MG SV set for British GT bid

The team took delivery of a rolling chassis from the MG factory on Monday, to which it will mate a five-litre Ford Mustang V8 engine and Tremac gearbox.
Although the team's SV will run with a large number of road-going parts, which will be in keeping with the heavily production-based GT Cup regulations, Kneeshaw hopes to upgrade the car to GT2 (formerly N-GT) specification for 2006. A move into the international arena in either the FIA GT Championship or Le Mans Endurance series for 2007 is also on the agenda for the ambitious operation.

Kneeshaw said: "It has taken six months of talking, but I didn't take no for an answer. I like MG cars and think the SV needs racing. "We've gone for the most cost-effective way by starting in the entry-level GT class. It's not cheap, but the figures are low compared to an FIA GT Championship challenge. There are a lot of things we don't really need to alter on the car for this.

"This has been a shortcut for MG to build a supercar. Instead of spending years trying to build a Porsche-beater they've got a good car by taking parts off the shelf. They've just chosen the best engine and the best gearbox. "I am pretty confident in the SV. It is a well-proven engine that can reliably push up to 700bhp. The running gear is bulletproof."

Although the project is not a direct works effort, the factory will still keep a keen interest in the car, and has already given patronage to the project by providing the car at minimal cost.

Kneeshaw said: "We're bringing the cash and putting the hours in, but we're working with the MG engineers. They're providing pleasant, almost wishful support. We've had everything we've asked for. "This is very much their baby and they are desperate to see it happen. We only paid a nominal fee for the car - it was practically given away."

"They're very keen to race, but they aren't allowed to advertise through motorsport. It's just the climate they are in at this moment in time. It's been decided that motor racing doesn't sell cars anymore."

Potential drivers for the car are Formula Jedi racer Miles Hulford and 34-year-old Sarah Franklin, who made her national racing debut in Ginettas last month.
Another candidate is Indian Phiroze Bilimoria, who made his British GT debut in a Tech 9 Porsche at this season's British GT season-finale held at Brands Hatch.

"It's the uniqueness of this car that is attractive," said Bilimoria. "On paper it's very good and it has got a good chance of doing well in the series. I would like to be involved all the way to Le Mans for the 24 Hours."

Kneeshaw would not rule out running two cars, depending on driver budgets. He hopes that the car will be on display at Autosport International in January 2005.