XPower Forums: The Community That Carried the MG Spirit Further Than the Factory Gates
During the turbulent, exhilarating years when MG Rover was still building cars in the UK, one online community stood out as the beating heart of the brand’s enthusiast base: XPower Forums (XPF). More than just a message board, XPF became the unofficial home of MG performance culture — a place where owners, engineers, tuners, and fans gathered to celebrate the ZT, ZR, ZS, MGF, TF, and even the rare and outrageous MG SV.
At a time when the company itself was fighting for survival, XPF achieved something remarkable: it kept the MG spirit alive, connected, and evolving.
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A Hub for Every MG Performance Model
XPF didn’t just cover the MG range — it defined how enthusiasts talked about it.
- MG ZT & ZT-T – Deep technical knowledge, KV6 belt guides, diesel tuning, and long‑term ownership support.
- MG ZS – The spiritual home of ZS track‑day culture, suspension setups, and BTCC‑inspired tuning.
- MG ZR – A welcoming space for younger owners and first‑time modifiers.
- MGF & TF – Hydragas expertise, social meets, and some of the best troubleshooting guides anywhere online.
- MG SV – One of the few places where owners and fans of the ultra‑rare V8 supercar could share real‑world experiences.
XPF became the living archive of MG performance knowledge — much of which would have been lost forever when the factory closed.
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Technical Expertise That Rivalled the Workshops
One of XPF’s biggest achievements was the sheer depth of technical content produced by its members. The forum became known for:
- DIY guides better than official manuals
- KV6, K‑Series, and T‑Series engine expertise
- Hydragas suspension diagnostics
- Bodywork and corrosion repair walkthroughs
- Performance tuning and remapping knowledge
- Rare parts sourcing and compatibility lists
Many MG owners kept their cars on the road because of XPF. Even professional mechanics consulted the forum.
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Kernahans of Witney: The Garage That Powered the XPF Tuning Scene
A defining part of XPF’s success came from its partnership with Kernahans of Witney, one of the most respected MG Rover dealers and tuning specialists of the era.
Through Kernahans:
- Members gained access to a huge quantity of genuine tuning parts, including the iconic XPower Exhaust.
- XPF became a trusted channel for sourcing performance upgrades.
- Members received exclusive discount pricing, making high‑quality parts accessible to enthusiasts across the UK and beyond.
- The garage provided technical advice, fitting guidance, and insider knowledge that strengthened the forum’s reputation.
- Plus Martin, also provided the opportunity to purchase cars at discount.
Kernahans didn’t just sell parts — they empowered a community.
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Leda Suspension: Backing the Track‑Day Revolution
Another key supporter was Beverley of Leda Suspension, whose involvement gave XPF’s track‑day culture real credibility.
Leda backed:
- Early XPF track days
- Technical demonstrations
- Suspension setup advice
- Key events that helped grow the MG performance scene
Their support helped transform XPF from an online forum into a real‑world performance network.
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Motorsport: Where XPF Became Part of the Story
XPF didn’t just watch motorsport — it participated.
Sponsoring West Surrey Racing (WSR) and Kartworld BTCC Teams
XPF achieved something almost unheard of for an online community:
it became a real‑world sponsor of professional motorsport teams.
- West Surrey Racing BTCC MG ZS – XPF provided financial support, visibility, and fan engagement.
- Kartworld BTCC MG ZS – The forum backed the team during one of the most competitive eras of touring car racing.
Raffling an MG TF to Support BTCC
One of the forum’s proudest achievements was raffling an MG TF to raise funds for the BTCC programme.
One member even attended every single BTCC round, representing the forum trackside and strengthening the bond between the community and the teams.
The Ring Leader: David Harrison
Much of XPF’s BTCC presence was driven by David Harrison, remembered fondly as the ring leader who organised the BTCC gatherings and brought members together trackside.
His enthusiasm helped cement XPF’s identity as a motorsport‑driven community.
Track Days Before MG’s on Track
XPF was instrumental in organising some of the earliest MG‑focused track days, before MG’s on Track existed.
- Castle Combe – The first major XPF track gathering.
- Goodwood – A landmark event that proved MG owners wanted more than static meets — they wanted to drive.
These events laid the groundwork for what later became MG’s on Track, the official MG track‑day organisation.
Supporting the V8 MG ZT and the Dreadnought Racer
XPF had a huge following for the V8‑powered MG ZT, celebrating its engineering, sound, and rarity.
The forum also championed the legendary Dreadnought MG ZT racer, a car that embodied the wild, uncompromising spirit of MG performance.
Rallying and Le Mans
XPF members followed and supported MG entries in rallying, sharing updates and technical insights.
The forum also had representation at Le Mans, where MG’s endurance heritage was celebrated by members who travelled to France to fly the flag for the marque.
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A Social Community That Became a Family
XPF wasn’t just technical — it was social.
- National meets
- Regional gatherings
- Track days
- Rolling road sessions
- Charity events
- Club stands at MG Live and other shows
- Factory Visits
Members formed friendships, relationships, and lifelong connections.
Kelvin Fagan: The Picture Library
A special thanks goes to Kelvin Fagan, whose vast picture library documented the cars, the events, the people, and the spirit of XPF.
His photography became part of the forum’s identity and preserved memories that would otherwise have been lost.
David Simms: The Motorsport T‑Shirts
XPF also owes thanks to David Simms, whose motorsport‑themed T‑shirt designs became iconic within the community.
His artwork gave XPF a visual identity — something members proudly wore at BTCC rounds, track days, Le Mans trips, and national meets.
The shirts weren’t just clothing; they were a badge of belonging.
Remembering Andrew Digwood
XPF also remembers Andrew Digwood, a valued member of the community who sadly passed away.
His enthusiasm, humour, and presence left a lasting mark on the forum and the people within it.
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Supporting MG Rover During Its Hardest Years
During the uncertain years leading up to MG Rover’s collapse, XPF played a quiet but important role:
- Boosting morale among owners and employees
- Promoting the brand when mainstream media wouldn’t
- Sharing accurate news instead of rumours
- Keeping enthusiasm alive when the company struggled
When the factory finally closed, XPF became a refuge — a place where owners could grieve the loss of a British manufacturer while celebrating what MG had achieved.
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Preserving the Legacy After the Factory Fell Silent
After 2005, XPF’s role became even more important.
The forum:
- Helped owners maintain cars with no factory support
- Preserved technical knowledge that would otherwise disappear
- Kept the MG performance culture alive
- Supported new owners discovering the cars for the first time
- Ensured the Z‑cars and MGFs didn’t fade into obscurity
Today, many MGs still survive because XPF existed.
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A Legacy That Still Matters
XPower Forums wasn’t just a website.
It was a community, a support network, a technical library, a motorsport sponsor, and a social club.
It kept MG performance culture alive during its golden years — and protected it during its darkest.
Finally, not mentioned above and in no particular order the following were extremely important members of XPF: Kev Neal, Paul Flint, Keith Swadling, David Hird, Findlay Colquhoun, Carl and Laura Davidson, Carl Fairhurst, Tony and Dawn Palmer, John Doubtfire, the UK David Harrison, Nick & Nat Young, Graham Robbins, Mat Carlisle, Neal and Pam Duggan, Rob Jones, John Egan, Dave Leader, Blueduck, Steve Ward and Max Flint, plus many others who forgive me I haven’t mentioned.
