MTWC Challenge Series Round 6

Morgans were entered in four events.

In the Challenge Series Race it was a 1, 2, 3 for JAP 8/80s with Bill Tuer leading Hamish Bibby and Nigel Challis home. A great result for Nigel who started at the back of the grid.

Iain Stewart was 6th in Race 3 – Vintage Racing Cars.

Sue Darbyshire was campaigning the road-going Super Aero in the Standard and Modified Pre-War Sports Car race, along with Simon Edwards in his Super Aero. In a field of 31 cars, Sue came 2nd and Simon 5th. Sue got fastest lap before the race was red-flagged. Sue says “My race was red flagged because one of my fellow competitors lost a wheel and for some strange reason couldn’t manage on three….I know, hard to believe isn’t it!!…..and he ended up parked in a very dangerous place on the circuit.”

Bill and Hamish were both entered in Race 9 – Pre-War Racing Cars but neither finished.

A report on the Challenge Race from Austin Smith.

With a strong entry of 15 Morgan Three Wheelers the MTWC were well placed to put on a good show for the event hosts (Vintage Sports Car Club) and the Mallory Park spectators. They didn’t disappoint……

Practice

Jim Edwards had engine problems on his Family JAP prior to the start, but after being ably helped out by a number of his fellow competitors he eventually got going, only to suffer clutch issues that ended his event on the first practice lap. Bill Tuer also had to be towed off the track due to electrical issues, but they didn’t stop him coming out to race. Nigel Challis was penalised for overtaking under a yellow flag (tut tut), which resulted in him being placed on the 5th row of the grid.

Race

Unfortunately Phil Bridge didn’t make the race in the Clews F Type Racer, as the engine refused to start. Phil suspected dodgy fuel to be the problem as everything else seemed to be working as it should. Bill Tuer and Hamish Bibby (JAP 8/80 Racers) were on front row of the grid followed by Chas Reynolds (Super Sports JAP) and Austin Smith (5 Speeder). Chas, no doubt inspired by passenger Sue Darbyshire, got off to a flyer and lead into Gerrards, whilst Austin managed to hold 4th all the way around to Edwina’s chicane where he braked rather late and careered across the grass. After safely returning to the tarmac he promptly spun back onto the grass! Austin’s late braking escapade resulted Tom Cowley (Super Aero Matchless) shunting into the back of Nigel Challis who spun on the track while Tom followed Austin onto the grass, all causing much entertainment for the spectators. Tony Pearson (E93A Ford) retired when his spring hanger broke and was soon followed by Alistair Rew (Aero JAP JTOR) as his engine had gone off song. The retirement of Tony Pearson allowed Nick Clegg to take Touring Modified honours on his circuit racing debut in the Hodgson’s F2 Ford E93A. Steve Lister had no competition in Standard Class due to Jim Edward’s woes and enjoyed giving Ruth Ross a pleasant drive while waving to everyone who managed to overtake them. After the demise of Chas Reynolds on Lap 5 Bill and Hamish led the way in Racing Class, with Nigel Challis a distant 3rd in his Super Sports JAP that was now slightly shorter than when the race started. Amazingly Tom Cowley completed the race in 5th place even though he lost his oil pump in carnage at Edwina’s. Iain Stewart gave his wife Graca a smooth race in her first event in 15 years, but was chased all the way by Danny Hodgson in the F Type Racer. In contrast to Austin, John Scruton enjoyed a steady race in his 5 Speeder, although he did also briefly find the grass at Edwinas during practice. Meanwhile after picking up the rear from Edwina’s on the opening lap, Austin got his 5 Speeder charging along to eventually finish 4th, in what was the most eventful race in his short Morgan Racing career.