Abingdon Works Motorsport Celebration

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Abingdon Works Motorsport Celebration

Celebrating the achievements of the BMC Abingdon Competitions Department.

31/10/2026

WOMEN IN RALLYING AND RACING

This weekend, we look back at two cars which joined us for our 70th birthday celebrations and two books by Pablo Raybould tracing the careers of Christabel Carlisle (now Lady Watson) and Margaret MacKenzie.

Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom drove this Austin A40 Farina in the 1959 Monte Carlo Rally, finishing 10th overall and winning the ladies prize. In a glittering career, Pat and Ann were to go on to win the 1962 Tulip Rally.

The 1965 Mk1 1275 Cooper S was Abingdon prepared and rallied in national and international events in the late 60’s and early 70’s by Jacqueline Purchase and Dorothy Selby-Boothroyd competing in the 1968 Tulip Rally amongst others.

After some early races in her own Mini, Christabel took up racing full-time in 1961 entering the British Empire Trophy Meeting at Silverstone followed by events at Snetterton, Brands Hatch and Oulton Park. 1962 saw her in the Monte Carlo Rally navigating for John Sprinzel in an MG Midget before going on to win the St. Mary’s Trophy at Goodwood in a Works Mini.

Margaret who, after starting her career in an Austin A30 in the 1958 Scottish Rally, switched to the newly-launched Mini 850cc competing in, amongst other events, the 1961 Coupe des Alpes.

10/10/2026

BMC & LEYLAND SHOW 2027

Autumn is here and outdoor car events for 2026 are winding down.

But, like others, we are planning for our display in 2027 which, as usual, will be at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon in Warwickshire on Sunday 11th July.

Tickets will be on sale in the new year through the museum's website and we hope to see you there.

03/10/2026

MONTE CARLO MINIS

We had a great display of cars that took part in the famous rally at our 70th anniversary display at the British Motor Museum last year.

Paddy Hopkirk won the 1964 event in 33 EJB, which is now housed in the museum, and we had 569 FMO from the same year. The following year, 1965, was represented by four cars CRX 88B, CRX 90B, CRX 99B and 8 EMO.

Minis won for the third year running in 1966, but were controversially disqualified on a specification technicality and we had two of them in GRX 5D, which was driven by Paddy Hopkirk, and GRX 55D, driven by Rauno Aaltonen.

LBL 666D was the representative from 1967 (the winner LBL 6D also being on view in the museum) and to complete the display, three from 1968, namely ORX 77F, ORX 707F and ORX 777F

27/09/2026

POWERFUL HEALEYS

We continue our look back to the 70th anniversary display at the British Motor Museum with this selection of cars to enjoy.

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19/09/2026

THE MG COLLECTION

We continue our look back to our 70th Anniversary display at the British Motor Museum in 2025 with a selection of MGAs.

Next year's display will be at the BMC & Leyland Show on Sunday 11th July.

12/09/2026

COMPETITORS REUNITED

Our 2025 display celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Competitions Department brought together cars that competed against each other on the racetrack.

Here are two 1960 MGA Twin Cams, registrations UMO 93 and UMO 96, that were entered in the Sebring 12 Hour of the same year.

Driven by Damon Hill, Tony Pond and Malcolm Wilson amongst others, the 1986 MG Maestro 2.0Efi, D129 OOE, was reunited with Maestro B810 AOX for the first time since they raced against each other at Silverstone in 1987.

05/09/2026

MORE MINIS FROM PAST SHOWS

A second batch of Minis from past displays at the BMC & Leyland Show which we hope to see again 2027.

29/08/2026

BMC & LEYLAND SHOW 2027

We know it's early days until our next display at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 11th July , but we like to plan ahead.

We will again be focussing on ex-Works and replica cars with a small number of contemporary privateer cars with a distinguished rally history. Here are a few Minis from past shows that we hope to have on display again.

22/08/2026

BMC & LEYLAND SHOW WRAP

A final collection of images from our display at this year’s show at the British Motor Museum.

Make a note of the date for 2027 - Sunday 11th July.

15/08/2026

THE BRITISH MOTOR MUSEUM COLLECTION

Since we were formed in 2019, we have been supported by the British Motor Museum to display a selection of cars at the annual BMC & Leyland Show in July.

In the museum's collection is this Austin 1800 Mk2 Landcrab, SMO 226G, that, amongst other events, competed in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, finishing second. Driven by Paddy Hopkirk, Tony Nash and Alec Poole, it was one of 56 cars that completed of which 22 were thought to have survived at the time of the 50th anniversary celebration hosted by the Historic Marathon Rally Group at Gaydon.

As a token of our appreciation for the museum's continuing support, we have renewed our sponsorship of the car for another year, so do take a look when you are next visiting.

Address

Winchcombe

Website

https://www.minicooper.org/

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