Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Morgan's famous Le Mans class win, the British company teamed up with French squad Oak Racing for a return to the legendary endurance race. As per the agreement, Oak Racing's existing LMP2 prototype would be fielded as Morgans from the start of the anniversary year by Oak Racing themselves and Conquest Endurance in the United States.
Virtually identical to the cars fielded by Oak in 2011, the Morgan LMP2 was again based on the Pescarolo 01 design that dates back to 2007. Like most contemporary Le Mans Prototypes, the Oak/Pescarolo/Morgan is built around a carbon fibre monocoque with double wishbone and push-rod suspension on all four corners. Over the years, the aerodynamics have evolved and at the start of the 2012, all new, more upright headlights were introduced.
At the Morgan LMP2's debut the engine of choice was the Judd HK V8. As per the LMP2 regulations, this was based on a production engine, in this case the BMW M3 V8. Among the numerous modifications were a reduction in displacement with an eye on getting a wider restrictor. The engine proved not particularly reliable during the second half of the season, both teams switched to the dominant Nissan V8, developed by Zytek and Nismo.
The Morgan LMP2 debuted at the Sebring 12 Hours where the Oak Racing entered example finished an impressive fifth overall and second in class. At the Le Mans test, the first Nissan-engined Morgan immediately showed its potential by clocking the fastest LMP2 time. Issues in the race meant that the car had to settle for 14th overall. Victories did come with the Nissan engined Oak car winning the Donnington 6 Hours and Conquest clinching an ALMS class win.
For 2013, the Oak Racing and Morgan partnership was renewed, and in addition to the Oak Racing team itself, Morand Racing (Judd engined) and Chinese newcomer KCMG also fielded Morgan LMP2s. No fewer than five Morgan LMP2s will line up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Virtually identical to the cars fielded by Oak in 2011, the Morgan LMP2 was again based on the Pescarolo 01 design that dates back to 2007. Like most contemporary Le Mans Prototypes, the Oak/Pescarolo/Morgan is built around a carbon fibre monocoque with double wishbone and push-rod suspension on all four corners. Over the years, the aerodynamics have evolved and at the start of the 2012, all new, more upright headlights were introduced.
At the Morgan LMP2's debut the engine of choice was the Judd HK V8. As per the LMP2 regulations, this was based on a production engine, in this case the BMW M3 V8. Among the numerous modifications were a reduction in displacement with an eye on getting a wider restrictor. The engine proved not particularly reliable during the second half of the season, both teams switched to the dominant Nissan V8, developed by Zytek and Nismo.
The Morgan LMP2 debuted at the Sebring 12 Hours where the Oak Racing entered example finished an impressive fifth overall and second in class. At the Le Mans test, the first Nissan-engined Morgan immediately showed its potential by clocking the fastest LMP2 time. Issues in the race meant that the car had to settle for 14th overall. Victories did come with the Nissan engined Oak car winning the Donnington 6 Hours and Conquest clinching an ALMS class win.
For 2013, the Oak Racing and Morgan partnership was renewed, and in addition to the Oak Racing team itself, Morand Racing (Judd engined) and Chinese newcomer KCMG also fielded Morgan LMP2s. No fewer than five Morgan LMP2s will line up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
