A surprise phone call from TVR Engineering on Thursday evening – after searching MG contacts over Europe – offered Britcar and MG Trophy rising star Fiona Leggate a free works drive in the last ever rounds of the TVR Tuscan Challenge at Brands Hatch last weekend. John Reid of TVR explains; “We were looking for a quick lady driver for the guest car, and our contacts suggested Fiona. We weren’t sure how to get hold of her, and tried MG contacts in Italy and Belgium before finally locating her”.
Undaunted by the huge difference in power from her usual MG ZR mounts, the Lincolnshire lass struggled with a wrong choice of tyres in the 15-minute free practice session and was last of the 16 runners, posting a time of 52.066.
Of course, Fiona has driven a rear-wheel drive car before, having shared the BMW-derived Supermini in the Belcar 24-hour race at Zolder, with Alexandra Van de Velde, Sylvie Delecour, and Vanina Ickx, but nothing with the brute force of the TVR.
In the Saturday afternoon qualifying session, with new rubber, and more confidence, Fiona improved her time to 50.066, achieving 12th position on the grid, just behind former TVR chairman Peter Wheeler “The new tyres made an unbelievable difference, which I didn’t expect” said Fiona, “The car just stuck to the road.”
Team boss Reid was pleased, too. “We’re over the moon with her performance", he said. "She has progressively improved from practice through qualifying, and should move up a bit further in the races.”
Raceday brought intermittent rain, and the track was damp as the 14 Challenge cars lined up on the grid. Fiona made a cautious start, and dropped to the back as the field powered up the hill towards Druids. She never lost touch, though, and engaged in a battle with Peter Wheeler and Andy Holden. Half-way through the ten lapper, an attempt to pass Holden at Graham Hill Bend resulted in a spin, but she continued, and finished last of the 13 remaining runners.
“I got a bit keen, put the power down heavily, and lost the back.” She explained, “Some of those cars were slow, and I knew I could pass them, but wasn’t sure where.”
Track conditions were similar for the second race – a 16 lapper this time, and again Fiona brought up the rear, and once more, a three-car battle ensued, this time with Robert Stanton and Rod Barrett. Fiona actually got the nose of her car alongside Barrett, at Graham Hill Bend again, and his last lap spin saw Fiona snatch 11th place at the flag.
On the face of it, an inauspicious debut, but one that impressed those in the know, particularly old hand Wheeler; “She did very well, driving sensibly, and in the proper fashion. You don’t have to slide around like those heroes at the front”
And Fiona’s verdict – disappointed, but a valuable experience; “Everybody’s been so helpful and friendly – it’s been really, really good”.
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