When I started this project I never envisioned a number of things that would become a reality:
1) This can be consuming. Obviously, a project like requires a lot of time in the garage just to get things done, but beyond the garage you have to research the rules, sanctioning bodies, safety equipment, vendors, parts, etc. etc. I am tired and am starting to look forward to a maintenance mode that does not require as much time and focus.
2) I have learned a ton. I have driven MGs for years, but never went too deep beyond changing the oil and maybe a few other low hanging fruit type maintenance. Now, I am pulling motors, installing transmissions, rebuilding suspensions, doing electrical work and figuring out innovative ways to make things work that were not necessarily built for my car.
3) I have made a ton of new friends. The racing and MG community are made up of some great people. There are those like myself who love the marquee and others who share that love, but also offer valuable and top-notch services. None of the above could have been accomplished without having had these people in my life.
4) There is a renewed closeness with my family. One of my hopes through going racing was the experience that it would bring to my family. Sharing this experience with them has brought us all closer, because it has been an outlet, or platform, for us all to spend time together.
5) It would be a strange trip that is full of zigs and zags. To go Vintage racing has always been the main objective and that has not changed. It takes a lot of resources to build a competitive car and realistically I knew it could not be done overnight. And then when you combine licensing requirements, etc. it can be daunting if you understand it all in the beginning. I did not, which is good, because I probably never would have started :) However, as the objective remains the same, the road map to get there is always changing. This year is a prime example. I have decided to go SCCA club racing in order to get my license and experience prior to hitting the vintage circuit in '09. This eliminates a lot of complexity as it relates to licensing and will also ensure that I am a better driver.
The car is getting its cage installed as I type this and I have started ordering parts to install the oiling system for when I get the motor back. There is still a formidable amount of work to do, and I have until the middle of April to get it all together.
Then it is off to the Great Lakes Division and Nelson Ledges Road Course in Ohio for my second driver's school. After completing the school requirements, we have four SCCA Southeast Division races scheduled. VIR in May, Lowes Motor Speedway in June, Road Atlanta in July and VIR's production car festival in October.
Going SCCA racing has required a more robust roll cage and a couple of additional safety modifications, but not a large deviation from the car's current design. It will remain in vintage form, so it will be less competitive in SCCA, but ready for '09.
We'll keep you posted as progress continues.
