Silverstone Racing School's MG Maestro 1600s -anyone know anything about 'em?

[steve sde]

BBC Sporting Chance 1985 - SRS Maestro race - Leslie Ash

Something else just came to me.... In September 1985 at an SRS Maestro/FF1600 meeting we were blessed with the company of Leslie Ash (pre-trout pout) during fliming of Leslie having her 'Sporting Chance' racing a Maestro with us. Sporting Chance was presented by Anneka Rice....

http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/761813

Leslie raced in Race 1 for the Maestros for newer (and slightly less on the pace) drivers in that Sept '85 meeting and had an in car cam in her car for the TV show. In Race 2 that I was in, they pretended that she was in that race as well and going quicker than in race 1, but actually it was an SRS instructor at the wheel who was just sitting behind the leading group of 6 of us in that race, which was obvious as you could see his crash helmet was different to Leslie's in the rear view mirror and he knew how to heel and toe.... Might be worth tapping up the BBC or sending a message to Anneka if she knows what BBC vault that Sporting Chance episode went into... It was one of the best SRS Maestro races ever!!

http://annekarice.tv/index.php/contact.html

Not sure when it was shown on TV, Spring '86 I think even though it was filmed in September '85

[Guest]

Thanks Steve, a brilliant sequence. It looks as though you had a thoroughly good time! One of my colleagues drove a Maestro, visited Silverstone regularly and regaled us with a resume of the action over lunch on Mondays.

[John C]

Tremendous -thanks, Steve! Fascinating to read -a unique first hand insight into Silverstone's school at this time. Shows the power of the internet when someone on the other side of the globe (Hong Kong) spots an information request and then adds their own memories and photos to the archive

[steve sde]

No probs John, also posted a couple of replies on the Rallysprint 83 thread regarding the Maestros.

[John C]

Not sure if you can see this Group:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/austinrovermotorsport/

but if you word search for the following text (that I posted a few minutes ago):
"Thanks for posting this -I own the ex-Silverstone circuit Maestro in the pic!"
it will take you post that shows an MG Maestro skid car at Silverstone circuit (probably one of the ex-Donington Rally Sprint cars used by Silverstone)

[steve sde]

Cool, just applied to join group.. Post any pics u like of the Maestros/Metros and Montys..

[steve sde]

I think the cars used on the skid cars where newer, not ex-Donington/SRS race cars, note different grill and lack of roll cage...

[John C]

Here's where the cars ended up after Silverstone had finished with them:
http://www.mithril.co.uk/

Then they were bought by Chris Roberts for 'Rally through the Decades' rallyschool. This then wound up and I bought them from Chris (without knowing anything of their history!)

[steve sde]

A copy of one of the Silverstone Racing School's race weekend news reports from the days of the Maestros being thrashed around the Silverstone GP Circuit in June 1986.. 2.10:9 fastest lap being just over 80 mph average lap speed.. Pretty good as the cars only did 104 mph at the end of the Hangar Straight!

[John C]

Great job -thanks Steve!

Here's the latest twist in researching the above...

Dear Mr Chappell,

Are you the same Peter Chappell who posted on this page about the MG Maestro racing at Silverstone?:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/cars...estro-2-0-efi/

If so, I would be very interested to make contact with you to discuss the races.- John Clayton
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-chappell/20/90/a95

[Guest]

I'd be very interested if anyone still has results sheets from the 1985 SRS Maestro races, or photos like Steve has posted.
I did one of the races, very wet, in either March or May that year.

[John C]

Why don't you post below an account of your experience in the race?

Do also quote your name so that we can find you in the race sheets if/when we unearth some!

[steve sde]

Mark's race result and brief race report from April 1985 to be scanned and uploaded tomorrow

[steve sde]

As promised, Silverstone Racing Club report of that event.

[Guest]

Thanks very much Steve!