Motorsport provides an arena for Morris Lubricants to showcase the capabilities of their high-performance lubricants in an unforgiving, high-pressure environment. Tried, tested and endorsed by trailblazing motorsport professionals, including world record breaker Guy Martin, the range includes engine and transmission oil, brake fluid and coolant, all of which have been specifically formulated – a process which can take up to five years – to withstand extreme and demanding operating conditions.
The 2021 season marked another exciting chapter in the successful partnership between Morris Lubricants and racing ambassador Lydia Walmsley - who proves that hard work and talent pay off. Since becoming an ambassador for Morris Lubricants four years ago, Lydia has risen up the Mini Challenge Championship ranks and signed off her debut season racing in the John Cooper Works Class as part of BTC Racing with a top-10 finish. “To have similar lap times as drivers who have won races and been championship contenders is pretty special,” says Lydia. “I think it’s something we can all be proud of.”
Demonstrating great determination and courage Lydia has flourished behind the wheel of her 2.0-litre turbocharged John Cooper Works Mini. The vehicle is twice as powerful as the Cooper she previously raced and because of its “unpredictable” and “twitchy” characteristics, it has invited her to explore new psychological and physical limits as a driver.
“At first it was quite intimidating,” says the Morris Lubricants ambassador, who experienced thumb and wrist strain as a consequence of her initial unease. “I was hanging on for dear life and wasn’t relaxing my muscles like I should have been, it all felt very alien and was mentally tiring, but I’m comfortable in the car now and we’re working well together.”
Studying data generated by sensors on her JCW, as well as reviewing footage taken externally, has been key to this progression because it's enabled the track-side BTC Racing team to make pre-race changes to configuration and empowered Lydia to fine-tune her performance and race strategy. “The benefit of being in such a big team is all the resources and knowledge they have, which I’ve not been able to access before. It’s certainly been unusual coming into the pitlane and seeing 10-15 people waiting, rather than just my dad, but it’s fantastic to have so much support.”
Labelling the top speed, she’s reached in her JCW as “classified” information, Lydia’s success this year has been measured by more than lap times and chequered flags. “This season was about gaining experience as it was such a competitive field,” she says. “The first races were daunting, I didn’t know what to expect, but I believe I’ve progressed steadily every weekend and by the end of the year I felt like I deserved to be on the grid. It’s been a challenge, but it’s one that I’ve enjoyed.”
Returning to Knockhill, the circuit Lydia had been most apprehensive about tackling, proved to be a tough but character-building weekend. At the end of start-finish straight, as she headed into the track’s first corner, Lydia saw the car ahead of her spin out – the collision was unavoidable. Neither driver was hurt, but Lydia’s JCW Mini sustained damage significant enough to force her to retire – her first DNF in three years.
“I was caught, with nowhere to go,” explains Lydia. “Although my amazing team worked through the night, unfortunately technical issues meant I wasn’t able to compete on day two and so I had to frustratingly watch from the sidelines.”
With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, and following Motorsport UK’s ‘Getting Back on Track’ guidance, Lydia welcomed members of the Morris Lubricants team and their customers into the BTC paddock at circuits across the country.
Hosting familiar faces and making new friends beneath the awning, she says, is one of the most rewarding aspects of her role as a Morris Lubricants brand ambassador because it allows her the opportunity to give people a behind the scenes insight into a BTCC event, as well as say thanks to those who work directly for Morris Lubricants, and those who support the company with their business.
“Many of Morris’ customers are new to the world of live motorsport and don’t know what to expect, but after showing them around the garages and seeing the cars in action, they became hooked,” reveals Lydia. “It’s nice that their day with BTC Racing is so good that they became fans within a couple of hours. We must make a good impression on the customers as many came to the next rounds for another day with us, they were so enthusiastic.”
Off-track, Lydia has celebrated her fourth year with Morris Lubricants, which began with a photo shoot at the company’s Shrewsbury headquarters – a facility that she describes as “amazing” – to showcase the JCW Mini and its livery. “It was special showing Morris Lubricants’ employees around the car that I had been talking about since I first began my partnership with the lubricants manufacturer back in 2018.”
To gain a deeper understanding of the technical support Morris Lubricants offers customers, Lydia embraced the opportunity to learn from Technology Manager Adrian Hill, BSc. “From their extensive laboratory, which was full of fascinating equipment, to the high-tech factory, with all the blending machines and filling lines, you can really see the amount of effort that goes into every bottle of Morris Lubricants product,” says Lydia. “This attention to detail makes their products stand out, and this is reflected in the level of technical support they provide – Morris Lubricants wants to make sure people choose the correct oil that’s fit for the purpose it’s intended. You can see this with the amount of effort they put into supporting their customers”
On her latest visit to Shrewsbury Lydia filmed a series of fan Q&A sessions which is set to be released on the Morris Lubricants website and social media channels soon.
Motivated and keen to move up a gear next season as part of the “Graduate class” of drivers in their second year of the championship, Lydia has already set out her 2022 goals: “to compete continuously in the top 10, and potentially secure podium places.”