Gruelling Morgan Works Test at Le Mans ends
in Mixed Fortunes
28
April 2004
The Morgan Works Team finished a gruelling day at Le Mans on Sunday
with mixed fortunes. Adam Sharpe and Neil Cunningham completed the
required 10 laps to qualify, but a dramatic series of events in the
afternoon session prevented third driver Keith Ahlers from making the
starting grid in June – despite the superhuman efforts of the
pit crew.
Following a faultless run in the 12 Hour race at Sebring just a few
weeks ago, the Morgan Works Team arrived at Le Mans for the vital pre-race
test in confident mood.
The objectives were to qualify drivers Adam Sharpe, Neil Cunningham and Keith
Ahlers by completing the required 10 laps each, and then to carry out some development
work. The full technical team, including specialists from Yokohama, KW Suspension
and Magnetti Marelli data management were in attendance to assist with this plan.
During the morning session, all went smoothly and on plan. Neil Cunningham handled
the shake down laps perfectly, and the Aero 8 LM GT steadily improved to a very
satisfactory lap time of 4.27. The outlook was good for an afternoon best lap
time on target around 4.18.
Adam Sharpe took over around 11.30, and put in 8 laps at a steady 4.35 pace as
he learned the circuit – a superb performance from the 19 year old -
the youngest driver of the 150 drivers at Le Mans in 2004.
As the lunch break approached, the team prepared for the planned change of differential
that would commence the afternoon’s development programme. Keith Ahlers
was ready to complete all or most of his 10 laps before the break.
However, the best laid plans are notoriously subject to the vagaries of motorsport,
and the afternoon turned out to be a very different experience for the Works
Team.
Just before the driver change, Adam came in with a steering problem, which turned
out to be a blown seal on the rack. The Team decided to end the session there
and change both steering rack and differential over lunch. Adam still had 2 more
laps to complete to make the required 10.
The work went smoothly, and Adam was back out as soon as the circuit re-opened.
15 minutes later he was in for the change over to Keith. But on his very first
lap, Keith broke down near Mulsanne with reported transmission failure. First
indications were that the clutch had gone, which would have meant the game was
over without Keith qualifying. The Team towed the car back in, and quickly found
that the fault was actually a broken drive shaft, which was rapidly repaired.
Keith was soon back out to big sighs of relief.
Then, after just one more flying lap, Keith suffered a bad crash going into the
Porsche Curves, and on the circuit monitors the car looked a complete write off.
The Pit Marshalls actually signed the session closed for Morgan.
But once again, the team dragged the stricken car back in, and worked frantically
to repair serious damage to front and rear wings. The tow truck had sheared off
the rear spoiler wing. Dispensation to run without it was urgently sought, as
well as permission to re-open the test session. Time was fast running out, and
Keith still only had 4 laps on the board.
To cheers from the crew, the crowd and even the marshalls, the car went out again,
held together with large amounts of tape and many prayers. But still the fates
had not finished with Morgan Works. Another couple of laps in, Keith broke down
again, this time with a broken front driver side wishbone - probably a consequential
result of the early crash. Once again it looked like it was all over.
But the Morgan Works Team is famous for simply refusing to give up and now the
large crowd was treated to a stunning demonstration of just how much spirit it
has. The car was towed back in, and the broken wishbone was welded up with the
much-appreciated help of another team in the paddock. With just 9 minutes of
the session left, the car was ready to roll again. The team’s calculations
had Keith requiring two more laps. In a heart-stopping development just as the
car rolled out of the garage, the safety officials stopped the car, requiring
some additional work to make the battered car safe.
The clock was ticking away. Finally, the Aero 8 roared off to more cheers, and
Keith Ahlers valiantly tried to complete the necessary laps. In the end, though,
time and luck had run out, and it was simply not possible to complete the last
lap before the chequered flag ended the session, the day, and Keith’s hopes
for a Le Mans drive in 2004.
The search must now commence for a driver who has pre-qualified by racing at
Le Mans in the past.
Team Manager David Dowse comments:
"That was an incredible effort from the team, and we are extremely disappointed
that we couldn’t get Keith qualified. On the upside, though, the drivers
reported that the car was handling beautifully during the morning session, and
we are completely confident that we can run at a pace that will put us somewhere
in the centre of the class. Certainly our best time today is no indication of
what we can achieve - we simply did not have the opportunity to open her up today."
Supporters can follow the Morgan Works Team’s progress at www.morganworks.com
Related Story 04.03.2004 - Donington
Test Boosts Morgan Works Preparation for Sebring
