List
The following information may not be 100% accurate but it should be of
interest to all racers.
MG Rover - the company formed after BMW were forced to sell Rover - are to
get the EX255 car back to the salt. As you all know it got to Wendover in
'98 but did not run under power. In 2001 it is hoped that this modified
MGF sportscar will go 255 with 1000 bhp (sea level I guess) V8 power.
Whilst endorsed by the Company this was a project led by the talented
workforce. The first MGF built made 217 mph with its smaller turbo motor
and US driver.
The news for 2002 revolves around a desire to attempt to attain the fastest
wheeldriven World Record with a totally new car. Al Teagues 409 mph is the
target to beat (now) - it may be higher in 2002 of course. The reports so
far talk of running in August 2002. Speedweek does not yet hold two way
FIA runs so that may just be using it as a warm up event prior to the World
Finals.
This bid could be a corporate backed attempt and would be a return to the
attempts of the pre war era by MG and Austin Healey. No news on driver(s).
Andy Green had the job in '98 but he has not been mentioned yet.
Just to complete the cross atlantic links - Lola Cars the maker of Indy Car
chassis amongst many of their race car range - are partners in the new MG
Rover company. The Chief designer at MG Rover designed the shape and
layout of the McLaren FI roadcar.
Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England
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