Motorsport
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Morgan Returns to Le Mans 24 Hours in 2012
Jan 16th
Morgan Motor Company, in conjunction with OAK, have announced that the British sports car maker will be returning to the Le Mans 25 Hours in 2012.
AutoSport UK had the following report:
“The revised version of the French team’s Pescarolo-based LMP2 prototype will be badged a Morgan LMP2 following a partnership deal with the British sportscar manufacturer. The deal encompasses the solo works OAK entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes Le Mans, as well as customer versions of the car.
Morgan boss Charles Morgan said: “It is a source of great pride that we have the opportunity to work with a racing car designer and constructor that has achieved such success on the international stage.
“While Morgan sportscars enjoy a great history, we have also gained a reputation for pioneering new technology, and I believe LMP2 represents a superb proving ground in which to develop innovative new methods.”
OAK owner Jacques Nicolet said he was “deeply honoured and proud” to be working with Morgan.
“In Morgan I feel the same passion that has inspired me since childhood, as well as the family spirit that I hope I have been able to create at OAK Racing,” he continued. “Who better than Morgan to embody the gentlemen drivers’ spirit needed for LMP2 competition?”
Morgan is this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 1962 class win at Le Mans with the Plus 4 Supersport. It will be the first time its name has appeared on the entry for the 24 Hours since the factory ran a GT2 class Aero 8R in 2004.”
Morgan Car News and Talk Morgan wish MMC and OAK every success at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2012!
2011 Morgan Plus 4 SuperSports
Feb 3rd
Morgan Motor Company have announced the 2011 Morgan +4 SuperSports. The company have this to say:
“At the 1950 Earl’s Court Motor Show Morgan introduced the 2088cc Plus 4 car to the world. This highly capable machine became the platform for annual innovative performance upgrades within the company. The perfect balance between engine size and weight was the catalyst for the birth of the Plus 4 Super Sports race ready car. This car introduced the infamous low-line aluminium body and a highly tuned mechanical specification taking Morgan to victory in their class at the 1962 Le Mans 24 hour race. This ground breaking success encouraged Peter Morgan to introduce many permanent additions to the Plus 4 which has continued to evolve to this day.
To celebrate this on the sixth decade of the Plus 4, Morgan Motor Company is proudly reintroducing the limited edition Plus 4 Super Sports.
Like it’s sixty year old predecessor, the 2011 Plus 4 Super Sports features a carefully considered specification including an array of performance upgrades, track inspired accessories and fashionable sixties themed aesthetics. This truly versatile car contains all the reliability of the modern Morgan but with a large injection of legendary 60s racing spirit.”
The key aspects of the new +4 SuperSports are 200bhp 2.0 variable cam engine, upgraded throttle bodies, performance exhaust, uprated sports suspension, 3.73 limited slip differential and 3-turn steering rack. The list price of the new 2011 Morgan Plus 4 SuperSport is £49,995 inclusive of VAT. The full brochure can be found on Talk Morgan – MMC and dealers are now accepting orders for this Morgan sports car.
Buy a Piece of Motorsport History
Apr 13th
Brooklands, in Weybridge Surrey, has often been used for Morgan sports car meets (photographs from the last event can be viewed on Talk Morgan). The site has also been witness to some racing Morgans over the many years that it has been in operation. The site relies heavily on funding from the public and because of this needs to come up with creative ways to raise these funds. With this in mind, Brooklands Museum are now hoping to raise £200,000, which will be used toward preserving the historic home of British Motorsport, by selling sections of the famous banked track.
Donors are being asked to pay for square-yard sized sections of the historic track. Prices start at £95 for the lower section of the bank, mid-level chunks are £125 and the top tier cost £150. In total, 1,980 will go on sale in support of the Museum. The Brooklands Museum Trust, a registered charity, has this to say: “Brooklands, the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit constructed in 1907, is the birthplace of British motorsport. Now, for the first time, you can take custody of square yard sections of the Members’ Banking while supporting the Museum through the donation you make.
Your contribution will help us to preserve this iconic site for the enjoyment of current and future visitors to Brooklands Museum. Whether for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for motor-racing fans to be part of something truly special.”
Morgan GT3 Win at Silverstone
May 3rd
Morgan GT3 Aero Super Sport 2009
“Dimitri Enjalbert and Johan-Boris Scheier celebrated the maiden win for the AutoGT Racing Morgan Super Sport in the opening round of the FIA GT3 European Championship at Silverstone. Starting from pole position Enjelbert briefly lost the lead but bounced back to hold the advantage until Scheier came under pressure late in the race from the Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS of Christopher Haase. The German swept into the lead on lap 22, but a technical problem forced the Audi into the pits to retire, promoting Scheier back into the lead, which he held until the flag.” – quoted from the FIA GT3 site.
More information, videos of the GT3 race at Silverstone and photos of the Morgan Super Sport and drivers can be found at Talk Morgan.