Two weeks ago Adam Morgan bounced into title contention on the weekend of May 28th/29th with a superb win at Thruxton, the UK’s fastest circuit. A huge congratulations to Adam as it was his 11th BTCC win in his career.
The Ciceley Motorsport team arrived at the Hampshire circuit after two excellent weekends previously. However, the team found that the set-up of the BMW 330e M Sport wasn’t ideal. Some tweaks were made in time for the second practice session and for qualifying. Adam, held up by a slower car battled to 12th fastest time and team-mate George Gamble managed to get 16th. Both drivers were happy with the progress of the cars but knew that the balance wasn’t yet perfect.
Ciceley Motorsport’s engineering squad worked long into Saturday night studying data and analysing the options available. On Sunday morning the mechanics started early as they had to adjust both cars to the new chosen settings, and both cars enjoyed a renaissance throughout the day.
Adam made a good start in the opening race grabbing ninth place from Stephen Jelley’s similar BMW 330e M Sport at Cobb on lap 11 and then achieved another spot from Dan Lloyd’s Hyundai. When Gordon Shedden’s Honda Civic hit tyre dramas late into the race, Adam gained another place to finish in 7th position.
“We made really good progress in that race,” said Adam “It’s a very different car from yesterday and much more driveable. I looked after the tyres in that race but we are really back in the game now.”
George also had a busy race, battling his way to 14th in what he described as a “Banker race. I found more pace but I just couldn’t get through the traffic. The cars are so even and the hybrid isn’t enough of a benefit to make passing possible. I was strong in some places and the cars ahead stronger in others so it was a bit cat and mouse.”
The two BMWs lined up 7th and 14th on the grid for the second race, but George was clipped on the opening lap which pitched him into a high-speed spin. “I don’t know how I missed the wall…” he mused afterwards. “I wasn’t on my best tyres and there was no damage thankfully.” Ultimately, 20th was his reward with an “All-out assault plan” for race three.
In contrast, Adam, in his 300th BTCC race, made a good start with his rear-wheel drive technology but lost a couple of places to front-wheel drive cars at the end of the lap. The BMW had the advantage off the line, but the front-wheel-drive cars were able to make their tyres work sooner and fought back at the end of the lap. Adam pushed on and fought up to 6th place. “That felt like a faster pace,” he reckoned, “and I had slightly higher tyre degradation as a result. I’m really pleased, though, with how the car has been transformed.”
Race three was set to be a thriller with the reverse grid draw putting Adam in second on the outside of the front row. The BMW launched clear of pole-sitter Jason Plato (Honda Civic) to lead to turn one. And there Adam stayed under race-long pressure from four-times champion Colin Turkington with Ash Sutton’s Ford Focus on their tail as well. Adam had to deal with a safety car situation, triggered by Stephen Jelley’s BMW spinning, and late-race rain. “My wipers weren’t working so as the visibility decreased, I was losing reference points. That’s not ideal when you have Colin behind you.”
Like many drivers who are now learning about the hybrid system, Adam saved his for later in the race. “I didn’t use it for the first five laps and then started using it as the race wore on to try to get away from Colin.”
Adam’s 11th career win was a special one. “I won’t forget this. The way that the whole Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport team has turned the car around is awesome. That late-night yesterday was well worth it.”
George fought his way to 14th, again battling hard to get through the traffic and gaining more valuable experience and points in his maiden season in the championship
The results from Thruxton move Adam into 6th place in the Drivers’ Championship and puts George 11th, with Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport now 4th in the Teams’ Championship. Adam lies 2nd in the Independent Drivers’ standings with George 3rd and Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport 2nd in the Independent Teams’ Championship just four points off the leading squad.
The next stop for the team is at the team’s home circuit of Oulton Park this weekend on June 11/12. Oulton Park is a firm favourite for the team and the fans, and has delivered some fantastic results in the past so we wish the team the best of luck for more points and podiums this weekend.
