I have to be careful or I will over plan a project and fall short in executing it – kind of like working for the government or a large company. Plan, plan and plan some more, but never actually do anything.

I have been carrying around a white binder that has numerous dividers. SVRA specs, so I build according to SVRA’s rules. I have created a build schedule, so I make sure that I do everything in the appropriate order, especially when it comes time to start removing parts from one car and placing them in the second. I have a tab that is keeping track of necessary parts and tools that I don't have, and I have a tab that is keeping the current copy and design ideas for http://www.thinkracing.net/ – a site designed to pay tribute to the Think Racing Team.

Of most importance prior to major build work has been the preparation of the work space. My garage is a dream. There are only two bays, but the space is large. Despite its size, it was not organized in a way that was conducive to a major build like what I am attempting to do.

I needed a larger work bench area, more shelf space for spare parts, plenty of room for sandblasting, places to put wheels, fenders, doors, etc. as well as keep two MGs leaving enough room to actually work, weld and paint.

I think I have accomplished that goal to the best that can be done. I have taken pictures but have not had any success uploading them. I built a new work bench complete with peg board and space to store the motor, transmission and air compressor. I have a permanent spot for my vise and drill press, as well as plenty of storage for nuts and bolts, spare/leftover part and other garage memorabilia that needed a home. The shelf units have been moved and the cars are sat horizontally in the garage bay.

I bought two wheel dolly sets from harbor freight (check out http://www.harborfreight.com/), my new tool mecca, so I could store my cars in the garage horizontally vs. vertically. They are great. However you need to move your cars around, stick them on the dollies and in direction desired. The benefit to me is that it gives me plenty of space between cars to do what will need to be done throughout the build.

I would include pictures, but currently they are not uploading.

So the work space is done. The car has been emptied of its parts boxes and awaits the next step. Guess I better go consult the build schedule. I have a feeling I am about to do some actual work on the car.

So for years I have debated - What car would I run? Should I stick with the MGBGT, or run a MGB. Which series, SCCA or SVRA? Should I build a street legal, autocross/vintage race car? What color scheme? Colors are fairly insignificant, however I have made some decisions and things are starting to fall into place.

I am going to run the MGB as an SVRA spec vintage race car. The vehicle will not be street legal, but I will, as I continue to build and prepare it, compete in SCCA Solo II competition.

For the last several weeks, I have been studying the SVRA competition regulations, as well as creating a build sheet – what to do and when, budget development and a compilation of the necessary parts and needed tools list. In between all of that, I was also searching the southeast for a good MGB body that would serve as the donor recipient of my red 1971 MGB GT.

After countless inquiries and searches, during my lunch break, I typed MGB parts car into http://www.google.com/ and fate took over. With 37 minutes left, an ebay auction was about to close on a 1975 MGB.

I quickly shot the link to my dad and together over the phone we studied the pictures. I was not looking for a car that required a lot of additional body work and panel replacement. It was important that whatever car I moved on, it had to be in great shape.

It looked like this vehicle was the one. The kicker, I won the auction and purchased the entire car for a whopping $76.

I called my wife and told her, I bought the MGB. The only caveat - The gentleman that I purchased it from was moving from Maryland, where the car was located, to New Hampshire, so we had to get it that weekend.

Luckily, mom and dad were on the way, so we packed up the kids and made the trip to Northern Virginia. Dad and I were up that Saturday and off to claim this prize. We had no real idea what to expect. It took us the whole morning and afternoon – the most difficult part being a frozen rear wheel on the passenger side - to get the car in position to be flat towed home.

I flat towed the car – having named it Grace – back to our home in Winston-Salem, NC.

It now resides in my garage awaiting the first steps in its transformation. MGs are great, especially when you can fit two of them on one side of the garage.

The Second Generation

Dad has always said that it was his fault. That his involvement in racing and British sports cars was what caused me in turn to want to follow in the same footsteps. He is right, but I don’t blame him.

My first race was in the fall of 1974, the last race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), prior to its reopening in 2000. I was less than a year old. The years following were jammed pack with British car shows, bike shows, SCCA regional and national races, as well as a host of SVRA, HSR and IMSA racing.

Dad raced his Sprite back in the 70s and 80s and throughout the 90s we participated as volunteers. I have always been an enthusiast and had the desire to compete myself one day, but I have never taken the opportunity for some reason. Arguably, now is not the time to start given the fact that I have two small children at home and a stay at home wife. But, the iron is hot and I am ready to strike.

I hope to capture the moments from now until the day my MGB sets tires on the race track – no matter how many years it takes.

Follow the story, offer me any help and insight you might have and cheer me on.