An opportunity to play it again Maestro....  Words and images from Ken Davies

During the 1970s and ‘80s, one-make racing series were a popular part of motor manufacturers’ marketing strategy, successfully used to promote chosen models. Among these were Ford Escort Mexico, Renault 5, Honda CRX, Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, and even Porsche 924 and BWW M1 supercar championships. These became popular among competitors and spectators alike, but perhaps one of the most innovative and unique was Austin Rover’s MG Maestro Challenge, run in tandem with Austin Rover Group’s successful MG Metro racing series.

Introduced for 1986, the Mobil 1-supported MG Maestro Challenge was ingeniously conceived to discover the most versatile driver over a calendar of races, rallies, hill climbs, sprints and an autotest, between March and October. Run under a robust set of strictly enforced regulations controlling modifications to the cars, the series flourished, with a strong esprit de corps between competitors, many of whom were successful in any one of the motor sport disciplines.

When the series was first announced, many seasoned clubmen doubted the competition potential of the outwardly respectable £8,698 MG Maestro. But doubts were soon dispelled when the car was fitted with Austin Rover’s Group N competition handling and safety kit, which transformed the rather softly sprung showroom two-litre EFi saloon into a well-balanced and quick saloon car. Engine power peaked at 115bhp, taking the Maestro 0-60 in 8.5 seconds – a second quicker than VW’s Golf GTi – with a top speed of 115mph and all reliably delivered by a five-door five-seat ‘hot hatch’. In fact, many privateer competition Maestros could also be found on the humdrum school or supermarket run!

Several cars were sponsored by garages in ARG’s UK network, and the manufacturer actively encouraged this dealer involvement by investing in a great deal of media promotion and even lavish hospitality at some of the higher profile rounds of the championship. To enhance the series profile even more, Austin Rover fielded two celebrity cars, prepared by Roger Dowson Engineering at Silverstone, who’d been responsible for the MG Maestro’s competition development. Well-known drivers, journalists or personalities were invited by ARG to drive at the various events and the distinguished alumni included Damon Hill, Gary Brabham, Tony Pond, Jeff Allam, Malcolm Wilson and Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams.

For five seasons, 1986-89, the Mobil 1 MG Maestro Challenge successfully carved a niche for itself in British motorsport and assembled a close-knit community of drivers and teams who competed against each other on a variety of events throughout a busy season, and all accomplished in a great spirit of camaraderie. Former Austin Rover apprentice and author Pablo Raybold thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Challenge, and needed little persuasion to compile a comprehensive biography covering five seasons, including every event, driver and car. Even the respected fleet-user magazine of the era, Company Car, ran a well-prepared Maestro in the series, shared between group MD Paul Michael and Editor John Blauth, with both proving competitive drivers.

In addition to the imminent launch of the much-awaited book, this year marks 30-years since the last event of the MG Maestro Challenge. During that 30-year vacuum, many of the competitors, organisers and team members would have lost contact with each other and, sadly, we’ve lost a few over the years. But Pablo has recognised an opportunity to assemble as many former competitors as possible to celebrate a truly remarkable and iconic series that allowed clubmen to compete in an affordable, multi-discipline calendar of events, some even with international status.

The MG Maestro Challenge grand reunion dinner will take place on Saturday 24 October at the Honiley Court Hotel near Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1NP. The evening will comprise a three-course dinner, live music entertainment and a motorsport speaker. Help us celebrate a unique motorsport championship!

For more information on the MG Maestro Challenge biography or reunion dinner contact Pablo Raybould at pabloraybould@blueyonder.co.uk or 07768 377706.