Dave Morgan – F Atlantic and F3 | The “forgotten” drivers of F1

1968 – 15th April 1968 – Druids Corner, Brands Hatch – Lombank Championship Race for Formula 3 Cars – No. 45 with Norman Foulds. Photo and info Derek Buckett

1969 F Ford Zandvoort with Emerson Fittipaldi #11

Dave Morgan gets into his March 703. You may remember a BBC program ‘100 great sporting moments’ featuring a 1 litre Formula 3 race from Crystal Palace in 1970 where James Hunt & Dave Morgan crash at the final corner, followed by Hunt jumping out of what’s left of his car, dashing across the track ( through the pack still racing) & thumping Morgan still strapped into his wreck. Dave Morgan lost his licence (briefly) & Autosport letters column were filled with accusing letters, not from the drivers concerned but their respected ‘mums’….of course. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the crash (I was in the paddock on the inside of the corner, with Alan Jones, and reckoned it 50-50, but you may have to take into account there was…er… ‘history’ between the drivers & Dave Morgan. Flash back to the F3 race at Monaco where about 140 cars turned up for the 40 places available in the 2 heats & a final !!! As you may know to get round what is now known as Lowes hairpin you line-up on the right hand side to be able to get enough lock on to swing sharp left, well in the heat most did just that, apart from a white March which came steaming down the inside and clattered into some of the others, yes our hero Dave Morgan, who lost his nose but continued and qualified for the final. Come the final exactly the same thing happened, he carried on and finished 14th. Later that evening in the bar, situated where the hotel is now, Dave was asked about his exploits “Well in the heat I thought I’d reduce the opposition a bit, but in the final, well I’ve got big feet & I hit the brake & the accelerator at the same time…..” Happy days. Photo and story Ric O’Reilly

1970 F3 Crystal Palace. Photo Tony Galagher

1970 Crystal Palace 1970 – This battle ended in tears and James Hunt punching Dave Morgan, Morgan received a lengthy ban for dangerous driving. Photo and info Kartpix.net via Chris Walker

1971 Dave Morgan March 713S Brands Hatch 1971 Formula Atlantic. Photo and info Kartpix.net via Chris Walker

1971 Thruxton Forward Trust F3 – Dave Morgan Lotus 69. 13th June 1971 and the Motoring News 100kms Race Meeting. Photo na info Robert Clayson

1974 F Atlantic GP 1974 Meeting. Photo Tim Marshall

1974 Clearways & Southern Organs Trophy, Formula Atlantic race 19th October 1974. John Nicholson (2) Jim Crawford (7) Dave Morgan (13) Ray Mallock (10), Photo and info Graham Etheridge

1974 David Morgan in Ed Reeves B25 F Atlantic Car at Brands Hatch in 1974. Photo/source c/o Ted Waker via Chevron FB group

1974 – 23rd June International Formula Atlantic Mallory Park with #7 Jim Crawford. Photo Alan Cooper

1974 – 23rd June International Formula Atlantic Mallory Park with #7 Jim Crawford. Photo Alan Cooper

1974 23rd June International Formula Atlantic Mallory Park David Morgan – Chevron B25 Ford BDA Nicholson. Photo Alan Cooper

1975 International Trophy, Atlantic race, Dave Morgan #39 with Bertil Roos #X2. Photo and info Paul Kooyman