morgan-delivers-wix-win-final-btcc-round-year
Adam Morgan repaid his title sponsors WIX Filtration with a superb race two win at the final round of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch, a race considered by many to be the race of the year. The massive crowd were on their feet throughout an enthralling classic encounter as Morgan became the first man in history to take a Mercedes Benz to outright victory in his WIX Racing A Class.
Adam arrived at the venue quietly confident of being able to finish his season on a high. In mixed challenging conditions he equalled his best qualifying result of the season in fifth place. ”That was one tricky qualifying session” said Adam “It has rained on and off all day and it was still green under the trees out the back of the GP circuit, the car was again set up perfectly but, it was on the edge through the slippery bits. I am happy with another third row start and if I can keep out of trouble during the early laps tomorrow, it could present me with the perfect opportunity to show exactly what the Mercedes A Class is capable of”
Mindful of his Championship position and importance of collecting valuable points Adam lined up for race 1. An uncharacteristic slow start saw him slot into 7th position. Adam was however, able to miss carnage at the top of Paddock Hill bend caused by a spinning Alain Menu and after yet another solid controlled performance Adam, who hasn’t collected a single penalty fine or been before the race stewards all year, brought the WIX Filtration Mercedes A-Class home in a comfortable 5th position.
RACE TWO!!! More than happy with the handling and performance of the WIX Racing A-Class, Adam was confident that he could put the car on the podium. Adam produced another of his perfect starts and after Jason Plato made contact with the newly crowned BTCC Champion Colin Turkington Adam moved into 4th position. Adam and his car were working in perfect harmony, he overtook both of the factory MG’s in separate moves going into the druids corner and on lap 15, to the an audible cheer from the massive crowd, he blasted past the BMW of Rob Collard at Paddock Hill bend to take the lead. Adam lost control of the car through the rapid Dingle Dell section of the circuit and although he managed to save the car from a very high speed spin he lost his position to Jason Plato. Adam then got his head down and again began reeling in Plato but ran out of laps and was unable to retake the lead. Over the moon with his first top three finish of the year, Adam headed to the podium to celebrate. Contact between Plato and new Champion Colin Turkington was brought to the race safety and race stewards and the team, that run Turkington WSR, appealed to drop Plato 10 places for his poor driving standards. WSR’s appeal was successful and Adam Morgan became the 11th different winner of the season in the brand new WIX Filters Mercedes Benz A Class. “I was told only moments before getting into my car for race 3 that I had won” Beaming Adam continued “I always knew that this baby could win races, it’s been mega to drive all year. Paul Ridgway and the team deserve this, they are wholly responsible for creating this car and do a fantastic job every single day, I couldn’t wish for better support than I receive. I should also mention my Dad Russell taking his financial input out of the equation which is substantial, he is the one who makes everything tick, he is always first in and last out of the workshop and I definitely wouldn’t be here without him”! While I am on the subject of thanking people WIX my title sponsor and in no particular order, Fuchs Lubricants, MAC Tools, FAI, Ciceley Commercial Vehicles, Angel Springs water coolers, Finch Signs, Ben, Gary and Des have put time, money and faith in me and the team and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you to everybody that is a part of this brilliant team”
Adam started race 3 from 10th on the grid and in torrential rain and with darkness falling it was important that he brought the car home safely to secure a fantastic 10th place in the final championship positions. Adam has finished in the top 10 on 16 occasions this year, a massive team achievement in the new Mercedes Benz A-Class and he has had fastest laps at both Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP. Adam finished 6th in the Independents Championship, WIX Racing finished 5th in the Independents Team Championship and WIX Racing were 7th in the HIQ Teams Championship. Adam also finished joint 4th in the Jack Sears Trophy with a total of 94 overtakes throughout the 2014 racing season. Adam and the WIX Racing Team were the first new and single car entry to finish in all of the above categories
Adam “Yep that’ll do us for this year, I am chuffed to bits with everything, a top ten finish in the Championship and a podium or two was our aim, an outright win has just been the icing on the cake, I couldn’t have asked for more. The car is just sensational I wish there were more races left. Next year can’t come soon enough for us all. We had always planned to have a little party tonight to thank the team and Sponsors for their magnificent efforts. I think it’s probably going to be a memorable night now! Thank you again to every single person involved in Ciceley Motorsport”
Norman Burgess Commercial & Marketing Manager “What a way to end the year and what can I say about our Adam, it’s a privilege and pleasure to work alongside him and the Morgan Family, it’s been by far my most enjoyable year in Motorsport. A few passionate northerners and friends have taken on the big boys and given an excellent account of ourselves. WIX Filters have been an amazing addition to the team and I can confirm that we are proud to have secured them as Title Sponsors for next year. The relationship has just gone from strength to strength in fact all but one of the teams sponsors have already pledged continued support for 2015 and the one that hasn’t are holding their marketing board meeting next week so I am hopeful that they will continue to grow with us. Norman continued “I am a little surprised by the reaction to Adams win it was always going to come. Adam has been on fire since Snetterton his qualifying and race pace has been there week in week out. The Hospitality side of the team has been such fun; we have loved every minute of it, as have the VIP guests. We have received countless emails about the extremely high levels of service, attention to detail and overall enjoyment of the day, especially the grid walks. Next year’s plans will be released in due course but, we won’t keep you in the dark, regular press releases will be sent as soon as we are able to confirm significant improvements or expansion within the team. Thank you so much for your support and belief in the team….. Next year can’t come quick enough for us all at WIX Racing. Paul Ridgway, the teams gifted engineer has created a beautiful car that handles perfectly, he has put together an amazing garage team and already has an extensive winter test schedule planned and booked”
The future is bright and it is Yellow and Black!!!