Regular spannerman Brett Syndercombe was otherwise engaged at Brands Hatch so as well as driving Rick was doing the Race Prep, whilst I ran the timing on the pit wall and we all mucked in for the mandatory driver change.
The car as always looked immaculate wearing TOK’s famous No: 29 and needed only routine checks ahead of qualifying, Keith went out first for 9 laps putting in a respectable 1m 29s before handing over to Rick. The first few laps were uneventful until Rick threw in a 1m 28s and promptly pitted, as Keith roared back onto the circuit Rick quipped, “that’ll get him fired up”. He was dead right as Keith made 1m 27.58s which was Class Pole by 0.2s and 10th overall.
Other Morgans included Malcolm Paul and Rob Wells in Malcolm’s traditional +4 (25th 1m 32.066s 4th in its Class) and Adrian van der Kroft in XOV (17th 1m 30.291s 3rd in its Class) proving that the more aerodynamic SLR bodywork is a definite benefit.
1 C3 131 JENKINSON/YOUNG 1:23.411 Jaguar E-Type 1963
2 C3 49 PHILLIPS/WILLIAMS 1:23.928 AC Cobra 1964
3 C3 33 MINSHAW/MINSHAW 1:24.417 Jaguar E-Type 1963
4 C3 13 LYNN/DAYTON 1:24.974 AC Cobra 1963
5 C3 7 FRIEDRICHS/CLARK 1:25.063 Aston Martin DP214
6 C3 19 CHILES/INGRAM 1:25.969 AC Cobra 1964
7 C3 1 BEDDALL/WYKEMAN 1:26.330 AC Cobra 1962
8 C3 20 WEBB/PEARSON 1:26.339 Jaguar D Type 1955
9 C1 8 LAIDLAW/DIFFEY 1:27.350 Porsche 904/6 1965
10 C2 29 AHLERS/BOURNE 1:27.582 Morgan SLR 1963
11 C2 117 WELCH/MASON 1.27.782 Austin Healey 3000 1961
17 B2 177 van der KROFT/PEARCY 1:30.291 Morgan Plus 4 1959
25 B2 82 PAUL/WELLS 1:32.066 Morgan Plus 4 1959
Race day was overcast but dry although all the Morgans are happy in the rain where the performance differential between them and the bigger engined cars is reduced. The Gentleman Drivers Series are 2-driver races with a mandatory driver change, in this 75 minute race the pit window was between 25 and 50 minutes, the owner has to drive at least 50% of the race but cannot drive for more than 50 minutes – so quite straightforward really !
Keith had a good start and was able to stay ahead of the big Healey and was straight into 1m 27s and 1m 28s laps running like clockwork. After 29 laps like this and with 30 minutes to go I hung the ‘IN’ board out and dropped into the pit lane for the changeover – safe but swift pitwork being our objective.
The SLR pulled up on its mark, wheel chock in, door open, belts off, out jumped Keith, in went Rick, lap belt in by me, left shoulder belt in by Keith, right shoulder belt in by me, door shut, wheel chock away, pit lane clear, Rick waved away by Keith – feels just fantastic ! and we are complimented on our changeover by the photographers after the race
Back on the track Rick is also in the groove consolidating track position, he stays ahead of the Healey, one or two ahead drop back because of problems, slow changes, or slower drivers. 5 laps before the finish we pass the 1964 Le Mans Sunbeam Tiger for 6th overall and complete 51 laps – 1st in Class by over a lap from the Healey.
I follow Keith running up the pit lane to greet Rick as he pulls up smiling next to the podium – why were we on the podium ? A great idea by the Series, they nominate a Class before the race that will be the ‘Podium Class’ for that day and then 1st, 2nd and 3rd in that Class take the plaudits - not necessarily the race winners.
The other Morgans – Rob and Malcolm won their Class B2, Adrian after running well and leading the B2 class in the early stages suffered mechanical problems and had to retire after 43 laps.
1 – C3 33 MINSHAW/MINSHAW Jaguar E-Type 1963
2 – C3 13 LYNN/DAYTON AC Cobra 1963
3 – C3 49 PHILLIPS/WILLIAMS AC Cobra 1964
4 – C3 1 BEDDALL/WYKEMAN AC Cobra 1962
5 – C3 7 FRIEDRICHS/CLARK Aston Martin DP214 1963
6 – C2 29 AHLERS/BOURNE Morgan SLR 1963
7 – C3 80 ECKFORD/BEIGHTON Sunbeam Le Mans Tiger 1964
8 – C2 117 WELCH/MASON Austin Healey 3000 Mk I 1961
9 – C3 30 GIBBON/HALL Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 1963
10 – C1 92 ASHWORTH/ASHWORTH TVR Grantura MkIII
11 – B2 82 PAUL/WELLS Morgan Plus 4 1959
This was the second round of the Series and the SLR has two Class wins having also won in Mugello, Italy last month. Next race in the Series is at Brands GP Circuit 26th-27th May Keith and the SLR won’t be running but look out for the Kremers in TOK’s sister car XRX1, Rob and Malcolm’s blue +4 and perhaps Adrian van der Kroft in XOV.
For more details try the Masters Series website http://www.themastersseries.com/gtm/calendar.html
Have Fun
Andy
