WHAT'S NEW?
with MG in 2002

New high performance MG - October 22, 2002
MG today revealed its new high performance sports car named the MG XPower SV. Following development of the original X80 concept, the MG has been radically evolved, is lighter and has increased levels of power with up to 965bhp. So extreme is the performance that all models will be marketed under the MG Sport & Racing XPower brand.

MG-Lola in hillclimb event at Shelsley Walsh, UK - August 18, 2002
58 photos -- MG-EX257 at hillclimb. Includes a few pictures of X-Power rally car, MG-RV8, and one MGB (spanning 35 years from Le Mans).

Shelsley Walsh is a hillclimb. It's a short ribbon of tarmac that threads up a side of the Teme valley, in Worcestershire. It is a beautiful spot, and to go there and to be able to watch some motorsport is always a great pleasure. It's also just about as far removed from the rigours of Les 24 Heures du Mans as it's possible to be. Except when it comes down to speed, I suppose. All over the world, they're all trying to go as fast as they can!

Shelsley always has a relaxed atmosphere in the paddock. There are never any restrictions to access, and so to have been able to stand right next to, or lean right over on, and look and take pictures was fantastic. The car also makes a hell of a noise!

Michael Watkins - Sutton Coldfield UK

Now Fourth team to buy MG Lolas for ALMS - June 27, 2002
The Dyson Racing team has agreed terms with Lola Cars International of Huntingdon, England, to purchase a customer version of the MG-Lola EX-257 Le Mans prototype, expects to take delivery of the car in early August.

Good news for KnightHawk MG Lola - June 26, 2002
Haven't been able to verify this just yet, but, ..... This message was (supposedly) posted on www.xpower-mg.com/forum

"Here's the latest on our car's condition. We took it to Lola's factory in Huntingdon, England on Monday. Four members of our crew showed up Tuesday and we spent the day disassembling and cleaning the mess. At first, we thought that we had extensive damage to the entire rear section, including the tub. Upon cleaning, we found out that the suspected tub damage was only cosmetic and very light. Many of the other parts were in fine condition. Overall, the damage was much less than expected, so the cost wasn't in the $300,000-$400,000 range as we originally projected. (Our on-track insurance does not cover fire, only crashes, because the insurance companies are wise to the "last race of the season total write off fire claims" that were so popular some years ago.) We'll take next week to completely bring the car back to new condition and ship it to Road America. We will do Mid Ohio with our old Lola B2K/40."

"Cause of the fire was a broken exhaust pipe right where it goes into the turbo. It spewed hot exhaust onto the carbon fibre and burnt through a oil return line, which fed the fire. Why did the exhaust pipe break? We are investigating that at this time."

1.5 Millionth MG Produced - April 17, 2002
From our friends at www.pistonheads.com:   MG Rover has now built over 1.5 million vehicles since production began in 1924. The 1.5 millionth car is a new TF 160. In celebration of Queenie’s Golden Jubilee, it is painted in ‘Jubilee’ Gold and finished with special Jubilee badging. More information.

MG Rover Group to supply CART 3.5 liter Racing Engines
- April 13, 2002 - The announcement will bring the famous MG brand and its winning motor racing heritage to American open-wheel Champ Car racing for the first time in the marque's rich history. More information.

American MG Lola to appear at Le Mans
March 23, 2002 - KnightHawk Racing has been extended an invitation by the Automobile Club de l’ Ouest to compete in the most famous sportscar event in the world ­ the 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. Also check out the graphics.

First International victory for MG Lola at Sebring - March 18, 2002
The MG Lola EX257 scored its first international victory at arguably the toughest race in the American Le Mans Series when Jon Field, Duncan Dayton and Michael Durand won the 675 LMP Class in the Sebring 12 hours in Florida at the weekend. More information.

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KnightHawk Racing Acquires First
Privateer MG Lola 675 LMP
and it is already resident in America.
February 8, 2002

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January 21, 2002 From our friends at MG The Classic Mark GWYNDAF RETIRES FROM MONTE CARLO RALLY The debut of the MG ZR EX258 rally car driven by Gwyndaf Evans and Chris Patterson came to an end on stage three of the Monte Carlo Rally when the car left the road and was unable to continue.

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January 11, 2002 From our friends at MG The Classic Mark MG RETURNS TO RALLY WITH GWYNDAF EVANS The MG ZR Super 1600 (EX258) will make its rally debut at the opening round of the 2002 FIA Junior World Rally Championship at Monte Carlo this month with Gwyndaf Evans behind the wheel.

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300 HP Cosworth MGB ??? Not for the timid, but you could own one too!

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January 8, 2002 From our friends at pistonheads.com The new MGTF will debut at the Brussels Motor Show on 15th January 2002.

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