concours” on a Saturday to encourage more of our members who live outside the Hunter Region to come along, display their cars and enjoy Saturday night out and Sunday breakfast with the rest of us! Please make a note of the date Saturday 4th November. The event will be at Lambton Park. We will be joined in the park on the day by a food and wine festival which should be a great event to complement our display of MGs.
Equally important as the MG Concours is your Club Presentation Day which will start with a local Clubman Run and finish back at the Club for lunch followed by the presentation of trophies. Make a note of the date Sunday 17th September and try to be there.
Finally, I would like to thank my committee member colleagues who have done a sterling job over the last three years to ensure that your Club ran efficiently. Several committee members won’t be standing for re-election next year, so I encourage as many members (as we have seats) to come along and put their hand up for a committee position.
Additionally, your attendance at the A.G.M. is encouraged, as one of my last official duties as President, will be to present a trophy to a special member.
Trish and I look forward to seeing you at Club meetings and Clubman runs in the future.
My final definition is “braking point” which is ostensibly the last point before a corner that you can apply the brakes and still negotiate the curve using the correct apex and exit points. Actually, a constantly moving spot on the racing circuit prior to corners. Its position is directly related to the proximity of other competitors!
Enjoy your MG with friends!

Ian (Asho) Ashton

New President Steve Jones Nov 2017

Gidday all, I’ve worked in many spots on the Clubs committee over the years and had a few years of relaxing whilst Bev has been doing the Editors job. So now we've upped the ante and now we are both on the committee.

For those that don't know me, I have a B (and a bit) and several Midgets (road & track). Bev knows where I am most of the time, in the shed playing with the MG's. With this many, some are always neglected and there is always work to do on one or more of them.

I'm really looking forward to being the figure head of our Club. It takes all of the members to make the Club. We on the committee will do our best but please remember, we are members of this club for the enjoyment, we don't get paid and we are doing it only to give something back. If you think you can do it better, there are 2 positions still vacant on the committee, put your hand up.

See you on the road sometime soon.

Jonesy