SEASON REVIEW

2018 Champion, Tim Parsons shows Craig HamiltonSmth how it is done e Black Sheep was far om sheepish, Iain Sumner had a double win

irteen rounds, three dropped scores, two possible winners, one Champion! A er the fi nal race had been run at Sne erton, and points to ed up it seemed there was a problem, Andrew ompson, and Stephen Locke had an equal tally of points, the same number of class wins, and the same number of fastest laps, however, it was necessary to name just one Champion.

WORDS Bob Bull PHOTOGR APHY Tripos Media

and the Morgans had but a solitary race to enjoy, scant reward for those who made the journey from Southern England. e one event was dominated by the Class 1 cars of Russell Pa erson, and Roger W hiteside, with Russell taking the honours, ompson, and Locke both won their respective Class, but Stephen nicked a point for fastest lap to gain a small advantage. With the economic climate in a perilous state, only two drivers elected to make the trip to Spa, Peter Sargeant, and Richard Fearn, therefore recording Class wins.

A rather damp and chilly Donington saw the debut of Alex Lees in the Challenge driving his Father’s familiar yellow V8, however it was Andrew ompson who claimed not only Class 2 success but also took

Ever willing to get stuck in, Greg Parnell loves a close fi ght

outright victory in both races. Alex Lees certainly made an impact with third and fourth places, although it was an epic dice between Bre Syndercombe and James Sumner that held everyone’s a ention in race two, the duo swapping places continuously around the circuit, with James just holding on for second place. e Bentley Drivers Club, August, Silverstone meeting produced the usual plethora of Morgans, and, as usual, Olly Bryant turned up with 1 MOG. Normally one would expect to see Olly cruise to a double victory, and while he did rack up two fi rsts, for once he had some opposition in the form of Billy Bellinger driving a rejuvenated Black Sheep. e 1952 Flat Rad hid a well tuned ARV6 engine under its gleaming bonnet, and bore li le resemblance to the scruff y Black Sheep of old. W hen the races were over it was Andrew ompson, Bre Syndercombe, and Steve |Locke who took respective class honours, and who seemed to

Sam and Mark Bu erworth, shared the driving duties in ‘Bumble’

be sewing up the Championship between themselves, Making his debut in the series, Louis Workman-Ruff , showed well in the Williams Morgan 4/4.

Moving to Oulton Park the championship contenders were whi led down to just two, as Bre Syndercombe suff ered from contact with a works Plus 4 2000, and failed to add to his score, Andrew won the fi rst encounter from Roger W hiteside’s Class 1 V8, taking a full haul of points, as did Steve Locke . W hile Andrew lead race 2 for a number of laps he had a raging Roger W hiteside glued to his boot, Roger was in determined mood and forced his way past to take a well deserved victory, Class wins and fastest laps for ompson and Locke meant the Championship would go down to the wire at Sne erton. Louis Workman-Ruff , with fourth and third places overall, showed he could be a threat in the future. e fi nal act of the 2022 season would be at the same

Newcomer, Louis Workman-Ruff takes on old hand Peter Sargeant

A welcome addition to the ranks was the Mint Motorsport, Plus 6

venue it started at seven months previously, Sne erton, and all to play for, who would come out on top?

W hile a ention centred on the two Championship contenders it was Iain Sumner who stole the limelight be annexing pole position for race 1 driving the family Black Sheep. A er a tardy start Iain chased down Andrew ompson’s ARV6 to record his fi rst race win, Andrew and Steve Locke both taking full points to keep everyone guessing. Race two saw Iain Sumner take a second win, but the ompson ARV6 soon headed for the pits trailing an ominous cloud of smoke. Fini! Steve Locke had no such problems taking all of the points on off er in Class 4.

A er a well organised series of races we had a worthy Champion, and equally deserving runner-up, while Class 1 had Bill Lancashire and Roger W hiteside tied

Jim Mountain heads Phillip Tisdall at the Bentley Drivers Meeting

on points, Class 2 belonged to Andrew ompson, Class 3 to Bre Syndercombe , 4 to Steve Locke , and Class 5 had Michele and Chris Bailey tied together.

Once again one can only marvel at the indefatigable, Katy ompson, who continuous to organise, and administer the series, as well as a ending all events, monitoring, liasing, problem solving, handing out results and trophies, and all with a smile. anks Katy. THE DR IVER S

One of the most signifi cant features of the Aero Challenge is the friendliness, and camaraderie evident amongst the drivers and support staff , no ma er where they may fi nish in the result. It is the likes of, Tony Kilby, John Bevan, John Richards, Richard Fearn, who turn up most weekends and enjoy their racing at the back if the pack that make the Challenge what

it is. a great place to go racing. The competition is just as fierce amongst them no matter where they are overall. Likewise the mid-field runners who frequently provide the best action of the day, the venerable Peter Sargeant, Rob Gilmore, who has moved up the ranks this year, Peter Cole, so often in a close finish, Simon Sherry, never to be discounted. Greg Parnell is a fierce competitor, as is Phillip Tisdall, an ex Champion, while Alex Lees, and Louis Workman-Ruff both made an impact in their first season. John Milbank, Craig Hamilton-Smith, James and Iain Sumner, Tom Richards, Jim Mountain, Tim Parsons, Mark and Sam Butterworth, Kelvin Laidkaw have all made their mark on the series this year. Tim Grigsby, and Phil Merson have also graced the grid this year in their first season, and have not been outclassed at all. The works Morgans of Tony Hirst and Shane Kelly added much glamour to the series, as has Tom Andrew ’s Mint Motorsport Plus 6, all adding a bit of colour to the grid. All-in-all another successful season for the Aero Challenge, roll on 2023.

THE CAR S

All the cars are Morgans of one sort or the other.

THE SPONSOR S

The support of the Morgan Motor Company is very important both in financial terms and for the back--up provided by Mark Evans and his team at the races, and