RE: Morgan heads for Le Mans (sort of)
Wednesday 18th January 2012
Charles Morgan with Oak boss Jacques NicoletThe Morgan Motor Company is to return to Le Mans (or at least its badge is) to compete in the LMP2 prototype class.
Like this, but with a Morgan badge...As part of a programme that celebrate 50 years since a Morgan achieved a class win (back in 1962 with a Plus 4 Supersport) the British sports car manufacturer has inked a deal with French team OAK racing for the works OAK entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes Le Mans, to run with Morgan branding.
Morgan's last Le Mans effortAlthough the Oak-Pescarolo Morgan will be built in the 'Technoparc' within the 'infield' section of the Le Mans circuit it will, technically, be the first time Morgan has been represented at Le Mans since the GT2-class Aero 8R from 2004.
Morgan heads for Le Mans (sort of)
Oak-Pescarolo LMP2 will compete with Morgan badges at the Circuit de La Sarthe
Charles Morgan with Oak boss Jacques Nicolet
Like this, but with a Morgan badge...
"It is a source of great pride that we have the opportunity to work with a racing car designer and constructor that has achieved such success on the international stage," said Morgan boss Charles Morgan. "While Morgan sportscars enjoy a great history, we have also gained a reputation for pioneering new technology, and I believe LMP2 represents a superb proving ground in which to develop innovative new methods."
Morgan's last Le Mans effort
Discussion
This is either something of a sell-out by Charles Morgan or , instead, the start of something very interesting.
Morgan has traditionally been able to achieve great things with its own cars. The fact that they have chosen to "brand" another race car could be very disappointing, if it was not for the statement that they plan to use the race car to test parts and technology for Morgan. If they REALLY do this, then it is a good thing. If they do not, and it is in fact just a case of slapping a Morgan badge on a race car that has nothing to do with them, then it is a very bad show. A bad show indeed.
Morgan has traditionally been able to achieve great things with its own cars. The fact that they have chosen to "brand" another race car could be very disappointing, if it was not for the statement that they plan to use the race car to test parts and technology for Morgan. If they REALLY do this, then it is a good thing. If they do not, and it is in fact just a case of slapping a Morgan badge on a race car that has nothing to do with them, then it is a very bad show. A bad show indeed.
V8 FOU said:
Errr..... What? What next? BMW makes an assault on Le Mans under the Mini badge (Hmm been done on the Dakar)
How about resurecting the Reliant "brand" on an Ascari or whatever? Del Boy does Le Mans..
Hmm, slightly different MINI are an integral part of BMW How about resurecting the Reliant "brand" on an Ascari or whatever? Del Boy does Le Mans..
...and as for somewhat snide 'been done on the Dakar', MINI (or Beemer if you want to be that way)
it did produce real results, they did take 5 of the first 10 places, inc 1st 2nd and 4th!
Vocal Minority said:
Aren't the different responses in the two threads interesting...phillpot said:
Whatever next...TVR badge on a Porsche ?
And when Jaguar last won Le Mans, how much of it was Jaguar ?And when Bentley last won Le Mans, how much of it was Bentley ?
And when Red Bull Infinity won F1, how much of it was Infinity ?
How much of a Morgan is Morgan ?
Engine / Drive train / Chassis ? All made in Germany.
How much of a Mini Countryman is Mini ?
Body made in Austria / Peugeot engine
Phillpot - how times have changed.
The Angry Gopher said:
Good to see the brand back at Le Mans. No different to Lola developing the chassis for Aston Martin. Most Le Mans constructors work with a technical partner.
I agree, it was great stuff when Bentley were winning ten years ago. No reason to support this Morgan any differant!
And when Red Bull Infinity won F1, how much of it was Infinity ?
Thought it was Red Bull Racing and Renault that won F1 - and it was their engine?
Infiniti provided £8M+ sponsonship and the stickers - and overpriced ugly Nissan stickers they were too!
But as Renault own around 25% of Nissan it's far too direct a connection for this level of debate!
Thought it was Red Bull Racing and Renault that won F1 - and it was their engine?
Infiniti provided £8M+ sponsonship and the stickers - and overpriced ugly Nissan stickers they were too!
But as Renault own around 25% of Nissan it's far too direct a connection for this level of debate!
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