Race Report:

Morgan Challenge race at Snetterton

We were delighted to welcome Andrew Potter in his ex Charles Steward car and Tony Rivers in his brand new lightweight. Both are planning full seasons in 2007. Tony had not even seen his new car before we delivered it to Snetterton; his first drive was from the paddock to the collecting area, prior to practice! A fourth in class behind Russell Paterson, Andrew Thompson and Simon Orebi Gann was excellent with a full windscreen. Andrew who had only raced for the first time the previous day also did well off the back of the grid. Heavy rain had threatened and duly arrived about an hour before the race, and left the track practically flooded. After a delay the Morgans lined up on a very wet track, Tony now running with the aero screen. It was an exciting race in terrible conditions; at the flag it was Russell Paterson who won the class with Tony an outstanding 2nd in class from Simon Orebi Gann. All the other Roadsters got home unscathed, Andrew Potter gaining another signature for his licence. Many congratulations to Russell Paterson who is 2006 overall champion in his class C6 Roadster.

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup

Race Report:

Round 3 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Brands Hatch June 11th 2006

A 24-car entry lined up for Round 3 of the Morgan Challenge on a glorious hot sunny day at the Kent circuit. The battle for pole position in qualifying was between old rivals Rick Lloyd and Keith Ahlers both in 400hp class A +8’s. Keith having just returned from Pau in France where he and Ollie Bryant had achieved an outstanding 2nd and 3rd in British GT Cup courtesy of Keith’s Aero 8 GT.

6 Lightweights were jostling for the top Roadster slot and it could not have been closer with Russell Paterson and Ray Higgs recording identical times followed by Simon Orebi Gann, John Emberson and Andrew Thompson. This was the first time John (who drives to every meeting) had out qualified Andrew. Novice Roger Whiteside qualified well off the back of the grid on his first visit to Brands.

At the start of the 30 minute race Lloyd got the drop on pole man Ahlers and led for the first third of the race after which Ahlers got by him and held on to finish. Paterson’s Roadster got an excellent start and held Higgs car at bay until Higgs pulled off with a misfire. Orebi Gann came into contention and finished only a few seconds down and secured class fastest lap. Thompson finished third in class from Whiteside who got past Lindsay’s +8 for 17th over all – a good effort. Emberson had kept in touch with Thompson but retired after he ran the kerb and his fuel pump cut out, John having forgotten there was an isolator switch! Altogether an entertaining race up and down the field. Next round Silverstone on June 25th.

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup

Race Report:

Morgan Challenge May 14th Donington

A damp practice upset the normal order somewhat, Russell Paterson qualifying an outstanding 5th overall from Simon Orebi Gann (13th) and Andrew Thompson (16th). The race however was dry and involved an exciting battle between Olly Bryant and Keith Ahlers for the lead, and an equally close tussle between Russell and Simon for the Roadster lead. Russell and Simon finished 8th and 9th respectively from Andrew Thompson in 11th. Novice Roger Whiteside in his Roadster again improved dramatically in the race cutting a respectable time of 1.30.95

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup

Race Report:

Roadster Cup Snetterton 16th April

An excellent entry assembled for the first race of the year at Snetterton in Norfolk, 6 Lightweights were entered, competing within the Championship for the first time this year. Unfortunately the MSA were unable to resolve difficulties with Ulrich's race licence in time for him to compete but he came along to meet other competitors and support our other new racer Roger Whiteside. Roger, whose only track experience in the Lightweight had been at Silverstone in very wet conditions, drove very sensibly in practice while learning the circuit but really pulled it together for the race with his fastest lap over 10 seconds quicker, a really good effort. Russell Paterson won the class from Simon Orebi Gann.

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup

Race Report:

Round 10 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Brands Hatch September 10th 2005

The last round of the Roadster Lightweights first season had arrived very quickly and having watched over the Roadsters all year I decided to bring out my +8 for a bit of fun and to see how it compared to the Lightweights.

There were 5 Roadster Cup lightweights out of a field of 18, Philip McKelvey driving my Roadster for the day on this occasion. I was pleased to qualify 9th in my +8, just ahead of Andrew Thompson and Ray Higgs in their Lightweights, but well behind Russell Paterson in an outstanding 5th place. I had great fun in the race chasing Richard Plant and Simon Orebi Gann and trying to stay ahead of Ray Higgs which I just managed! Russell Paterson had another great race, just holding off Simon Orebi Gann at the flag.

All in all an excellent finale to the Roadsters first season and congratulations to Russell Paterson on winning the inaugural Roadster Cup. Andrew Thompson was delighted to be awarded the Driver of the Day which was well deserved. Invitation class (i.e. all Roadster Cup Drivers) are not eligible for Championship points, so played no part in the overall standings, nevertheless I was delighted to see Simon Orebi Gann win the Championship overall in his Class C Roadster Lightweight.

Richard Thorne
Roadster Cup Co-ordinator

Race Report:

Round 7 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Brands hatch 14th August 2005

Much more pleasant weather graced the JEC meeting at Brands, with a full complement of 6 Roadster Cup Lightweights bulking out a rather sparse 17 car grid.

Novice Ryan Mone was in my car for the day and performed very well in practice for 3rd in class despite having never having sat in the car before. Simon Orebi Gann in his Class C Lightweight just pipped Russell Paterson for 6th with Ray Higgs 2nd in Class E and 9th overall.

In the race Paterson and Orebi Gann has an excellent battle with Paterson victorious on this occasion. Mone had a good start in my car and finished a very strong 2nd in Roadster Cup from Ray Higgs, Andrew Thompson, John Emberson and Charles Steward. Russell Paterson is now unbeatable to win Class E with 2 rounds to go.

Richard Thorne
Roadster Cup Co-ordinator

Race Report:

Round 6 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Silverstone 24th July 2005

A thoroughly wet day on the international circuit greeted the Morgan Challenge competitors, the first this season.

Keith Ahlers was on pole by over a second from Peter Horseman, with Russell Paterson an outstanding 5th overall, the 1st lightweight ahead of Simon Orebi Gann and Ray Higgs in a grid of 20. Although the rain had almost ceased, the track was still very slippery for the delayed start; Ahlers duly won while Paterson has an outstanding race to finish 5th infront of Orebi Gann and Higgs. All the novice competitors made it home safely in their first wet race.

Richard Thorne
Roadster Cup Co-ordinator

Race Report:

Round 5 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Cadwell Park 10th July 2005

Due to clashes with the British GP and races elsewhere a rather sparse grid of 14 cars enjoyed a lovely sunny day at glorious Cadwell. Russell Paterson produced a stunning practice time to put his Roadster Lightweight on the front row of the grid! Although the +8's managed to depose him off the start, and he finished a little down on qualifying this was still outstanding for a standard engined Roadster.

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup

Race Report:

Round 3 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Silverstone 11th June 2005

All six Roadster Lightweights were entered for round 3 on the Silverstone National Circuit organised by the Bentley Drivers Club, Charles Steward having recovered from his knee injury and our Motorsport team had completed repairs on Andrew Thompson' car.

With Simon Orebi Gann's Lightweight entered in class C, Roadster Lightweights formed more than 25% of the 27 car grid!

The Richard Thorne team were very much looking forward to Adrian Van Der Kroft driving our Lightweight as we had spent time since Donnington optimising the rear suspension and his experience and feed back would be invaluable. Adrian duly qualified 11th overall, just ahead of Simons Class C Roadster and well ahead of Russell Paterson who had never competed at Silverstone before. Adrian was pleased with the back end grip and traction and looked forward to the race.

This proved to be a real battle with a terrific tussle for the lead between Oliver Bryant and Rick Lloyd, with lots of action up and down the field. Through it all Adrian gradually made his way up the order finally finishing an outstanding 6th overall! Bearing in mind the Lightweights have standard engine and box this underlines the outstanding potential of the new car.

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup

Race Report:

Round 2 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Donington 15th May 2005

The weather was absolutely glorious – hot and sunny - for the 2nd round of the Morgan Motor Company Challenge at Donington Park this Sunday.

All our Lightweight drivers were raring to go, we delivered our car to the track early on Sunday morning for Andrew Thompson who was racing it, pending the repair of his own, John Emberson again road drove his car to the track with his son and wife as race support. Russell Paterson and Ray Higgs both stayed at the circuit the night before – very sensible as signing on was 8.00 with qualifying at 9.00! Unfortunately Charles Steward was unable to race due to a minor knee injury – he hopes to be out for the next round at Silverstone

Qualifying was eventful as usual, Keith Ahlers taking pole in his Class A +8 with Rick Lloyd a close second. Russell Paterson qualified 1st in the Roadster Cup Class less than ½ a second behind the Class C Roadster of Simon Orebi-Gann. Ray Higgs qualified 2nd in Class, Andrew Thompson 3rd (despite a small off into the gravel trap at Redgate corner!) and John Emberson 4th.

The race was fantastic; Russell Paterson passed Simon Orebi Gann early on during the race, and was managing to put a steady distance between them before his foot slipped on the brake pedal causing him to come off the track. He recovered well, and despite Simon getting back past him, he still managed to take first in the Roadster Cup Class and fastest lap. Ray Higgs had a great race, beating the red Class D +8 of Mary Lindsay. Meanwhile, John Emberson and Andrew Thompson were having a great battle together a bit further down the field after John getting ahead of Andrew on the first lap.

Everyone is very much looking forward to the next race, at Silverstone at the Bentley Drivers Club meeting on the 11th June. Well-known Morgan enthusiast Adrian Van Der Kroft will be driving our car.

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup

Race Report:

Round 1 Powertorque Morgan Motor Company Challenge

The Roadster Cup: Snetterton 24th April 2005

Intro:

Having picked up their brand new cars on the Monday our racers were keen to get some practice in before the first race on Sunday.

Journalist Mark Hales was to race our car in the first race, so he was testing on the Friday to get a feel for the Lightweight. He was very impressed indeed and was getting faster and faster lap times throughout the day. He has subsequently confirmed he will be writing a feature article about the Roadster Cup to appear in the Saturday Telegraph Motoring section.

Russell Paterson is the only other Lightweight owner in Class E who had raced before – all be it not for 15 years! His distinctive Lightweight is Black and silver with black alloys and looks stunning out on track. He soon got back into racing and with some additional track time on Saturday, he easily did the most laps of anyone all weekend.

Ray Higgs was also there testing on Friday and although he has had some single seater experience, and shared Philip McKelvey’s Aero 8 for a race in the Morgan challenge last year, this was his first time out in his Lightweight, the same colours as his classic Jaguar in light blue.

John Emberson is no stranger to owning a Morgan, in the past few years he has owned a 4/4, Aero 8 and an Aero 8 GTN, and now a Roadster lightweight! Despite this, Friday was his first time on track and it was to be his debut race on the Sunday. His car is in the Morgan works colours of Silver and blue, with a silver hardtop.

Andrew Thompson owns the gorgeous purple car, and although he has competed in many historic rallies in the past, he is a complete novice on the racetrack. Unfortunately he was slightly over exuberant in the test session, and his car was damaged on the second lap. We could not repair it in time for the race, but we let him borrow our car to do the second race on Sunday, so at least he got a drive! Ray Higgs lent his car to him for track experience on the Friday afternoon.

Charles Steward was also debuting this weekend, he was unable to make the test session on the Friday in his works coloured car, although he has done some laps there previously on our test day in February. Sunday was his first ever race, and I’m sure he wont mind me saying that he was a bit nervous!

Race day:

Despite the weather men assuring us that it was going to be hideous weather, Sunday morning was clear and bright and very warm – fantastic conditions for the first race this season.

Qualifying was at 9.20 so it was an early start for all of us! All the lightweights looked amazing on track – all with Silver wings. There were a total of 26 cars entered for the race from Keith Ahlers and Rick Lloyd’s class A cars, to a 1950’s flat rad and all in between.

Mark Hales qualified fastest out of all the Roadster Cup Competitors in our car with a lap time of 1.24 seconds with Russell Paterson a close point 2 of a second behind him, both ahead of most of the class C cars, and even some class B cars – not bad for an essentially standard car!

The race was very exciting; as usual for the first race of the season all the competitors were eager to be back on track after the winter break – which made for exhilarating viewing for the many spectators!

Rick Lloyd won the race overall in his Class A +8, followed by veteran Morgan Challenge racers Peter Horsman and Simon McDermott in second and third. There were some unbelievable battles for position up and down the grid.

The Roadster Lightweight racers had a fantastic first race – Mark Hales took first in class, (8th overall!) Russell Paterson second, and Ray Higgs third. Judging by the huge smiles on their faces as they came back into the paddock they all enjoyed themselves immensely. The next round at Donnington on May 15th should make for equally interesting viewing as they all get used to their cars and get faster and faster.

Helen Thorne
PR Co-Coordinator
Roadster Cup