A team from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Motorsport Engineering department completed the 94th Exeter Trial using fully sustainable fuel, SUSTAIN 100 from Coryton, in the University’s Morgan Plus Four.

Starting at 3.45am at Haynes Museum in Sparkford, with a route of 165miles, the team reached the finish in Kingsteignton, Devon, 12 hours and a number of special tests and sections later.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint Davids has a long history in motorsport, having been the first institution globally to offer a Motorsport Engineering degree programme, currently celebrating its 25^th anniversary.

The donation of a Plus Four (CX Generation) from Morgan Motor Company as a road test vehicle, provided the perfect opportunity for UWTSD to compete in the MCC (Motor Cycling Club) long distance trial.

UWTSD is currently conducting research into sustainable fuels, completing the entire trial on 100% sustainable fuel (SUSTAIN 100) provided by Coryton, which required no modification to the vehicle’s BMW B48 powertrain.

Motorsport programme director and Senior Lecturer Tim Tudor said, “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to showcase our Morgan Plus Four and use of sustainable fuel during this historic motorsport event, one where Morgan has a long running history.

“The Plus Four was comfortable and a pleasure to drive, and we finished with no problems, with the SUSTAIN fuel running faultlessly. We used approximately 30 litres during the trial itself and hopefully this demonstrates our commitment to sustainable motorsport at the University.”

The University has actively competed in motorsport throughout its history including running a Darrian in the British GT championship, Formula Renaults in Monoposto and more recently two MCR Sports Prototypes in the Sports 2000 series, working with manufacture MCR Racing Cars to develop the cars.

Thanks to the vision of Roger Dowden, and guidance from the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), the course has made graduates valuable assets in the competitive world of motorsports and automotive engineering, with many working as race engineers, aerodynamicists, data analysts or in managerial positions for racing teams. University alumni have also gone on to companies including Morgan Motor Company, McLaren, Gordon Murray Automotive, Arc, Bentley, Ford, and Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Further student projects are in the pipeline at the University to develop it’s Plus Four into a track vehicle for Sprints and Hill Climbs, providing another hands-on motorsport opportunity to support student studies and projects.