A SERIOUS crash ended Morgan's 24-hour hopes at Spa after three hours of racing, when Neil Cunningham suffered a high-speed rear end impact in atrocious conditions on the straight leading into Malmedy.

Cunningham had just taken over from driver Jacques Laffite as the poor Belgium weather had worsened.

Neil Cunningham said: "The car was going well in very heavy rain when I suddenly lost all power. A Porsche was hard on my tail and in all the spray he couldn't see in time to avoid me."

The Morgan Aero 8 span several times before coming to a stop on the grass. Despite Neil's valiant efforts in the pouring rain, he was unable to get going again. Initial damage inspection showed major damage to the rear of the car.

Morgan works team manager David Dowse said: "This is so disappointing for the whole team, who have worked incredibly hard to put the car on the track in great shape. It's especially sad when we've been running so well during recent testing and during practice and qualification at Spa.

"We'll be investigating exactly what happened to cause the power loss as soon as we get back to Malvern."

The team remains determined to continue working towards a Le Mans entry in 2004.

Dowse continued: "This car is really beginning to show what it's capable of, and we have more development to come. We've had a great week at Spa, and it's been a real pleasure working with Jacques Laffite and our sponsors, Banque Baring Brothers Suisse S A. Everyone's been very supportive, and they want to go forward."