Adam Morgan happy with Donington test

Adam Morgan and the Ciceley Motorsport-run WIX Racing team were bang on the pace as the new Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season roared into life with the annual media launch and test at Donington Park today.

The event marked the first opportunity for the assembled media, and fans who attended the afternoon test session, to see the all-new Mercedes A-Class to be campaigned by the team this season; which was resplendent in it’s striking WIX Racing livery for the first time.

As the first Mercedes to appear in the series for more than 20 years, the official reveal of the A-Class - which has been designed and built in-house by the Lancashire-based team - was one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the season launch, where a bumper grid of 31 cars was confirmed for the year ahead.

With four hours of testing during the afternoon, Adam and the team were keen to try and build on the impressive progress made in the first tests with the car at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

On the pace from the outset, Adam sat fourth on the timesheets before rain started to fall mid-way through the session. With the conditions preventing teams making any further improvement, the 25-year-old ended the only day of official testing just two-tenths of a second off the pace, with further running now planned prior to the season opener at Brands Hatch on the last weekend of March.

Adam Morgan, Driver: “I’m feeling quietly confident about what we can achieve this season with the new Mercedes. We’ve only done a few tests, but have already shown some good pace and I think we are in a good position when you consider the limited running we’ve completed.

“The A-Class is absolutely unbelievable. Paul and the boys have produced the best car that I’ve driven and it keeps surprising me with how good it is. There have been no real problems, and the speed we have shown so far is up there with the big boys.

“This is a big season for us, and the response we have had from everyone to the new WIX Racing Mercedes is fantastic. Everything has been positive and I can’t wait to go racing and show what the car is capable of.”

Paul Ridgeway, Chief Engineer:

“I can’t be disappointed in any way with what we have achieved so far. We’ve had very few technical problems, which is pleasing, and everything has pretty much gone to plan. The team has done a fantastic job in putting the car together and Adam has done a great job behind the wheel, so it looks good for the season ahead.

“It’s fair to say that the performance of the Mercedes so far has exceeded my expectations, but that is what we strive for as a team. Of course we don’t know where we really stand until we get to Brands Hatch and everyone shows their hand, but we’re in a good position.”

Ciceley Motorsport