Race 2

Snetterton, Sunday 27th April

Unusually, it did not rain much at all, but the Norfolk wind was in evidence as the intrepid few ventured as far East as we go in the race series. Just 18 participants were gathered for an early sign-on and practice. Everyone was asking about the weather forecast for the day and at what speed were bands of showers crossing the country. Highly technical stuff. Bets were on for a dry practice and a wet race allowing for plenty of opportunity to debate wet versus dry tyres during the 4 hours between the two events.

Mostly the practice was uneventful though the track was cold, and tyres and drivers equally so. As usual, Keith Ahlers was first out on the track setting the pace for the rest though he didn’t feel that he was going particularly fast. He noted his gear-changing points and they were not on target. Maybe it was the wind or maybe he is getting used to the different handling, braking and gear changing of the GT Aero? Rick Lloyd found it a little slippery. No one else mentioned this and it was observed that he was really trying very hard indeed so perhaps the sliding could have arisen from that. Elsewhere amongst the Class A boys there were a variety of experiences. Phil McElvey enjoyed an exploratory practice, following Simon Orebi Gann around for a while, letting James Paterson through in a gentlemanly fashion and then indulging in a planned(?) locking up of brakes into Riches so that he could report back to the men that know whether the bias was to front or back. Matthew Wurr was running a new engine and felt it was down on top end speed. He and his team were doing rain dances and saying prayers for rain for the race to level the playing field with Keith and Rick. Chris Williams had a great practice and a great breakfast – making sure that the combined weight of driver and car complied with the new regulations….

In Class B Peter Horsman had reported that, although his car was starting well, the dashboard lights were all very dim which worried him (ageing eyes, Peter?) From the start of practice he had the alternator warning light coming on intermittently. After a couple of good laps he decided that the new transponder technology would mean that his good times were recorded and so he would avoid knackering the car (and the driver) and come in early. Chris Acklam decided that he would take advantage of Simon Orebi Gann’s half day of testing on Friday by using him as a guide for the first few laps. He then couldn’t restrain his speed any longer and outdragged Simon on the straight and carried on with his own practice. James Paterson had his car going nicely with lots of engine power and no alarms or excursions. Peter Sargeant reported dodgy brakes because they still had remnants of the oil that leaked at Donington on them (see previous report). And he was only going to replace them when he could find a second-hand hardly-used set, This was unlikely in the company he was keeping on Sunday, but he remembered he had his own remnants from last season. Plenty of time between practice and race to change them – but will Peter be ready when the call comes to collect for the race? Billy (James) Bellinger was suffering more as after 8 laps he came into the pits when he lost oil pressure. The oil pump drive had sheared off and he had a dead car. Poor Billy, indeed, as he had been out the night before but, because he was racing, he had not drunk alcohol and had had an early night – youth showing a good example to the rest of us. He’d also sacrificed his own car preparation spending time mending his father’s broken gearbox after Donington in true racing spirit.

Class C drivers were fewer in number than usual and most had an uneventful time. Simon OG consolidated his learning from Friday’s testing but was discontented with his times. Paul Burry was also discontented as he felt the car was loose everywhere and he actually lost it on The Esses and at Russell (on more than one occasion). He was hurrying off to check tyre pressures but was also aware that he needed to settle in his front brakes. Leigh Sebba decided to take it a bit easy to save himself for the race and for going to Spa for the long weekend of the Bank Holiday. But Chris Dady had events to make up for the rest of the Class. Firstly after one lap he had an ignition switch problem which was diagnosed and apparently sorted out in the pits by helpful people. On rejoining the circuit he entertained Mary, who was following, by opening and closing his door repeatedly. It wouldn’t shut properly so he decided to return the pits once again. As he turned into the pit lane entrance it swung open and then shut itself cleanly with no help from him, allowing him to drive through without stopping! Pit lane laps must be counted towards qualifying as shortly afterwards his ignition gave out completely and he had to be towed back to the paddock.

In Class D, Mary was pleased to have the door diversion to occupy her as she thought it a boring practice – she does know Snetterton rather well after all those Wilhire 24hour and Birkett 6 hour races. She did however enjoy getting the line right “without lots of men around” – Jack Bellinger, where were you?

Actually, Jack was overcooking it at The Esses and taking to the grass. He was proud to see that Philip Goddard took the exact same route, following the experienced old Warhorse onto the green and then back to the black. Philip says that he knew that following Jack’s footsteps (tyretracks?) was not the right thing to do as he was being led astray, but that he was just going too fast to do anything different. The best advice that anyone can give Philip, or any newish driver, is to follow David James, the only remaining Class E entrant, who holds the perfect line. With his new lap timer he was enjoying watching his times drop, though he could definitely do with a bit of competition from real drivers.

Several of our drivers were entered in the Roadsports race and at 10.30am they were out again on the track. Keith, Rick, Philip Goddard and Chris Williams had another go at the circuit. Keith came in very early, concerned about his rear suspension and the handling of the car. It was very unpredictable and had mechanics from all parts of the Morgan paddock poking around at the back end. Chris Williams fared even less well as his engine failed with a piston breaking through the head. A terminal problem needing a conversation with the bank manager was Chris’s view – and sadly a definite non-starter for the Morgan race.

So, brought forward by half an hour, as rain was expected later in the afternoon, the Morgan drivers were called at 1pm for a 1.30pm start with 16 left on the grid. The start was exciting as usual. Keith restated his preference for a rolling start and Rick and Matthew got ahead of him. Matthew maintained his lead through Riches and Sear but felt that he was standing still as Keith got ahead of him on the straight.

Paul Burry had a great start in 2nd gear and got past James and Chris before the first corner. James overtook him on the Revett straight but Paul held Chris off for the first lap. James and Chris A started their race-long battle at the start with Chris getting ahead into Riches and James passing at Sears where James could get into the corner faster. Further back Chris Dady had a fantastic start from being last but one on the grid. He passed 5 cars and then Simon OG at Russell at the end of the first lap. Peter S sailed past Leigh as the lights went green and Jack took advantage of the clear space left by his son and also got ahead of Leigh. Philip McElvey nosed ahead of Simon into the first bend and kept this position throughout the race.

Rick was on the pace out of Russell but on lap 2 Keith passed him in the same way he had Matthew, on the straight. For the rest of the race Keith maintained his position and whatever manoeuvre Rick tried – both sides into Riches (which we saw from the pit wall) and anywhere else that was remotely possible – but nothing worked. “Wise positioning on the track” is the phrase that Keith used! Matthew’s brakes had started squeaking (I thought all Morgan brakes did that- but maybe his aren’t Morgan standard ...) and Peter H caught up with him at Russell but could not get past. On the second lap Chris A passed Paul on the Revett Straight and caught up with James. For the rest of the race Paul had a grandstand view of their contest (sometimes to the detriment of his own steering). Philip G and Leigh got ahead of Jack and thus started another race within the race. Also in lap 2, as Chris Dady went into the Esses, Simon overtook him and then went straight on over the grass. Coming back onto the track as a passenger rather than driving, Simon caught the offside rear wheel of Chris’s car and broke the valve off. Chris D lasted a further lap but at much the same place he span off on his flat tyre and ended his race. Peter S had steamed past Simon during the incident and stayed ahead throughout the race, fast catching up on Philip McE.

For the next 8 laps there was fantastic racing as Keith and Rick diced their way through to the finish. Chris A and James had several passing events: Chris overtaking at the end of the back straight on lap 4; James going faster into Sears; James losing his gear lever knob at Russell and Chris passing again. Peter H went off at Russell on lap 7 and, despite recovering neatly, went “bang”, lost his transmission and courteously removed himself from the track at the end of the pit straight. Philip McE had been watching the James/Chris A scrap and pottering along until Peter S overtook him on Sears. This woke Philip up from being a spectator and he got past on the Reckett straight and managed to hold his own (extra ½ stone) on the corners and storm away on the straights. On the 3rd lap Philip G and Jack had passed Leigh in his Class C car and then the next lap Jack asserted himself into what he claims is his rightful position at the head of Class D. Leigh also got ahead of Philip G on lap 5 and then past Jack on lap 6. Mary was rather hoping that Philip and Jack would inconvenience each other to her advantage but it did not happen even though Philip had an off after the bridge. David was racing his own race – where are the rest of you Class E’s? We need you!

So at the end Keith took the chequered flag just 0.26 seconds ahead of Rick, splitting the race of Philip McE and Peter S by lapping Peter. Chris A and James were also racing till the end when finally Mary came between them on the last lap at Russell. One went each side of her – James got past her to win Class B and Chris didn’t. Paul missed seeing this because for once he was watching his own way around Coram on his way to winning Class C. Jack won Class D and David James Class E. There was only one lap record broken – by Peter Horsman. It was his own record for Class B and he beat it by .04 of a second – some little consolation for his broken car.

It was a great day’s racing with lots of support from local Morgan owners who were parked all around the circuit. Spectators are always welcome, particularly at Rockingham on 24th May – starting the late May Bank Holiday weekend on a high.

Kate Orebi Gann (with thanks to roving reporter Liz Burry)