Lola celebrates MG link with historic cavalcade.

Just days before the all-new MG Lola sportscar launched its attack on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, members of the MG Owners Club joined Lola to participate in a procession of historic MGs through the streets of Lola's home town Huntingdon.

The cavalcade took place to celebrate Lola's significant partnership with MG, returning the famous MG marque to Le Mans after a 36-year absence. Utilising their existing knowledge in the design of winning SR1 and SR2 chassis, Lola's dedicated team of sportscar specialists designed and manufactured the all-new MG Lola EX257 to compete in the world-famous endurance race.

Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges were the last drivers to race an MG at Le Mans in 1965 and, to honour Lola's celebration, Hopkirk led the nostalgic parade of classic MGs driving an MGB with his co-driver Nick Jordan, sales manager of Lola Cars International.

"It was an honour for me to lead the parade with Nick, and a great way to mark MG's return to the International motor racing arena," Hopkirk said, "Who would have thought that, after our MG success at Le Mans in '65, the marque would be returning for a possible outright win in the next century. I am delighted to have been asked to lead this cavalcade after 36 years - the last time I was behind the wheel of an MG in earnest."

"The MG Owners' Club are delighted that MG is making an historic return to Le Mans," Richard Monk, general manager of MG Owners' Club, commented, "We are also proud to report that nearly 700 MGs and their owners would be making the trip to Le Mans to support this exciting all-British venture.

"The MG marque has always been synonymous with competition success and record breaking achievements, and we wish the two MG Lola EX257 cars and their team of drivers good luck in their endeavours to bring MG back to the forefront of motorsport."

"The MG cavalcade was a wonderful way to celebrate Lola's partnership with MG, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the MG Lola EX257 in action at Le Mans this weekend," said David Bowes, managing director of Lola Cars International.

Driving the MG Lola EX257 at Le Mans this weekend is Mark Blundell, Julian Bailey, Kevin McGarrity in car #33 and Anthony Reid, Warren Hughes, Jonny Kane in car #34.