Focus Event '05 MG—Triumph Challenge - MGVR.org

Letters
Editor’s note; This note was retrieved from MGVR e-group. To put it into perspective, a discussion on
MGVR’s upcoming 25th anniversary races at Hallett led to reminiscences of ‘all MG’ Collier Cup races at
the Glen starting in 1959. .
Frank,
As President of the Frank Mount Fan Club, I feel a responsibility to expand on your story. I was barely
out of my teens when the first all MG race was contested in 1959. For those of us who knew chapter and
verse of "Maintaining the Breed" we were thrilled when we made the short trip from Binghamton, NY to
the center of our universe, Watkins Glen. Upon our arrival we were thankful we were only spectators
and not the workers who had to wear those silly sailor hats.
You have modestly overlooked the fact that the Canadians figured prominently in every race. Of course,
my personal heroes Bob Bucher (MGA#029) and Sherm Decker (MGA#16) won their share of races the
two years they were on the calendar. However, what I really remember is how fast the Canadian T-types
were, and you were one of them!! At the time Canadians ran what was known as "prodified" so it was
thrilling watching pumped-up TCs running down the As I also remember the North American distributor
(J.S. Inskip/Hambro?) providing free parts. Didn't one of your fellow invaders get a free crankshaft? All of
this generosity meant the Canadians had more money left over for beer, which they shared with the likes of
my friends and me. A much belated thank you, except by the end of the day I was wearing a sailor hat.
After the races were over, everybody simply drove their race cars home. Ok, that might not be 100% true
but why let facts get in the way of established folklore? When I'm in the old folks home it will be those
glorious old days I will remember with great fondness and not the vintage races we are so fortunate to
experience today. This might explain why I drool whenever I see your car. Thanks for being part of history.
Joe Tierno (MGA#029)
This beautiful car is for sale. See ‘For
Sale’ pages for more info—ed.
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