Since its inception in 1990, the MG Racing Group has awarded annually the Bent Con-road Award, although occasionally and somewhat enigmatically known as the Burnt Con-rod Award. Either way, since Andy McDowell's spectacular engine blow up at the top of the Bitupave Hill at Amaroo Park in NSW in his much loved red V8 roadster, annually the most spectacular mechanical mishap has been recognized with this award.

Dave Vernal and Mike Wood both have the dubious honor of having won this award twice - Mike two years in a row with successive engine demolitions - in 2000 on the back straight at Sandown (and knew it was terminal when he picked up pieces of the camshaft off the track) and in 2001 qualifying at Winton for the 6 hour when the car filled with smoke and the engine ate 2 pistons.

Past winners of the Bent Con-rod Award: