Gilbert the Gilbern - The Ongoing Story

[Peter Mallett]

As you all know Mary Bell is undertaking her ARDS test tomorrow and will be driving Gilbert, together with MGDavid and Iain. However I am very pleased to be invited to join in at a few events this year so I shall be known as the Mary Bell placeholder.

Iain, David and I took Gilbert to Mallory on Tuesday 20th April and gave him a shake down. We even tried a pit stop driver change which was slow due to my lack of flexibility! But not too slow so improvements will come.

David and Iain can tell you about their experience with the car but I was very impressed with its balance and although it suffers from the usual MGB soft brake pedal it stops well.

Throughout the season we will post updates because a few posters have expressed an interest and of course we keep Mike's legacy alive.

This was David in his first lap: https://youtu.be/IMh04IHpAv8

And of course here is the obligatory team picture:

[E.B]

Good luck to Mary tomorrow, and look forward to following this thread and Gilbert's exploits with interest.

[Lancsbreaker]

Indeed, good luck to Mary, although I'm sure she will pass fine


Look forward to following Gilbert's progress, too.............

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Indeed, good luck to Mary, although I'm sure she will pass fine


Look forward to following Gilbert's progress, too.............

Perhaps the lads should look out! Here comes Mary.

[Mary Bell]

Thankyou. I'm now nervous but was very excited about it yesterday. Motorsport uk have just emailed me the correct video to watch as I received one for rallying!! Having followed Mike's career in that and looking at the pictures of his wrecked 205's (not all the time and fortunately he always emerged unscathed and immaculate)) I will give that a miss.
Here goes guys

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Mary Bell

Thankyou. I'm now nervous but was very excited about it yesterday. Motorsport uk have just emailed me the correct video to watch as I received one for rallying!! Having followed Mike's career in that and looking at the pictures of his wrecked 205's (not all the time and fortunately he always emerged unscathed and immaculate)) I will give that a miss.
Here goes guys

You will love it. Enjoy the day and say hi to Tiff who is doing track rides today.

[Mary Bell]

What the Tiff

Sent from my SM-A202F using Tapatalk

[Peter Mallett]

Tiff Needell.

[Mary Bell]

i'll try but will be a bit star struck

[Peter Mallett]

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Mary Bell

What the Tiff

Sent from my SM-A202F using Tapatalk

Probably Tiffany Dell.

[Aysedasi]

I was so surprised when I first saw Tiffany Dell on the TV. I thought it was a blooming rum name for a bloke......

[MGDavid]

Mary passed with flying colours - no stopping her now :-)

[E.B]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Mary passed with flying colours - no stopping her now :-)

Well done Mary.

[Peter Mallett]

Excellent news. Well done Mary.

[Mike Harte]

Good for you, Mary.

[gary396]

Well done Mary, great news

[bauble]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Mary passed with flying colours - no stopping her now :-)

Oh! Dear.

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Mary passed with flying colours - no stopping her now :-)

Congratulations to Mary and good luck to all involved in the owning & running of Gilbert.

[justracing]

Unlike many on here I didn't know Mike that well but I did chat with him a couple of times at Brands Hatch, once when he was codriving the SLR and at the Escort anniversary race with his Lairy Canary. I just wanted to say how uplifting it is to hear of this wonderful gesture in keeping the memory alive with Gilbert, well done to all involved and most of all good luck Mary and congratulations with the ARDS test.

[356sc]

Fabulous, well done Mary!

[GORDON STREETER]

Congratulations Mary, I raced with mike over several years at most of the circuits and would always have a good chat about "how good things were back then" I still can't believe that he isn't around anymore !
Enjoy your racing and don't be intimidated by those horrible male drivers

[Gerard C]

After the well deserved congratulations, how is it to drive? Compared to an MG B for instance. Is it entered in the 6 Hours?

[MGDavid]

Mary hasn't been let loose in Gilbert just yet! but we were testing last Tuesday at Mallory Park. Engine felt strong, handling well balanced, firmly suspended, brakes could be improved (and will be). Yes the 6 hrs entry is in and accepted.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

After the well deserved congratulations, how is it to drive? Compared to an MG B for instance. Is it entered in the 6 Hours?

It is as chuckable as an MGB and the brakes are very similar. The gear lever (stick shift) is quite far back so doesn't fall to hand like in a B. The cabin is smaller than a B and there is nowhere to rest your clutch foot other than under the pedal. It feels lighter than a B. Delta has also driven a B so may have a different view. The gearing is the same as my MGB but it seems to pull better out of slow corners. Where I would use first at the hairpin we were using second. Again suggesting it is lighter than a B.

Altogether a good experience and Mary will enjoy driving it.

Also looking forward to the 6hrs.