Elite or MGB which is more fun to race?

[simon drabble]

There has been a lot of debate as to which is faster with the conclusion being that a "hot" (I use that word in its most liberal sense!) MGB being quicker and a legal one being less clear (espicially on tighter circuits) but which is more fun to race?

[terence]

I would say the Elite on the grounds that they are more involving to drive quickly.Fantastic little engine that makes all the right noises,skinny little 4" wheels with Dunlops,gotta be fun!

[Alan Morgan]

There aren't many people qualified to comment. Speaking as someone who has raced an Elite, but not an MGB, the Elite is, as Terence says, wonderful to drive. They give so much feedback, that they're almost impossible to spin. The engine is free-revving, and sounds great.

It's also one of the best-looking cars ever built.

It would be nice to have a run in an MGB, though - the extra grunt might prove alluring!...

[Torston]

We should really be comparing the MGA & Elite, as the MGB is a generation later and not of the same era.
However, have a look at:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=yNxyuypmOKo
for an example of both cars racing at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.
Interesting comparison between the uphill & downhill performances.

[rogerwills]

Great video Torston.

The B doesn't seem to go like the ones do in Europe where 2 litre ++ is the norm.

[delta]

Great vidio Torston thanks. The circuit looks like a lot of fun.From the sound of the engine you are running a very tall diff. ?

[simon drabble]

sadly I dont know how to get the sound working but it looked like you were flying when you eventually got passed the B... great video

[zefarelly]

Elite or MGB which is more fun to race?

A Ford Anglia is the correct answer

arguably a better quality car as well.

and it complies with a modern day bankers budget

[Torston]

You are quite correct. That was a "quiet" MGB that gets driven to and from the circuits. The quick ones were all long gone.

I was running a 4.55 diff on Hooziers, which gave about 130 mph on the rev limiter through the right hander in the down hill straight.

The Elite problem is the climb UP the mountain which is almost 600 ft from the start line. As the smallest car in the field, it is very frustrating.

[compte deGraves]

It looks like your Elite is full fitted inside for road use. The Delta Elite is in full race spec with everything light-weight (apart from the driver when I drive it). It is, however, ridiculous to compare 1216 cc with 1800 cc. The Elite comes from a racing stable and is designed with racing in mind. That cannot really be said for the MGBs. If both were raced in period specification there is no doubt which would be quicker round the corners.

[terence]

After watching that,two things that have not been mentioned are that the Elite is benefiting from its shape, a B is not exactly aerodynamic,especialy so without a hardtop,some of the advantage seemed to come from the Elite drivers ability as well.The B in front after he had gone around the outside of the Sebring Sprite etc certainly had a lot more grunt available.

[John Turner]

From a layman's point of view, it is a tad strange to compare specifically these two. What about Turners, G4s, Couriers, Granturas etc, and even, as a previous poster has mentioned, the MGA. The Elite was a limited production bespoke small engined roadracer starting in the late 50s and the 'B', a volume production road sportscar from the 60's. The cars I've mentioned in the previous sentence, to a certain extent, filled the gaps in between. Just wondering whether it would be worth broadening the discussion.

[simon drabble]

out racing and tour auto'ing they seem to be the two most popular choice in the realistic catergory. Clearly the B's are more plentiful but there are more Elites than Ginetta's or Turners out racing however perhaps we should change the thread to whats the most fun small engine "club" racer sportscar...

[John Turner]

Take your point, Simon, but thought it might be worth expanding the subject now.

[terence]

Originally Posted by John Turner

From a layman's point of view, it is a tad strange to compare specifically these two. What about Turners, G4s, Couriers, Granturas etc, and even, as a previous poster has mentioned, the MGA. The Elite was a limited production bespoke small engined roadracer starting in the late 50s and the 'B', a volume production road sportscar from the 60's. The cars I've mentioned in the previous sentence, to a certain extent, filled the gaps in between. Just wondering whether it would be worth broadening the discussion.

Quite right John,but in the context that Simon is reffering to,I understand Simon to be wandering if he should be using the Elite or changing to a B.
Most MGAs would be a fair comparison but see-ing as most are not that quick
[FIA cars that is] there is not much room for any back to back comparison.
G4,I dont think an Elite would stand a chance,same as a Grantura with B mechanicals fitted.One rare version,advertised elsewhere,is,apparently one of the factory lightweight cars,originally fitted with the Climax would be a really good comparison though,unfortunatly,the original is missing and has a B unit installed.

[zefarelly]

G4's are for vertically challenged drivers

what was a Spridget homologated with ?

given the pace of A35's surely one would trump both a B and an elite in every respect

[terence]

They didn't at Spa.But saying that,the quickest at Mallory yesterday was knocking out 58s quite comfortably,something I would have thought might not be possible "in period".I know that would have left then trailing behind.

[Peter Mallett]

1340cc A35's or 998cc?

Spridget was 998/1098/1275 but the last incarnation was 1967(?) on, so 1098 is the one you'd look at here.

[Torston]

You are right "compte deGraves", a very observant comment.

My Elite is also fully trimmed, road equiped, registered and mildly tuned with twin SUs and a reasonable cam. And sadly the driver is currently running at about 100 Kg!

[zefarelly]

don't be shy Peter, I think 1460 is closer to the truth !

I asked re spridgets and Mrs Zef has a 67 midget @ 1275cc but pre66 it must have been homologated, presumably with 1098 ? ala MK2 MG midget ? although the 1275 existed in minis then if not now!

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

1340cc A35's or 998cc?

Spridget was 998/1098/1275 but the last incarnation was 1967(?) on, so 1098 is the one you'd look at here.

[Peter Mallett]

That was my point. The 1275 was '67. Unless someone has the Homologation cert and can check, but I remember standing outside a Garage in Upper Richmond road when I was about 11/12 years old looking at one in the showroom. It was that sunburst red colour with the black cills.

[morninggents]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

don't be shy Peter, I think 1460 is closer to the truth !

I asked re spridgets and Mrs Zef has a 67 midget @ 1275cc but pre66 it must have been homologated, presumably with 1098 ? ala MK2 MG midget ? although the 1275 existed in minis then if not now!

Original frogeye sprite was introduced with 948 cc engine then went to 998cc, IIRC. The later sprite/midget had 998cc then 1098cc; not sure that 1275cc was pre-66.
However, the 1098 with 1.2mm overbore comes nicely within the 1150cc class limit at around 1137cc.

[MGDavid]

agree the 1275 was in production in '65 but transverse in the Cooper S. ISTR Abingdon put a 1275 into a works Spridget the same year but it was entered as a Prototype at Sebring or similar??

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by morninggents

Original frogeye sprite was introduced with 948 cc engine then went to 998cc, IIRC. The later sprite/midget had 998cc then 1098cc; not sure that 1275cc was pre-66.
However, the 1098 with 1.2mm overbore comes nicely within the 1150cc class limit at around 1137cc.

Apologies, quite right it started as a 948cc.

[Farbrooke]

Papers no 569 Group3 MG midget Mk III 1275 01/07/1967 GB 0 amendments

Correct after 1966