Richard Stanton and Morgan

Richard Stanton and Morgan

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jazz

Original Poster:

65 posts

279 months

Wednesday 27th February 2002
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Hi Guys,

just found this on the Daily Sportscar

Morgan Test At Rockingham
Wednesday 27 February

Decked out in a grey pin-stripe suit and pink tie on a bitterly cold day near Kettering, Charles Morgan offered a quick thumbs up and a wide grin to Richard Stanton, who was about to fire up the Morgan Aero 8 GT (N) for its first flying laps around the Rockingham Motor Speedway.

Stanton, who has bought one of the new N-GT (or LM-GT) category cars for his Race Sport Salisbury team, had his first taste of the machine in a car park before driving it on a circuit for the first time today, and he was delighted.

It is only ten weeks before the Le Mans trials in May, but Stanton was encouraged despite having to survey the mechanics delving under the bonnet after a rather smoky end to its first run. He loved the power of the 4.4 litre, Heini Mader-tuned BMW engine that has been taken from a world power boat championship contender, the optimistically titled 'Victory'. "The car was well balanced, too, which is amazing because we have no set-up on it at all," he said.

A 24-hour test is planned in Europe, a full British GT campaign is set, and the Race Sports Salisbury team was disappointed not to be able to contest the British round of the FIA GT Championship on May 4 at Silverstone, just one day before having to be on parade in France.

However, both Stanton and Morgan have to wait until the end of March to find out if the Le Mans entry is accepted, no certainty as the car will not have raced before the decision of the ACO is reached. However, the French would be barking mad not to allow the little car into its showpiece event this year.

The Aero 8 will be welcomed to the British bosom, a nationality of bosoms which famously favour underdogs and there is no doubt that is exactly what the Aero 8 GT (N) will be against the Porsches and Ferraris in its class.

This is the first of a two-year assault on the French endurance classic, says Morgan, who spent the morning playing down the car's chances this year.

An initial run of three cars are being built, one for Stanton the remaining two heading for an as-yet-unknown destination, but more are available for anyone who wants to buy one.
Andrew Cotton

Guy Humpage

12,046 posts

291 months

Thursday 28th February 2002
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It will be great to see such a 'distinctive' car as the Aero8 racing in amongst the conversatively styed Porkers. Fingers crossed for a Le Mans Entry.

I'm off to DSC to see if they've got any pics...