Back in high school and college I used to compete, as a "guest", with the local SCCA club autocrosses against 2 of their members in E stock. I had a 79 Fiat X 1/9, and the other 2 guys had a Mk 1 spitfire and an MGA.
The timer would frequently fail when the other 2 guys had their runs. It NEVER failed when I took my laps.
I was probably 50-50 in beating the Spitfire, but I never could beat the MGA. I think he was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Club.