Chas Reynolds, Sporting section
WHAT TYPE OF RACING
It can be any form of competition and that can be on tarmac or grass. Racing as described below is primarily focused on tarmac as that is where most of our sport is centred. Some may point out that the Morgan, with its single rear wheel, will never manage to compete with a car or motorbike on loose ground, yet Morgans did indeed make a name for themselves in period in trials. However the notes below are focused on racing on TARMAC.
You can race anywhere once you have all the licences and equipment.
In Vintage Racing, Morgans have the unique opportunity of racing against both four-wheelers – cars – and three-wheelers – sidecars. There are restrictions within each discipline, and different requirements both for licences (MSUK for four-wheeler and ACU for three-wheeler competition) and equipment. One fundamental difference is that with ACU events, a passenger (or ballast) is carried to even competition with the sidecars and traditionally that is where Morgans raced. Only in recent years have Morgans also been able to race against cars.
ASK FOR HELP
The MTWC is keen to support all newcomers to racing at all levels and especially younger ones. There may be opportunity for financial support. Ask for help! Speak to the Competition Secretary, chat with current racers, go to a race meeting and sample the fun. Help can be in many forms, whether just encouragement or more tangible forms such as leathers, helmets… even a Morgan!
WHAT YOU NEED in brief.
- A budget. As with any hobby racing costs.You can limit that cost by choosing a category of tune to suit your pocket.
- Green Card – to validate your Morgan
- Racing licence
- Race wear – overalls / leathers, helmet, gloves, etc
- A Morgan prepared for the track
- Maybe a trailer and corresponding tow vehicle.
THE mtwc SPORTING FORMULA
The Sporting Formula is available on the Club website and categorises Morgans, dependant upon their state of tune. Morgans can be prepared to fit into one of three categories, Standard, Touring Modified and Racing. You may choose to develop your Morgan to move from one Category to another.
We particularly encourage the Standard Morgan to come and race. There is a long tradition of Morgans being driven to a circuit, raced then driven home.
THE GREEN CARD PROCESS
In line with many one-make car clubs nowadays, the MTWC has a system of approving cars. This process, by which all competing cars are checked against the Sporting Formula, was created many years ago by the Club.
If you want to go racing with your Morgan you must have a GREEN CARD. We recommend you first speak with the Competition Secretary who will guide you through the process. The Eligibility Scrutineer will recommend the approval of your Morgan so also have a chat with him/her. Then raise and complete the Eligibility Form which seeks to document the Morgan and its state of tune, to establish the correct class for your Morgan – Standard, Touring Modified or Racing.
ACU & MSUK licensing process
To take in licensed motorsport event you must have a licence. As explained above, the UK’s 2 licensing authorities are the ACU and MSUK and they issue licences (as well as regulating all aspects of motorsport e.g. issuing track permits)
The licence process is explained in on-line handbooks.
The ACU has a procedure to issue one day licence for sprints on the basis of the applicant having a driving licence
Race Equipment
You will need the following Safety Equipment. All equipment must be to a standard as laid out in the handbook. These standards are for your safety – and for your passenger’s safety – and are an aspect of racing that takes some getting used to. These standards evolve and standards change regularly so must be given due attention
Note there are different requirements of the ACU and MSUK, each specifying the standard to which each item must comply.
- Race overalls or leathers. MSUK also require fireproof undergarments.
- ACU – “dog tag” – engraved with your name and date of birth, to be worn on a chain around your neck.
- These vary enormously in price. Not all helmets meet the standards so be careful what you buy.
- Fire extinguisher. This may be required to be as part of your race kit in the race paddock (ACU) or fixed within the Morgan (MSUK).
- A transponder is required for all circuit racing and most hillclimbs and sprints.- there are still some venues that use beam splitters. Transponders can normally be hired at the circuit. They can also be purchased so it becomes a matter of what suits you e. how many events you intend to take part in during the year.
- Race numbers. These can be painted onto bodywork or cut from self adhesive sheet and may need a roundel on which to place them. Check with the appropriate handbook.
Technical inspection – Scrutineering
At the event your Morgan and your equipment will be scrutinised at Technical Inspection. You will be required to take your Morgan to the bay where this will be carried out – best to push, if possible, to save the Scrutineer from burning their hands on hot exhaust pipes. You may be required to put on helmet and race wear.
Make sure the car is clean! Any Scrutineer will inevitably be more impressed with a Morgan that can be inspected without getting dirty hands.
Scrutineering is declared as checking the Morgan complies with the class specification. It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure the machine is safe and fit for the track. However the Scrutineer will fail the Morgan if any safety concern is raised.
Morgan Preparation
Make sure the Morgan is clean!
Check all nuts and bolts are tightened appropriately.
Lock-wire the sump plugs of engine and gearbox.
Lockwire to the gearbox mainshaft retaining nut – the large slotted nut at the rear of the box.
Steering and wheel bearings – check all are adjusted to minimise play.
If in the Standard Class, tape over all lights.
Circuit racing – an undertray of the engine is needed for circuit racing to catch and retain oil.
Check over the engine and make sure settings e.g. valves and points clearances are to specification to get the best performance possible.
NoiseThere are limits to the noise level (dB level) from the silencers and this will be tested at the track before you compete. Failure potentially means being sent home so ensure you have effective silencers.
Racing and safety.
The UK governing bodies (the ACU and MSUK), let alone the FIA which regulates international motorsport, have all sought to limit risk. Hence their regulations and those personnel involved in enforcing those regulations.
You will know how to drive on the road and you could say driving in competition is inherently safer as everyone is driving in the same direction.
Notwithstanding, every competitor is required to drive safely and with respect for each other.
As a new competitor you will be required to demonstrate your status to other drivers. The MSUK has a system of your car having a sign on the back of the car, the ACU requires you wear a Hi Vis vest.
FLAGS. You will be tested on the understanding of flags during your training day. It is up to you to stay aware of flags and obey the message they convey. If racing under MSUK event any failure to take appropriate action as signalled by a flag will be reported to the Clerk of the Course, and you will soon get to understand that if you hear your name over the tannoy telling you to report to the Clerk of the Course, then you know you are in trouble! So keep your eyes peeled for flags and signals!!
When on the track remain aware of what is going on around you. Fast traffic coming up behind you is obliged to watch out for you. You stay where you are on the track; do not dive out of the way. Hold your line and the traffic coming past will give you a wide berth. Give them room by all means but do not make any sudden change.
Racing against sidecars introduces a particular issue, that of care for the exposed sidecar passenger. A Morgan must not undertake a sidecar on the inside of the sidecar in a corner. This is to protect the sidecar passenger. Failure to follow this will result in you being hauled in front of the Clerk of the Course!!
Hillclimbs and Sprints
It is a requirement to mount a beam splitter. This will be a vertical edge of metal or wood extending forward from the front of the Morgan. It is to ensure the marshal who sets you to the start line has a solid point on which to work.
The tracks
One exciting part of preparing to compete is what sort of event to have a go at.. These are the options
- Sprints
- Hillclimbs
- Circuits (aka Road Racing)
Each has its own challenge and you would do well not to dismiss any although acknowledging that you may naturally be attracted to a particular one.
- SPRINTS
These can be STRAIGHT LINE – typically the quarter mile sprint.
There are also TWISTY SPRINTS such as Curborough. The MTWC has run this annual event for many years. In the same way as straight line sprints, your times will be timed electronically to one hundredth of a second but you have acceleration, braking and cornering to add into the challenge.
- HILLCLIMBS are essentially a twisty sprint up a hill. To list some hills
Prescott
Shelsley Walsh
Bardon
Oliver’s Mount
Gurston Down
Wiscombe Park
Loton Park
- Circuits.
We are blessed in the UK with a wide range of circuits and each will have its own challenges. To list some circuits:
Silverstone
Anglesey
Cadwell Park
Oulton Park
Mallory Park
Lydden
Castle Coombe
Thruxton
Three Sisters
Snetterton
And there’s more……so we are not short of circuits!
Also there are meetings abroad, at tracks such as Zandvoort, Montlhery, Schwanenstadt. And many more.
The MTWC Challenge Series
The Challenge Series has run for many years over a series of events, covering as broad a mix as possible, although straight line sprints tend not to feature nowadays. Have a look at the website for the events that will have been agreed at the previous year’s AGM.
The Reward
You won’t get rich monetarily by competing in your Morgan but you will have so much fun during the season that you will not want to miss the end of season AGM and awards presentation evening. The Club has many awards, some just for trying. You don’t have to be a winner.
The end
We will try the very best we can to ensure you stay safe, have fun and have the experience of a lifetime. Do come and join us!
