The Morgan Works Race Team recently received the unexpected news that its entry application for the 2003 Le Mans 24 hr race has not been accepted by the selection committee.
No reasons are given for the decision, which will shock the thousands of loyal Morgan fans around the world who were planning to travel to France in June to support the famous British marque, and millions more TV viewers. At last year's event, the privately-entered Morgan Aero 8 won the hearts of the crowds and was widely acclaimed for reviving the true spirit of motorsport and providing the antidote for the predictability and lack of excitement generated by big budget, major manufacturer teams in motorsport.
Commenting, Morgan Works Team manager, David Dowse said:
"This is a bitter blow, particularly as we are so far advanced with the project, and we've made great progress with developing the car. We were sure that our efforts last year, and the fantastic support we received from the fans, would secure us a place in 2004. No doubt the organisers have their reasons, but it is very difficult to understand why a genuine manufacturer like Morgan, with a fully homologated production car, should be excluded. We feel very sorry for our supporters, but I know they would wish us to carry on in true Morgan spirit, and we flatly refuse to give up."
The Team's sponsors have been extremely understanding, and most have already agreed to support a revised plan that will see the Aero 8 racing instead in the FIA GT races in Europe, including a 24 hr race at Spa, Belgium in July.
"If we can secure sufficient support in these difficult times, we will go on to race internationally, possibly in Japan, Australia, and the USA. It is our clear intention to build an undeniable case for an entry at Le Mans next year, and we believe the best way to do this is on the race track. The new programme will also give more fans the opportunity to come to see us, " Dowse concludes.
March 4,2003 72 Applications Received
The " 24 Heures du Mans " will fittingly celebrate its 80th anniversary next 14th and 15th of June.
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest received 72 applications for participation.
If the quantity of applications is slightly inferior to the one last year, the quality of the entries is asserting from year to year.
Among the entries we received, new cars are appearing in each admitted category and which allows to consider the presence of, at least, 5 different makes in each class.
Among the 72 registered applications, 31 are Prototypes, and 41 are GT.
Concerning the Prototypes, we count 17 LMP 900, 2 LM GTP and 12 LMP 675. As for the GT, 14 LM GTS and 27 LM GT.
The selection committee will be meeting in the coming weeks following the 12 Hours of Sebring so as to fix the list of the 50 cars invited to come forward the scrutinaring of the Preliminary practice session of the " 24 Heures du Mans " (Sunday 4th May).
As last year, the selection committee should keep another list of 6 reserved cars, at the maximum.
Those cars will replace any withdrawal, in the order of the list (the category will not be taken into account).
March 3,2003 2004 Preview Le Mans Regulations
The "ACO Specifications" philosophy (ACO Technical and Sporting Regulations), which is aimed at manufacturer competitors and private competitors for prototype and GT categories, remains the same.
This new 2004 Regulation is the result of a common work between the "Automobile Club de l’Ouest", the FIA and the manufacturers. It was ratified by the World Council.
It concerns the closed and open prototype cars which will have the same rules.
The "Le Mans" prototype category is made of :
Le Mans prototype 1 ("LM" P1) : open or closed car weighing a minimum of 900 kilos which replaces the "LM" P 900 and "LM" GTP. This category is the only one which can lay claim to victory in the general classification of the "24 Heures du Mans".
Le Mans prototype 2 ("LM" P2) : open or closed car weighing a minimum of 750 kilos. The cars from this category which replace the "LM" P 675 are less sophisticated and less high performance and are mainly aimed at private competitors.
The main modifications concern the active and passive safety of the car in its structure and its flat bottom with as main objective the drivers safety.
New definitions (static load test, crash testing of the frontal absorbing structure) have been given concerning the safety’s structures which may have the approval of the FIA. Are concerned :
Survival cell
Frontal absorbing structure,
Rear and front rollover structures.
A crash testing will also be practiced on the steering column.
The cockpit will ensure a better protection of the driver through the improvement of its inside volume. Three areas of padding ensure the driver’s head protection.
In order to improve the horizontal stability of the prototype cars, large studies have been realised about car aerodynamics. Numerous wind-tunnel tests have permitted to determine new definitions concerning the underside of the cars : it can be said today that the flat bottom no longer exists.
In addition to the rear diffuser which remains two little side diffusers will equipped the car built according to the 2004 Regulations. One rectangular block (skid block) must be affixed underneath the reference surface.
The section and the length of the rear wing will be reduced.
All in all, the cars will have to have "more bodywork".
The specifications of the engines for the cars of the new 2004 regulations, are unchanged but the restrictors used will be those of 2002. The appendixes will give the dimension of the restrictors linked to diesel engines.
The cars built according to the actual specifications will allowed to race without modification in 2004 and 2005, but keeping the reduction of the restrictors’ diameter established in 2003.
In any case, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest keeps the command of the eligibility of the cars admitted in the competitions administrated by the “A.C.O. specifications”.
March 3,2003 Morgan Driver Lineup Announced
Charles Morgan, third generation of his family to run the legendary British independent sports car company, will share the driving honours in an ambitious works entry at Le Mans 2003 with well-known British GT star Martin Short and Matt Griffin, a rising young Irish driver who has already made a big name for himself in Formula Renault.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for the Morgan Motor Company, and for me personally. Very few people are fortunate enough to drive at Le Mans in a car carrying their own name, and I am absolutely delighted to have the chance to do so in such illustrious company. Martin and Matt bring great energy, flair and experience to the team, and I know we'll all do our best to prove that the Aero 8 is one of the world's great sports cars," comments Charles Morgan.
The three drivers will work under the expert guidance of Christopher Lawrence, Team Morgan's Technical Consultant. His unique Le Mans career spans 40 years, from a Class Win in a Morgan in 1962 to a major role in Morgan's return to the world's most famous racetrack in 2002, when the works-assisted RSS Team silenced the critics and won the hearts of the crowd, despite retiring with engine failure after running for 18 hours.
"A great deal of work has been done on the car since last year, and especially on the engine," says Chris Lawrence. "I think we now have a car that should really make people sit up and take notice, and with three excellent drivers on board, we are really looking forward to picking up our unfinished business at la Sarthe."
Over 50 people have already responded to Team Morgan's call for financial support via its "Exclusive Le Mans Partners Scheme", each donating £1,000 in return for a package of benefits and the chance to win a Morgan sports car. More details are available from www.morgan-motor.co.uk. The team has also secured technical sponsorship from Carlube Motor Oil, and further sponsorship announcements are expected in the near future.
"If sufficient support is available, we plan to continue after Le Mans with an international endurance race series, which could see Morgan competing at Suzuka, Bathurst, Daytona, and possibly other American Le Mans Series events," Charles Morgan concludes.
February 15,2003 Luc Alphand Buys Courage LMP 675
It had been known that Luc Alphand Aventures was interested in purchasing a new Courage LMP 675 but financial problems had arose and it looked as if this would not happen.
That was until yesterday when Luc Alphand bought one of the new LMP 675's. "I do not know yet if Luc will be driving, explains Philippe Poincloux. All will depend on how he feels at the wheel of this car. But one thing is certain, it will also be driven by two drivers of great French notoriety.
The Courage LMP 675 will be powered by a Rover AER engine. The schedule of events for the car has yet be finalized, but Poincloux mentions that it will begin at Le Mans along with the GT Porsche entry, and then the car will contest one or two ALMS events at the end of the season. The Spa and Monza rounds of the FIA Championship are also in the works.
Created and Designed by John Favata
