Morris Lubricants is proven in its ability to adapt, evolve and identify opportunities in any market. Providing oils, lubricants and greases for all industries, the company continues to manufacture an extensive range of innovative, tried-and-tested products that cater to the specific requirements associated with everything from road cars with the latest hybrid technology to race cars.
In motorsport, shock load and heat are “two of the biggest challenges for engines and transmissions” explains Morris Lubricants’ Technology Manager Adrian Hill. The chemistry involved in formulating conventional lubricants for conventional vehicles is developed through extensive laboratory and field testing, but “as we move into the motorsport arena, the demands get tougher because engines and transmission systems are pushed beyond normal requirements,” he says. “The complexity of the chemistry is taken to the next level so that the lubricant can cope with spikes of high intensity, which can be short lived or prolonged. In either case, reliability is essential.”
Now in her fifth year of partnership with Morris Lubricants, when ambassador Lydia isn’t pushing flat out for a top-10 finish, she’s working alongside Adrian to stay up to date with how the company is operating at the cutting edge of today’s competitive industry as well as understand the anatomy of its lubricants. “I’ve learnt a lot with the Morris Lubricants Training Academy, particularly how different products can impact performance on the track,” says Lydia, who has returned to the JCW Championship for a second season of racing as part of an independent team. “Adrian and the technicians are so knowledgeable, they helped us a lot in our first years of circuit racing in the Cooper car, and it’s amazing that customers have access to that expertise too.”
In the workshop, Lydia’s team including dad, Mike Walmsley, and friend Dave Barber, provide technical and mechanical knowhow to help her win championships. Preparing, repairing and servicing her JCW Mini so that she’s able to turn wheels rather than kick her heels during championship weekends, “they make sure I’m ready and at the circuit, they run the car together,” she says. “It’s a big job, even when everything goes smoothly, so it’s quite impressive to be in a highly competitive championship as privateers against teams with much bigger outfits and budgets. Their to-do list includes servicing the JCW in order to maintain performance of the components and ensure longevity of their life is achieved, and in motorsport, it also assists in monitoring any issues and helps us to prevent breakdowns on track.”
With an exciting campaign ahead, in a car that was acquired only ten days before her first round of the season, twenty-year-old Lydia has welcomed a new Mini Challenge regulation that has the potential to create an even fiercer level of competition. “The new specification of tyre we have to run on has been a turning point in setup as it has adjusted the way the car responds,” she explains. “The new tyre is quicker and allows you to corner at higher speeds so it has been something that we have had to get used to (both in setup and driving technique) but with time, we are gradually getting closer to where we need to be.”
For Lydia, being the very best at what she does is as much about accomplishing laps in her car as it is about the theory behind driver fitness and nutrition, and vehicle setup and mechanics. Now in her second and final year of the Motorsport UK ‘Futures’ programme, which identifies, develops and supports talented competitors aged 15-24 who demonstrate exceptional potential to progress, Lydia is on track to reach great heights in motorsport.
Complimentary to this career-enhancing course, the Morris Lubricants ambassador commentated on both the Mini Challenge and Ginetta GT5 races at Thruxton with the ITV Sport team, alongside Richard John Neil, for the second consecutive season. “It’s a fantastic experience to see how a high-profile TV production team works and to soak in as much information as possible. Every experience I can gain will help in the promotion of myself as well as my partners and I hope to utilise the skills I learn in the future.”
Reflecting on the progress Lydia has made during her half decade relationship with Morris Lubricants, Adrian concludes: “Lydia has proven her determination on the track and by her visible enthusiasm to all aspects of motorsport, including the importance of making the correct lubricant choice. She has a clear understanding that if you want to succeed, compromise is not an option.”
Available to answer all customer oil and lubricants queries, the technical and customer services teams can be contacted on the phone at 01743 232200, via email at technicalhelpdesk@morris-lubricants.co.uk, or at morrislubricants.co.uk. To find out what oil you need, use the Morris Lubricants’ WhatOil? tool, here http://www.whatoildoineed.com/