MG launches three-pronged motorsport attack

The MG-powered Lola sports car, which is entered in the LMP675 class of Le Mans, will be run by Chamberlain Motorsport. It will field an all-British driver line-up, including reigning FIA GT champion Julian Bailey, Anthony Reid, Warren Hughes, F3000 ace Kevin McGarrity and Indy Lights star Jonny Kane.

"It makes me very proud to be associated with MG," said Reid. "It's a fantastic opportunity for me to race with Britain's largest car manufacturer. This year's Le Mans should be fantastic. I can imagine 50,000-or-so British fans on the beer, cheering on MG and Bentley, which will add an extra patriotic element."

His new colleague Kane, who has never raced a sports car before, said: "It has always been one of my ambitions to race at Le Mans and to make my first appearance at such a historic event representing MG is fantastic. There will be a lot to learn including racing at night, but I love new challenges."

Rover-owned MG will also enter a pair of its new X20 saloons in the BTCC. As exclusively revealed on Autosport.com, former Honda works outfit West Surrey Racing will run the cars, which will be built by Lola. BTCC runner-up Reid drives one car, while former German STW Cup racer Hughes, a former MGF Cup winner, will pilot the other. The cars aren't expected to be in the series from the start, due to the X20 road car's launch date, but will probably join in around August.

"This means I get another shot at the title, having finished second twice now," added Reid. "It's a long-term commitment from MG to the series. Given any choice of programme, this is the one I would always have gone for."

MG will also enter a new rally machine for the newly-created F3 Super 1600 category, codenamed X30. It will be run by GMD Motorsport, under the direction of Gordon Spooner, and will run a single car in selected rounds of the World and British Championships for Welsh rally star Gwyndaf Evans.

"The MG brand has a great pedigree of success in motorsport," said product development director Rob Oldaker. "Our return to Tarmac and gravel forms an integral part of our plans to re-energise the MG name. The work-to-date has demonstrated the excellent capabilities of our MG Rover chassis for motorsport application."

MG will also continue to run its successful MGF series in Britain.