Qualifying
I’d not raced on the 300 circuit before, and this would be the first time in Bumble with a real mission.
Up to this point I had only been testing with Bumble and although the time goes quite quickly, the 20 minutes of
qualifying ends in a blink of an eye. I had qualified 15th overall out of 31 and 6th in class B out of 9. I had
hoped to do better but it was still early days.
Race 1 A Rolling Start.
I had a reasonable get away, and kept my position into the Riches the first corner, as the traffic bunched up into
Montreal Tim Ayres in 25 came along my left side in the braking area, I had the inside line with a clean exit. On
the run down into Agostini I got past 38 Greg Dixon-Smith. Ahead in the braking area was lots of tyre smoke and
tyre marks appearing to going off onto the grass. Now on the tail of 61 Simon Baines, who’s distance fluctuated for
a few laps, eventually into Agostini I caught up enough to have a look down the inside, but couldn’t pull it off,
it wasn’t until the next lap I was close enough into Russell and with a good exit I was able to run down the inside
and get ahead into Riches. From then on, apart from the odd back marker I had a lonely race, finishing 11th overall
and 5th in class.
Race 2 A Rolling Start.
The sun was low in the sky and getting lower there was a dusted oil patch on the left of the track into Riches, I
was on the right hand side for the start. Similar to Race 1 I had a car to my right side but this time in front. It
was the number 6 car of Simon Orebi Gann, it was close thing but I was on the clipping point and ahead. Now hot on
the heels of 69 Tony Hurst, I closed up under braking into Agos, but there was no way through. Closing on Tony
towards the clipping point of Williams I was looking good when a couple of car lengths before the exit 69
gracefully as if in slow motion turned right spinning towards the infield , leaving a path for me to continue, or
so I thought!
It seemed as though as Tony spun it his left rear corner came back at me and the space in the blink of an eye
shrunk and I clipped his right rear with my right rear, and this was only lap one. Tony Later said it pushed him
round and helped to pion the car in the right direction.
There was quite a gap ahead to the next car and it was getting larger, sometime later it was Simon Orebi
Gann in number 6 had got it together and was down my inside at Riches and although into Palmer I was in a position
to get down the inside. Into Ago Simon’s left front locked up and I really thought I was going to hit him up the
back, as it was we were side by side on the exit and I had better drive out and was in front by the time I needed
to turn in for Hamilton. I caught and passed 66 Andrew Thompson who must have had problems. It wasn’t long before
Andrew retook me on the straight. During which time Simon was never far behind, he got past on the next lap in the
chicane, re-taking Simon as before into Riches, we were have a good dice but next time round Simon passed me into
Riches, I almost got alongside going into the Brundle but could not make it stick, apart from the back markers
that’s where I finished 11th overall again, but this time 4th this time in class, so going in the right direction
and looking very much to the next race at Zandvoort.
Venue Cadwell. Date 2014.
Testing. Qualifying 6th and
2nd
Race 1 7th and 2nd
21 starters
Venue Castle Combe & Date 2014
Testing
Qualifying
9th and 6th in Class
Race 1 and only. A Rolling Start.
Just before the red lights came on the engine just petered out, I didn’t know whether to put my arm in the air or
try and restart the car, I think I did both, fortunately if fired up instantly.
I had a terrific start, into Quarry I’d gone from 9th to 5th overall, then, making a place on Tony Hurst (69) and
losing a place to Tony Lees (87) going into the Esses.
Later in the race I had many laps with Tony Hurst in his fast charging Baby Doll. At Folly Tony thrust his car down
Bumbles inside, as we touched (for the second time see Snetterton race) pushing me momentarily sideways and as he
got alongside I thought he had the next corner - Avon rise, but it was not to be, I made up enough under braking to
keep Quarry mine. We seemed to have many laps together after that, with Tony making up ground in the braking areas
and getting very close, until back markers separated us. I had a luckier path through and from then on other than a
few more back markers I had a lonely race, finishing in 5th place overall and 2nd in Class
Zandvoort 3rd & 4th May 2014. Round
3. Testing.
We arrived late Thursday in time to setup camp in daylight. Our journey via Dover / Calais ferry using satnav
seemed to take us a long way round, although last time, pre satnav I remember getting lost in Holland very easily
as there were diversions with no direction signs.
Zandvoort is a great track and because it’s on the coast I always get the feeling of being on holiday.
Sign on was an hour and a half fiasco, (not like the Dutch) when we eventually got the stickers and wristbands like
many others I’d missed the (paid for) first test session, and we Morgan folks had prefilled the paperwork. It was
just a case of getting as many laps in as possible and honing the lines around this exciting circuit.
I found out that evening, when we paid for our testing it was per 50 minuet session, but I was told you
can go out in any of “these” (four, one of which I already missed) sessions, so I did, I thought it was good value.
We Morgan’s had our own sessionknown as free practice in the afternoon as part of our entry fee.
No having been here in the Morgan before I’d no previous data, so you never really know how well you are doing
until qualifying time are posted which wouldn’t be until tomorrow.
Qualifying.
Writing this sometime after the event, the one thing that is memorable is that more than a few of us Morgan drives
had problems with the track officials in the form of excess noise. Interestingly during out previous day work out
nothing had been mentioned.
The microphone was on the inside of the last corner, Arje Luyendijkbocht (don’t ask me to pronounce) just
about where everyone would be on full throttle trying to get the best speed down the pit straight.
I could do nothing more with Bumble than turn the driver’s side exhaust tail pipe away from the
microphone. I was still over the required limit and told in the races I would need to back of past the mic and
don’t think that towards the end of the race I would get away with it because I would be excluded from the race!
Now I know how a Grand Prix driver feels when to “save fuel and coast”. So, at the end of it all Bumble and I
qualified 7th overall ad * in class B, from a 21 grid.
Race 1
8th and 2nd.
Race 2 - Non Championship.
A rolling start and into the braking area of the first corner Tarzan Sharlie Goddard sneaked down my inside and
took the corner, looking at the video I was not as close the car in front of Marcus Krol (441) as I should have
been, however my excuse is the left hand side bonnet had not been secured properly and it was waving around like
double yellow flags at a multiple pile up.
The grey car of Ingo Zeitz (97) who was alongside on the grid, now several car lengths ahead had taken two more
cars and was now out braking himself on the run up to Tarzan creating clouds of tyre smoke.
I was now tucked in behind Sharlie, looking for a way past still being distracted by the flailing bonnet, I passed
in the braking area of Scheivlak (same again), now hot on the heels of Ingo who was just about to overtake in the
other Morgan of Marcus who ran wide at Marlboro allowing me an easy pass.
Backing off the throttle each time onto the straight was no fun and * was now half the pit straight ahead. I had a
few lonely laps until 69 Tony Hirst came down my inside at Tarzan, if I’d been braver I could have retaken him at
Gerlach, and once out of the corner I missed a gear and the gap widened. As I backed off on the straight Philip
Thomas in (46) flashed past, whom I stayed with for the last few laps to the end of the race, Finish * overall and
* in class.
Venue Croft & Date 2014. Testing
The Friday test was dry and went well.
Qualifying. hile waiting to venture out onto the track the heavens opened, so it was
time to adjust the brake bias. What was a dry track ten 15 minutes earlier was now awash and very slippery, some
places more than others, greasy even.
I was difficult to get any sort of heat in the tyres, and trying to bed new brake pads in these conditions was less
than ideal. So the end result was 14th overall and 5th in class.
Race 1
A standing start in very wet conditions was how it was to be, (56) made a jump start but the stopped, (98)
who was ahead were both now behind. I got along the outside of Tony Hurst (69) around Hawthorne but wasn’t
able to make it stick. The exit of Tower seemed the most greasy and difficult to get the power down even when
straight. Staying with Tony as best as I could. 98 made a nice clean pass in the braking area of Clervaux, and Tony
was pulling away. Tony and 98 were having a dice which allowed me to catch up, 98 made an unsuccessful lunge on
Tony at Sunny Out but he got past going into Complex. I shadowed Tony for quite some time, the rain had not
stopped, and although the gap varied Tony was slowly pulling away. All this time I was being hounded by Tommy ( )
when all of a sudden he hit me on the rear at the Jim Clarke esses, I spun to the out field but still on the track
facing the oncoming traffic losing three places! With the engine still running I sped of with about 6 minutes of
the race left. What would be the last lap I waved Keith Ahlers (29) through at Tower as we exchange waves I slotted
in behind to finish 15th overall and 5th in class.
Race 2 Another standing start from 14th on the grid, I was a fraction slow off the
line, me not the car, I’d been distracted having got the wrong place on the grid and had to reverse, that made me
forget to set the countdown clock, and wiping the rain from my visor just as the Reds came on didn’t help. (64) who
was alongside moved off but got slightly boxed in, I got past and also passed (56) by the end of Clervaux, then
nearly ran into the back of (98) There was a spinning yellow Morgan of ** a little way ahead, 98 made a nice
manoeuvre on Tony (69) who I would shadow for quite a few laps. (56) came from no where , flew across my front
between Tony and myself just using a bit more than the track on the exit of Tower, off line I had a hugh over steer
moment. I continued to chase Tony getting close on occasion, I was never going to out accelerate Tony but may be
stood a chance under braking, but I was so fearful of locking up under braking, (did I mention it was wet) and
ending both our races.
Some laps later (45) made a lovely overtake on me around the outside into and out of the Complex, ** got
passed Tony at the Jim Clarke Esses, but although I tried to follow through Tony took the racing line. Five minutes
later that’s how we finished, 14th overall and again 5th in class.
As a foot note I’m still confused about the finish, as I saw Last Lap and chequered flag the same time, I think
they mistook the car right behind me (1) as the leader.
Donington Park.
Quallifieing. 10th and
4th in
class.
In what would be our biggest number of 42 cars Morgan’s, all our cars qualified together.
Race 1 Another great start, from tenth on the grid to eight overall by Redgate. Then
made up another place on the Wheatcroft straight in the guise of Philip Goddard (28) and another Russel Patterson
(72) in the same place a couple of laps later. With yellow flags still being waved there would be no overtaking at
Redgate from a first corner incident between Tony Lees (87) and Greg Dixon-Smith (38) who were being extricated
from the gravel. Philip had now got together and flew past into Coppice and disappeared on the straight.
I was slowly eating into Tommy Gilmartin’s (76) lead when both of us caught and passed Philip Thomas (46) at
McLean’s and now really close to Tommy, but had to back off at the clipping point at Coppice. Andrew Thompson (66)
had a run on me out of Coppice due to being slowed and got alongside just before the exhibition Centre, now I was
boxed in, but by the end of the exhibition centre he had dropped back, I was thinking now I can pull out and try a
move on Tommy.
I had my left front wheel ahead of Tommy’s right rear wheel and I was on the kerb when the gap disappeared and we
collided. Tommy got knocked off to the left had side kerb and partly into the gravel, I went into a spin, and off
into the gravel rear wheels first and with the engine still running attempted to drive out – unsuccessfully.
At the end of lap 6, that’s where I stayed in the gravel, at the Esses for the duration of the race, instead of a
possible 4th overall and 2nd in class.
Race 2
Starting 7th on the grid all was going well, getting up to 5th behind Tony Hirst (69) then on the exit of
Redgate I ran wide to avoid contact, this allowed Greg Dixon – Smith (38) alongside and by the time we had got to
the clipping point of the Old Harpin Greg was along side I had massive oversteer on the exit loosing another place
to (72) Russel Patterson. I made good speed staying with Russel, before we go to the exhibition centre I was in a
position to make a move, slipped past and went ahead at the Esses, unlike the last race, although we were very
close on the exit!
I was slowly catching Greg when we caught Tony H, Greg went past him in the breaking area of Redgate. I was right
with Tony out of the Old Hairpin and had a run on Tony up the hill to Coppice and was clear by the clipping point.
Then there was aback marker Peter Sargient (34), who politely waved me past.
The clouds had been getting darker for some time with lightening in the distance, it was far worse from McLeans and
past Coppice, I had one major wakeup call at the former only to be caught out at the later, it was like ice on
glass. The front end went then the rear, I spun (infield) just after the clip. The engine had stalled and it seemed
such an age before it restarted. While I was stationary the leader came through Keith Ahlers (29) and Russel in 72.
I could see Tony H following suite in a spin but further back, not having stalled he lost no time getting going,
and was now quite close. Now slippery ever where and very tricky, it felt so slow but any faster and I’d be off
again, I could see Tony catching me, he had good drive out of Coppice and was gaining and made a real clean move
ahead in the braking area of the Esses, with oversteer on the right hander Tony held it together well. I was right
behind, I went left, so did Tony, I went right and went along side and ahead, except this was the last lap and Tony
crossed the finish line 12 thousandth of a second ahead! 7th overall and 5th in class.
Venue Silverstone Test 1st August 2014.
Test
Four sessions were scheduled, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
There were several things to do, check that the new set of wheels fitted properly and a new set of tyres needed be
scrubbed in.
The main job in hand was to feel my way round the Silverstone National circuit in the Morgan, although I know the
circuit, it had been a while and this would be the first time in “Bumble” at Silverstone.
So the first session would be to obtain a few laps under my belt and with a high fuel load to start, and
no previous lap times to compare, initially lap times were not important.
By the end of the second session I was confident with lines and running a more accurate fuel level and had the
brake bias just about right. It was the braking points I now thought where the biggest improvements could be
made.
Session three was only made mentionable because in the previous session someone had dropped oil, and then
it rained.
Session four started out damp but drying and with only about three minutes left to go, I was gently
increasing the speed just before the clipping point of Brooklands, when, without warning Bumble had an almighty
bang with a shudder running through the whole car, which instantly put me into a clockwise spin. Subconsciously
determined not to lose the engine I and disengaged the clutch.
I realised I had lost a wheel and wasn’t going anywhere, nothing I did or even could have done would have made any
difference; the left hand half shaft had sheared causing the left rear wheel and tyre to part company with the rest
of the car. So it was time to kill the battery master switch and bail out to a safe place behind the barrier.
When I went back to a three wheel Bumble I could see the damage, the old dark coloured fracture and the bright
metal of the shaft where it had just broken. The brake calliper had been wrenched of its now twisted mount, biting
a chunk out of the disc and spewing the brake pads out leaving one on the track and the other in the gravel. As the
wheel exited the wheel arch it pulled the wing off some of its mountings, and spit the rear alloy panel. If that
wasn’t enough, as the brand new wheel became detached it got damaged and also the new tyre leaving only the wheel
centre usable.
Although a big job to get Bumble ready for the next day’s qualifying, if all the parts had been immediately
available it would have been possible, but, after some deliberations it became clear it was going to be very
unlikely all the parts could be amassed in time to get Bumble back for the following mornings qualifying.
Needless to say Bumble and I didn’t make the grid for what turned out to be a wet race.
Buz - buz, Stuart.
Venue Snetterton 200 & Date 2014
Testing The Fridays testing went quite well eventually getting down to a 1-25.**
Qualifying
Trying to reproduce my best time from the day before was impossible, I was right behind Keith Ahlers in the que in
the hope I would not be caught up in traffic from our 31 grid.
Keith had moment and was parked up in between Murray and Chapel when is throttle stuck open into Riches the first
corner, this was only his second flying lap and still managed 2nd fastest, I did wondered what the huge cloud of
smoke was.
Race 1
Starting only 12th out of 33 and 5th in class.
While we were waiting in the collecting area yet again the weather deteriorated, creating a grease like
surface.
My rolling start was fine, now 4th in class ahead of Sam Spindlow (39) who was alongside and 11th on the grid, I’m
now on the inside of the track.
It was the first corner where I encountered Greg Dixon-Smith (26) wrestling with a “tank slapper” which
miraculously he held.
My attempts to predict his trajectory and miss him were not so successful. Just when Bumble seemed in
control the rear wheels broke traction (it seems on the video I had too much throttle as the revs rise, but it’s
the result of Bumble breaking traction) and I half spun to the inside of the track, kissing the barrier with the
left side of the car, sustaining minor body damage but more seriously damage to the left front suspension.
I re-join in last place and only to find a few yards further on waved yellow flags and at Murrays find John
Millbank stranded ninety degrees to the track on the apex of the corner, he has liquid pouring from the front of
his number 15 Morgan, it looks like many drivers had to avoid him.
By the time I was through Brundle we were under Safety car conditions. I’d caught up with the pack and then noticed
the bonnet moving little, and thought should I pit under the SC? But I also thought if I do that I’d never catch
Tony Hirst - 69.
I’m not sure how many laps we did behind the safety car, but seemed quite a few due to the fact Johns car had been
pushed over the high kerb and was now beached , half on, half off the track right on the racing line.
At times the pace was really slow, almost coming to a stop, and I couldn’t go any faster than the car in front.
Once we did get going I passed the first to cars before Riches the first corner, it was not as greasy but still
very slippery. Next to pass was Greg Parnell (26) in the Aero under braking in the Brundle. It was only once we had
got going again did I realise how dislodged the Bonnet had become. After a few more lonely laps I’m shown the Black
and Orange Flag, this means something is wrong with your car, come in. I’m not sure why I chose to pull off and
re-attach the bonnet fasteners but I did. I didn’t come in during the pace car because I didn’t think it was as bad
as it was.
I continued after asking the marshals if I could, as I re-joined I could see Tony Hurst drive past. The marshal
held me for what seemed an age, it was only 15 seconds …….which is an age in motor racing, not much chance of me
catching Tony now as I’d also have to get past all the other that had gone by.
Driving a wounded Bumble I caught and pass John Bevan (15) next would be Tasmin Doyle (18) and Clive Glass (35)
going between them on the Bentley Straight. Then the race was over, I finished last and picked up a few points for
6th place in class B, importantly I did finish!
Thruxton 20th September July 14.
Round 10
We didn’t make Thruxton, well only as a spectator. There was an issue with the new gearbox the night before
which was unsolvable in time. I can’t tell you how terrible it was just watching, thinking we should bee out
there.
So our bee didn’t buz!
Snetterton 4 Oct 2014
Quotes from the paddock (after a rainy race in which several cars were damaged) gathered by Leigh Sebba
The good
Phill Thomas (having raced in torrential rain in the Spa 6 hours two weeks
previously)
“ All that racing in torrential rain paid dividends in improving my technique”
Henry Williams
“One of the most enjoyable races of the year – racing against Jack (The advantage
of having a 4/4 in the wet)”
Dominic House
“Best race, best result. Thoroughly enjoyed it.”
The bad
Stuart Anderson
“I closed my eyes as I hit the Armco.”
John ‘drive it to the track and back’ Bevan
“It was frightening out there.”
(but he did finish unscathed)
The unfortunate
Sam Spindlow (seen ‘retiring’ more than once)
“I was in and out of the pits with recurring engine cutting out problems.”
Tim Ayres (who retired and hence lost the chance of winning Class C in 2014)
“Gearbox seized !”
(But he seemed remarkably philosophical about it)
The silly
Andy Green
“I was happily in the lead of Class B and I thought I would go to catch the slower
Class A cars ahead of me – and I spun off all by myself.”
(He lost out in this race in Class B to Greg Dixon-Smith)
BUMBLE MOG Racing. MG 4hour Team Relay Race. 5th October 2014
Venue & Date Snetterton 200
Qualifying
This would be an easy and short task, all I had to do was to complete 3 laps to qualify without trying to set a
time, then, due to the first corner incident in the AR Morgan race the previous days race use the rest of the time
to assess the drivability of Bumble. While we were (yet again) waiting in the collecting area the weather
deteriorated, creating a grease like surface. It was this the first corner where I encountered Greg Dixon-Smith
(26) wrestling with a “tank slapper” which miraculously he held.
In my attempts to predict his trajectory and miss him were not so successful. Just when Bumble seemed in control
the rear wheels broke traction and I half spun the inside of the track kissing the barrier, sustaining minor body
damage but seriously damage to the left front suspension. By the time my 15 minutes were over I was confidant the
car would be fine, Bumble pointed and stopped, and although not perfect as the left front was perhaps further back
than it should be it was good for the Race.
Race.
I had the great privilege of taking the start, the first few laps is where all 26 cars are in the closest proximity
to each other and most vulnerable to other drivers accidents.
The weather would be superb throughout the race, although the drives towards the end of the race must have had
problems with the very low sun.
I made my usual good start, passing a Lotus Eleven on my right on the grid. Taking things extremely careful I was
around the first corner, thin into Riches the number 3 MGZR who I’d also got past at the start, was very close,
deciding not to shut the door, he got alongside, giving each other space side by side is where stayed until the
exit of Chapman. We came very very close as I pulled away down the Bentley Straight.
I’m now close on the heels of an MG Metro (didn’t know they went so fast) until he went off entering Russell, next
was a pale blue MGB from team 26. Mary Lindsay in number 8 was my next encounter, She waved me by out of the Bomb
Hole, then a MGB on the straight and the MGTC (21A). I caught and passed a and MGBGT of team 11also into the Bomb
Hole and an Alfa Romeo GTV of team 4. In the distance could make out the Blue Jaguar E Type of team 14 whom we had
waved at each other in qualifying, so I knew he would be the gentleman. Next was the blue MGB I saw previously,
followed immediately by an aborted attempt into Brundle on a yellow MG Midget (24 ) it took me until the beginning
of the Bentley Straight until I go past, although he squeezed me to the edge of the track for no real reason. 24C
another Midget had been stranded at that spot early on. 17B a BMW 3 series was now in my sights and I went past on
the exit of Russell. 23B Austin Healy and 3 MG ZR. 22B. A Triumph TR4 was dealt with between Nelson and the Bomb
Hole. Mary Lindsay again in her Morgan on the run up to Montreal. More MG this time a ZR number 19A. A Caterham on
the Senna straight was next to engulf, on the same lap a Mini (BMW) of my friend Phil House who’s was at the wheel.
Yellow number 2D MG Midget on the Senna Straight. Next, a Midget 8A, MGB 26D.
Still on the exit of Coram in the braking area of Russell went round the outside of Alpha number 4C, thinking I get
ahead and be behind the 19C MGZR but misjudged the speed ran wide on the exit and allowed the Alpha back ahead,
retaking the Alpha opposite the Pits. 19C kept to the right and I was ahead before Riches. Next 18B an MGBGT, 13B a
Lotus Elise followed within a couple of seconds by 23? Austin Healy. 9D the Morgan of Tasmin Doyle, Yellow 2D
again, a 911 Porsche 14D, 8A Morgan Mary Lindsey, 18B MGBGT again. 22B TR4 again. 26? Midget joined from the pit
lane. MG TC 21C was next then Alpha (4C) who had missed the clipping point at Russell and ran wide inevitably
slowing up the exit. Red with a green hard top MGB GT 22C. Lotus 7 series 4 (7B) close in front by a couple of
seconds was the Morgan (8E) of Malcolm Dearnley. MGB 18B and Morgan (5?) and the yellow Lotus 11 I took at the
start, followed by MGTC 21C all saw the sting of Bumble’s tail! 19C MGZR disappeared behind me while trying to
negotiate past the MGB of 15C whom I eventually got past between Nelson and the Bomb Hole. 24B had his hand up out
of the car signalling he had problems and was probably going to pit.
Finally I saw my pit signals calling me “IN” I’d had a trouble free and awesome race, which went by so fast had it
really been an hour, no, actually it was about one hour and fourteen minutes, I had covered 49 laps, got our Team
“Guten Morgan” up to 4th place from 11th.
It was straight round to the petrol station to fill up to cover for what was hoped to be the last man out Simon
Scott.
Our team would finish 6th overall and 6th on handicap, but not without their stories, Sam Spindlow lost time in the
pits call to have a loose piece of bodywork removed, Simon Scott and Richard Thorne (also team manager) as far as I
know had a trouble free run. My last job was to cover for Simon, in case he has a problem, he didn’t, so my hour
sat in the pit suited and booted ready and waiting to go wanting another drive but not wanting Simon to have a
problem came to an end when the flag came out and I went onto the pit wall to celebrate.
BUMBLE Racing. Racing Review of 2014.
It’s almost twenty years since I first raced a Morgan plus eight which I remember thinking how surprisingly
quick they are.
Racing Bumble has not only been a steep learning curve, also a work in progress, there are still many
things left to try, change and improve. Bumbles progress is documented in The evolution of Bumble.
The AR Motorsport Morgan Challenge does exactly what it says on the tin. It must be somewhat confusing for the
average spectator and there are seven classes yet they nearly all look very much alike.
There were nine race weekends, thirteen races twelve of which were potential championship points scoring with the
best eight being counted towards the Championship.
The first race meeting of the year would Snetterton in April on the 300 a there mile layout, I had not raced on the
300 configuration previously, so the test day on the Friday was invaluable.
Race one would be a Rolling Start, in some ways it can be safer than a Standing Start , there is
less chance of stalled engines and stationary cars, but there is the disadvantage of higher speeds into the first
corner. Either way it is usually an exciting part of the race I finished 11th overall and 5th in
class, not too bad for a first time out.
Race twowould have some excitement in the form of Actor and fast peddling Morgan
Babydoll driver Tony Hirst. Another Rolling Start it was first time out of Williams when Tony very gracefully, in a
slow motion like action spun off to the infield. What was seemingly a big enough distance diminished as in the
blink of an eye the Babydoll appeared to come back at me as the car went round, and, Tony’s right rear clipped the
right rear wing of Bumble. It was only a slight touch and I continued. Tony later said I had help push him further
round pointed him back in the right direction. Bumble and I finished 11th overall again, but this time 4th. So some
improvement.
BUMBLE MOG Racing. The Evolution of Bumble, now Bubble 1.
It’s almost twenty years since I first raced a Morgan plus eight which I remember being surprized how
quickly they were.
Bumble was previously owned and race by Bret Syndercombe and is the red car on the side of Brands Hatch
Morgans truck.
I went with David to BHM when he bought the car in 2010.
When David first said to me “Why don’t you race the Morgan” I had no concept of where the journey would
take us. That was just before the Birkett last year, 2013. We went to Silverstone and the Birkett see how the teams
of Morgan’s performed and to check out what we might need to do.
We looked at the various machinery for towing the newly acquired trailer and come up with a Ford F350 truck chassis
based Coachman Motorhome, it has a V10 6.8 L engine and I love it, uneconomical I hear you say, well, yes but it
also runs on LPG so price wise it doubles the mpg.
It was clear this well-known car was considered over weight, so I set about removing all the unnecessary parts such
as, trim, heater, pipes, fixings and much more. I also pleased to say I lost a few surplus weight as well, however
there is still the capacity for us both to lose more.
Part way through lightening the still metallic red painted car, it was looking quite sorry for itself and it was
decided to repaint it yellow and black and Bumble was born. I saw the colour combination may years ago on a Bugatti
and thought how striking it looked. Thankfully it worked on Bumble too.
David’s grandson George, designed the logo and the web address www.bumbleracing.com was purchased.
It’s only in the last couple of races I have found a comfortable seating position, although since the steering
column was replaced the steering wheel needs moving back to where it was as my elbow hits the roll bar. One problem
is the chassis rail just behind the seat, it prevents the seat from going back far enough, but with other things to
address first it’s removal is likely to be over the winter. We looked at different a seat, but that gearbox tunnel
is in the way, and now we have a T5 Tremec fitted that hopefully will give more space for a new seat too. The
single piston sliding brake callipers continue to cause problems even though they have been replaced, another job
for the winter to replace them with 2 pot.
MGCC British Motor Heritage 4-Hour Relay Race – Snetterton 5th October 2014.
A report by Sarah Harrison
Sunday was a crisp day after Saturday’s rain, with bright sun glinting off the
chrome. Well-stocked garages were set up with steaming with hot beverages preparing
for the 90-minute qualifying and 4 hour race. The overwhelming opinion was that track
was exceptionally greasy with oil and radiator coolant splashed on various corners.
Twenty six teams were entered of which seven were Morgans; Morgan Magic with a
slight mixed contingent due to some hasty last minute alterations. There was plenty of
pensive pacing and muted discussions. When entering into a lengthy relay, strategy and
reliability are obviously key.
From a reporter’s point of view it’s difficult to follow precisely what is happening
with each of the teams as the relay unfolds. The team includes not only the drivers, but
support in the garage and on the pit wall too. From our position, Team 10 Morgan Magic,
we suffered qualifying excitement when MG Russ McCarthy’s V8 ignited a ‘spit back’ of
fuel in the holding bay and was duly extinguished by the pit crew. Removing the powder
proved to be difficult. Russ could hardly see anything until half way through his
qualifying round.
The start saw the white MGs, light on fuel apparently, set off into the lead with
Morgan Magic’s Tim Harrison in third place followed by the red Aero Racing Morgan in
forth. Gluten Morgans’ Stuart Anderson in eighth, Techniques Tigers in tenth, Williams
Morgan in eleventh, RTCC in eighteenth, Bulldog Morgans in twentieth.
The front of the pack remained the same until the leading MGs came in after 20
minutes of racing. Morgan Magic took the lead, remaining there for the hours that
followed, until the last 10 minutes of the race when the BMWs of M Sport racing
managed to pass Tim Harrison who was still suffering alternator problems. That isn’t to
say there wasn’t a great deal of excitement and ‘what ifs’ in between. One of the MGs
from last year’s winning team had to retire due to his gear stick coming off, another
burned oil around the track until he too had to come back into the pits. By the end of the
race, Morgan Magic were down to two cars; the exhaust had cracked on the MGV8 and
clutch had gone on Jerry Knight’s plus 8. As one of the spectators commented, it was
impossible to follow the race without the times on the screen!
The final results saw Morgan Magic in second, Williams Morgan forth, Gluten
Morgans sixth, Aero Racing seventh, RTCC Motorsport eleventh, Techniques Tigers
thirteenth and Bulldog Morgans in seventeenth out of the twenty six teams. However,
that is the results for the race, the results on handicap were entirely different. RTCC came
third followed by Williams Morgan. Gluten Morgans in sixth, ninth were Techniques
tigers. Morgan Magic achieved thirteenth, Bulldog Morgans sixteenth and Aero Racing
twenty-second.
During the award ceremony the general consensus was that the standard of
driving had been very high, everyone had enjoyed their afternoon and that Morgan
Magic, second for two consecutive years, will be back!