World’s first MG centennial celebration kicks off this weekend

The MG Car Club Auckland is hosting one of the world’s first MG Motor centennial celebrations, with the New Zealand National Rally getting underway this weekend.

Entrants from all over the country are participating, as are representatives from Australia, the USA, Canada, England, and Scotland.

2024 is recognised as the hundredth year of the famous MG marque and the Auckland chapter is taking to the roads around the North Island with a festive display of vehicles, the oldest model being a 1931 M-Type, which was produced from 1929-32.

Other notable vehicles to take part is the first MG owned by motorsport legend and New Zealand’s only Formula One World Champion, Denny Hulme, through to the dynamic new, award-winning MG4 Essence and XPower.

“The rally is for passionate enthusiasts to get together and celebrate a century of MG cars and, rather fittingly, we’re anticipating almost 100 vehicles to take part,” said MG Car Club Auckland President, Andrew Walbran.

The eight-day long drive features overnight stops in Auckland, Taupo and Napier. In addition to touring stages, there is a track day at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo and a number of the National Rally events are open to the public.

“The first of these is the MG exhibition gala opening day on Sunday, January 14 taking place at The Cloud on the Auckland waterfront from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm, as well as a similar viewing opportunity in Napier on Friday, January 19,” said Dr Walbran.

MG New Zealand is assisting organisers with various elements of the event, including providing a fleet of three MG4 for use as support vehicles.

“The MG4 is the latest new vehicle from MG, so it will make for a great ‘moment in time’ having the new models on display alongside some historic greats from the marque’s history,” said MG New Zealand Country Manager, Arek Zywot.

“The centennial is an opportunity to celebrate our past, but also a chance to look towards the future. The new MG4 is representative of this, as it offers emissions-free motoring, great range, an attainable price tag, yet is loaded with safety, technology and comes with the peace of mind of a five-star safety rating.

“MG New Zealand would like to applaud the passion and enthusiasm shared by all rally participants and wish them a safe, successful and fun-filled celebration of our great brand.”