REPORT: Silverstone Morgan Challenge

University of Wolverhampton Racing – Silverstone Morgan Challenge round-up

Rounds 3 & 4 - 21^st & 22^nd April 2018

The second event of the 2018 season saw the UWR Morgan team head to Silverstone in the heart of the UK & the home of Formula 1 – to undertake rounds 3 & 4 of the 2018 Morgan Challenge. In blistering heat (for April) the Aero racing drivers (Craig Hamilton-Smith [21] & Tony Hirst [69]) took to the Silverstone National circuit at 9:50am for qualifying. Under the Silverstone sun both drivers & cars performed well, securing 1st & 2nd places in class.

The car performed above expectation, giving the team & the factory little to worry about ahead of the first race, scheduled for 2pm. Both drivers had an excellent time on track swapping positions constantly through the race – a real cat & mouse race ensued, finally seeing Tony Hirst coming out on top following a fuelling issue on Craig Hamilton-Smith’s car on the final corner of the final lap! Tony finished 1st in class & 19th overall of the 31 entrants.

After some battlefield repairs to the fuel system of Hamilton-Smith’s car, the final race of the weekend started at just after 5pm & saw the two cars once again take part in some great racing. As the temperatures cooled in the early evening, a small gap developed in Tony Hirst’s favour, but both drivers held position & raced competitively & respectfully amongst the field. This time, both gained a finishing position, 1st & 2nd in class (16th & 17th overall respectively) with the 69 car of Tony Hirst just pipping the sister 21 car of Hamilton-Smith to the chequered flag.

For their efforts, both drivers were rewarded at the end of weekend awards ceremony, held in conjunction with the championship & the factory – Tony Hirst collecting his two 1st place trophies & Craig Hamilton-Smith being recognised for his battles with a driver of the day award.

The team now head to Oulton Park in May as the venue for round 5 of the 2018 Morgan Challenge.