Les Dix Mille Tours by Peter Auto. 28 August-1 September
Circuit Paul Ricard, located in the Provence area of southern France, around thirty miles east of Marseilles. Not a bad place then for the team to spend a few days testing and then race a 2009 Morgan Aero Eight GT3 car in the Peter Auto Endurance Racing Legends Series. This was breaking new ground for Harry, first time in the role of mentor/coach to another driver, whilst also working with the guys at Fox Craft Racing on improving the little used Morgan. He was also about to enjoy the dubious honour of an FIA licence upgrade to Silver. Sounds great until you dial in the twenty-five second race penalty that comes free of charge. Such is the life of an emerging champion.
The Morgan in question, built and entered by the factory in 2009 to mark the first one hundred years of company history, undoubtably has potential, having set several fastest laps along with a convincing win back in period. Thus, Harry used Wednesday testing to blow away the cobwebs and establish some target times, along with car owner, Roger Whiteside. In fact, apart from a nagging misfire (possibly due to the 32+ degree high temperatures) and unsuitable spring and damper settings, eventually sorted, it was all good. Times tumbled and race-wise, against tough opposition the Aero Eight not only sounded fantastic but finished 20th overall on Saturday, and then 19th on Sunday. Now it’s back to base where the quest for more speed will continue.
Ends.