THE Morgan Works Race Team finished the inaugural event of the European Le Mans Series at Le Mans Bugatti Circuit in a highly creditable 8th in class position among a strong field of 18 entries in the GT Class.

The result sends a loud and clear signal that the Works Team, which has endured major technical and funding hurdles during 2003, is now a serious contender at the highest level of international endurance GT racing - a formula that is growing fast and becoming a flagship series in the motorsport arena.

Team Manager David Dowse said: "It was a very tough race, on a challenging circuit, and with a field that included the best GT cars in the world. The Aero 8 ran absolutely faultlessly for six hours in gruelling conditions.

"Our drivers Neil Cunningham and Adam Sharpe did a really professional job and the pit crew, which is just as important as the car and drivers in endurance racing, were awesome. We came here to prove that we are a credible force, and I think we have done that in no uncertain terms."

Attention turns immediately to Bathurst in Australia, where a privately-entered, works-supported Morgan Aero 8 Cup Class car, fresh from a second place in the British GT Championship, lines up for a 24-hour race on November 22.

The Works Team will then spend the winter in development and testing for its 2004 campaign, which will kick off at Sebring in the USA and will hopefully culminate in June at the world's most prestigious motor race - the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.

Supporters can follow the Works Team's progress at www.morganworks.com.