Author: Stephen Colbran

Croft Preview

A much-anticipated return to Croft should guarantee thrilling track action, as we reach rounds 14-15 of the 2023 season. And what a thrilling season it’s been thus far.

MINI MIGLIA

Competition for top honours in the 1.3-litre Miglia class has never been as fierce, with half a dozen or more aces all capable of winning on raceday. Three-time champion Aaron Smith holds what looks like a clear advantage at the top of the standings but both Kane Astin and Rupert Deeth are also ex-class champions poised to close the gap should Smith falter, as is former BTCC title winner Andrew Jordan who has an outside chance despite missing a couple of meetings this season.

Dropped scores come into play after this weekend’s double-header, and so the title chase could well head off to the Silverstone finale next month with overall placings decided by number of wins – Smith, Astin and Jordan currently have 3 apiece, while Deeth will be hoping he can unlock the winning combination from his all-new car.


Mini Libre

Starting behind the Miglias is the M7RC’s category for alternative A-Series tuning, and leading the way is former S-Class champ Julian Proctor, one win and half a dozen other podium finishes giving him a 21-point advantage. However, reigning title holder Richard Colburn has been steadily closing the gap in his similar 5-porter with three wins on the trot, while Les Stanton, Phil Harvey and Peter Hills (16v) are all still in with a shout.

MINI SE7EN

The highly experienced Mike Jordan is the man on form among the 1-litre frontrunners, eight victories taking him to within 6 points of series leader Joe Thompson who bagged a brace earlier in the season. However, Ross Billison has shown a decent turn of speed so far and with one win plus several runner-up finishes has moved up into 3rd overall just 8 points shy of Jordan.

Similarly, in 4th Spencer Wanstall is not all that far off having also scored a single victory, as has the 2022 champion Connor O’Brien in 6th who looks to have finally overcome his early season reliability woes. These five are the most likely to be in the hunt this weekend, although Glen Woodbridge is edging ever closer to top spot, while Darren Thomas and Damien Harrington cannot be discounted from being on leading pace.

Mini-7 S-Class

Heading into Croft, Jonathan Page tops the milder-tuned 1275cc category having racked up four class victories in the last half dozen starts, five fastest laps adding extra bonus points too. Add to that, he has had brother Matthew picking up points from his rivals including victory at Brands last month to make it a Page double.

Chris Prior lies second overall however thanks to consistent scoring but has yet to repeat his debut victory of last season, while Frazer Hack in 3rd will be keen to get his title challenge back on track, his four wins so far tempered with a fifth DNF last time out in a first corner melée that also saw dad Andy in the gravel, Hack senior having won earlier in the season. Matt Ayres is the other title contender, his early season 3-win pace-setting blunted with a triple DNS at the overseas Zandvoort trip, although conversely this means he has no points to drop either so simply has to go all out for top scores from the four remaining rounds.

 

LAP RECORDS (2.125-mile circuit)

Miglia:             Joe Thompson                        1:33.326            81.97 mph                        14 April 2019           

Libre:                        Jos Evans                                    1:35.465            80.13 mph                        14 April 2019

Se7en:            Leon Wightman                        1:43.056            74.23 mph                        14 April 2019

S-Class:            Scott Kendall                        1:44.892            72.93mph                        14 April 2019

 

 

MIGLIA & LIBRE INFO:

Thrilling Thruxton

For the third time in five seasons the Mini 7 Racing Club earned an invite onto the BTCC-TOCA package, and over the first weekend in June once again proved to be the star performers supporting the headline act, with Mike and Andrew Jordan both recording double victories.

The Se7ens and S-Class runners were first up on Saturday afternoon and from pole position Mike Jordan soon had his nose in front, thereafter battling mightily to stave off a concerted effort from Connor O’Brien to usurp the position. T

here were early yellow flags after Tom Mills’ almighty head-on into the Club tyrewall on lap 2, then points leader Joe Thompson dropped out of the lead chase leaving Ross Billison to consolidate 3rd ahead of Spencer Wanstall, Damien Harrington and Darren Thomas.

The S-Class result was even closer, Jonathan Page initially claiming the spoils ahead of Frazer Hack and brother Matthew in a last-gasp, last-corner bid, but a route across the chicane grass after a sideways moment later incurred a 0.2s penalty to reverse the top two places.

Arguably the Miglia race a couple of hours later drew even greater plaudits, with a seven-car swarm exchanging places freely throughout.

When it mattered though, Andrew Jordan sneaked ahead into the chicane, pipping Aaron Smith to the chequer by just 0.239s with Kane Astin grabbing the final podium spot ahead of Jeff Smith, Colin Peacock, Phil Bullen-Brown and Rupert Deeth.

In the Libre class, Josh Evans got the better of Richard Colburn when passing the midfield Miglias, Julian Proctor leading home the rest of a strong entry.

Sunday drew not only more of the same weather for cold drinks and ice cream, but also a massive BTCC crowd to perform in front of, and neither Mini race failed to wow them. This time around, Jordan senior had to work his way to the front from row 4 but once there again had O’Brien glued to his tail, unfortunately for the latter a nose-to-tail tap in the chicane holing his rad which cooked the engine.

Billison took up the chase but fell short by just under half-a-second, with Wanstall 3rd. Jonathan Page got his revenge in the S-Class rematch, this time Fraser Hack losing several places ‘at the death’ as Chris Prior, Matt Ayres, Ben Butler and Lee Poolman all joined in the last corner bomb burst. Hack junior had the consolation of a new S-Class lap record, as did the overall Se7en winner.

If that wasn’t excitement enough, the second Miglia encounter pretty much mirrored the previous day’s spellbinding show, albeit with Scott Kendall joining in with the elite pack which sadly lost Astin at 2/3rds distance with a sick motor.

Even with late yellow flags the result was in doubt right up until Jordan junior held the line through the chicane to outdrag Jeff Smith to the finish by 0.143s, Aaron Smith edging Deeth and Kendall to claim 3rd. Evans looked all set for a Libre double before a late gremlin saw him pull off, leaving Colburn in front but Huw Turner had other ideas and gamely snuck past on the last lap as Les Stanton shadowed both in 3rd.

After four superb races on such a prestigious bill, and with applause ringing all around, not to mention huge captive ITV4 audiences, it couldn’t have been a better audition for a further invite in the not too distant future? Next up in early July, the long-awaited return visit overseas to Zandvoort in Holland for Rounds 9, 10 and 11 in the Dunlop Mini Challenges supported by Mini Spares

 

 

Thruxton3-4 June

 

Race 1            Se7en/S-Class            13 laps

1            88            M Jordan                        7

2            1            C O’Brien                        7

3            49            R Billison                        7

9            725            F Hack                        S

10            706            J Page                                    S

11            703            M Page                        S

 

Race 1            Miglia/Libre                        14 laps

1            77            A Jordan                        M

2            21            A Smith                        M

3            11            K Astin                        M

12            474            J Evans                        L

13            219            R Colburn                        L

17            595            J Proctor                        L

 

Race 2            Se7en/S-Class            13 laps

1            88            M Jordan                        7

2            49            R Billison                        7

3            73            S Wanstall                        7

10            706            J Page                                    S

11            714            C Prior                        S

12            758            M Ayres                        S

 

Race 2            Miglia/Libre                        14 laps

1            77            A Jordan                        M

2            46            J Smith                        M

3            21            A Smith                        M

14            123            H Turner                        L

15            219            R Colburn                        L

16            133            L Stanton                        L

 

Words: Rich Williamson

Thruxton BTCC preview

Anyone who has ever watched a Miglia race at Thruxton will tell you to “hold on to your hats!”  With aerodynamics akin to a house brick, a key skill in winning here is the art of flat-out slipstreaming rivals all the way round the far side of Thruxton’s 2.356 miles and plan not to be leading before the last corner, although many have found themselves taking the chequer ahead even after a last-gasp nudge across the kerbs!

Atop the standings of a champion-laden entry is Aaron Smith, having won titles between 2018-20 and so far this season has been 1st at Donington in April and 2nd on three other occasions, while not far behind is 2015 champion Kane Astin who has recorded two maximums, also at Donington and last time out at Snetterton too.

Jeff Smith has made his comeback in an equally competitive tin-top arena, and having secured multi-Mini Se7en titles moved up to Migs in 2021. A pair of victories, at Silverstone in March and last time out at Snetterton, shows he is gradually coming to grips after a challenging first season.

Rupert Deeth is another in the ‘triple title club’ (2014, 18, 22) but is further down the standings having missed Donington. Also expected to be bang on the pace are former BTCC champion (not to mention 2021 Miglia title as well) Andrew Jordan, who won the other Silverstone round back in March, and Historic F1 ace Nick Padmore, a Mini winner here at this same meeting back in 2019.

Battling over their own title from the rear of the Miglia grid are the Mini Libres, and they too will make the ground beneath your feet shake. Les Stanton and Peter Hills top the points but the winners’ spoils have been shared between 2021 champion Richard Colburn, Josh Evans and Steve Baker.

Leading the Mini Se7ens into this weekend is Joe Thompson, an established frontrunner in only a few short seasons. Victories at Silverstone and Donington, added to four other podiums, gives him a clear advantage over his nearest rivals.

Despite a trio of wins, one at Silverstone and both races at Snetterton last month, plus a 2nd and 3rd, Mike Jordan is adrift on points partly because he chose Goodwood Historics over Donington on the Sunday of the double-header weekend in April. In third overall lies Ross Billison, the winner of that Sunday race, and whose front-running nous has steadily risen in recent seasons, so don’t rule him out.

Likewise Spencer Wanstall and Glen Woodbridge who both have the pace to be in the mix at the chequered flag. The always immaculate green car of class rep Darren Thomas has won at this fixture before while reigning class champion Connor O’Brien will be hoping for a change of fortune after a reliability-troubled start to the season.

Starting 10 seconds behind the Se7ens, the feeder ‘Scholarship’ category should provide equally intense action, drifting and kerb-hopping in a similar fashion to their senior siblings.

Having graduated from karts, Matt Ayres is the current points leader, taking a double-victory at Silverstone followed up with a third win at Donington, but was off the pace last time out at Snetterton so expect a return to form this weekend.

Behind Ayres in the standings, Jonathan Page’s second season in the formula has seen him in the mix at most rounds but has yet to repeat his victories of last season, while brother Matthew looks to be equally competitive. Frazer Hack is following in dad Andy’s footsteps – literally – and both won a race apiece at Snetterton last month, indeed a father-and-son 1-2 in the first race there.

Hot on their heels however will no doubt be Michael Winkworth, class titleist in 2021, Winter crown in 2022 and already a race winner at Donington this season. With full grids expected this weekend, spectators won’t have much time to catch their breath!

 

 

LAP RECORDS (2.356-mile circuit)

Miglia:             Nick Padmore                        1:28.646            95.67 mph                        19 May 2019           

Libre:                        Phil Harvey                                    1:29.809            94.44 mph                        19 May 2019

Se7en:            Paul Thompson                        1:37.933            86.60 mph                        21 August 2005

S-Class:            James Bull                                    1:38.447            86.15 mph                        2 June 2018

 

Sensational Snetterton

Four thrilling Mini races were the highlight of the BARC-run Snetterton weekend in mid-May, with winning margins amazingly as small as 15 thousands of a second!

Saturday’s action kicked off with the first of the Mini Se7en and S-Class encounters, and out in front it boiled down to a straight fight between pole man Mike Jordan and series leader Joe Thompson, the tin-top old stager getting the nod by little more than a car’s length from the youthful charger, with Spencer Wanstall not quite able to stay with them but holding off Ross Billison for 3rd.

Meanwhile, the scholarship class produced a Club first, with a Hack father-and-son 1-2, but in the order of senior in front of junior, Andy having clawed his way up from the back row to slip past the erstwhile leaders as they held themselves up battling, Frazer taking the runner-up spot from Michael Winkworth.

Last race of the day saw the Miglia race burst into life from about mid-point, Aaron Smith’s bid for the lead at the hairpin delaying himself and, up to that point, in-control leader Kane Astin. Jeff Smith, Rupert Deeth and Ben Colburn looked set to take the advantage but further contact allowed a recovered Aaron Smith to come through and take the chequered flag ahead of Astin.

Subsequently Astin was promoted to the race win as both Smiths were handed time penalties for ‘gaining an unfair advantage’, Aaron Smith dropping a place but keeping his new fastest lap, and Deeth being elevated to 3rd. Further back, a good battle among the varied Libre runners produced a long overdue debut win for Steve Baker ahead of Josh Evans and Richard Colburn.

Sunday remained dry and in the early start with a reversed grid it took Jordan a few laps to make his way back to the front where he and Thompson then took turns in front, but with Wanstall a lot closer this time. At the chequer it was Jordan who took a double victory, including new fastest lap, although Thompson retained the overall points lead.

The closest finish came in the S-Class, with Frazer Hack pulling off a dramatic last corner move on Winkworth and drag to the line just 0.015s ahead, with Jonathan and Matthew Page right on their bootlids, the latter also breaking the lap record. Matt Ayres retained the class lead despite finishing down the order in both runs.

Rounding out the Mini action was another multi-leader Miglia cracker, Jeff Smith making a classic last-lap, slipstreaming pass into the Esses stick, and holding on through the Bombhole, around Coram and out of Russell to the flag from Aaron Smith and Astin ahead of Phil Bullen-Brown. The Libres again put on some excellent dicing, Evans going one place better than the day before, with Peter Hills taking a fine 2nd from Baker and Julian Proctor.

All eyes will now be on the next rounds of the Dunlop Mini Challenges supported by Mini Spares, which take place at Thruxton in Wiltshire on 3-4 June, and sees a return to the TOCA/BTCC support bill in front of huge crowds and a prime TV audience. It promises to be another brilliant weekend!

 

 

Snetterton 30013-14 May

 

Race 1            Se7en/S-Class            9 laps

1            88            M Jordan                        7

2            80            J Thompson                        7

3            73            S Wanstall                        7

9            723            A Hack                        S

10            725            F Hack                        S

11            728            M Winkworth            S

 

Race 2            Se7en/S-Class            9 laps

1            88            M Jordan                        7

2            80            J Thompson                        7

3            73            S Wanstall                        7

7            725            F Hack                        S

8            728            M Winkworth            S

9            706            J Page                                    S

 

Race 1            Miglia/Libre                        9 laps

1            11            K Astin                        M

2            21            A Smith                        M

3            23            R Deeth                        M

12            115            S Baker                        L

13            474            J Evans                        L

14            219            R Colburn                        L

 

Race 2            Miglia/Libre                        9 laps

1            46            J Smith                        M

2            21            A Smith                        M

3            11            K Astin                        M

13            474            J Evans                        L

14            126            P Hills                                    L

15            115            S Baker                        L

Snetterton – 13/14th May

It’s almost time to go racing once again, as we return to the Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk. We’ll have two qualifying sessions on Saturday morning, two races in the afternoon, then two further races on Sunday.

Almost 60 cars will contest four different racing classes, and we’ll be joined by the MINI Challenge, Caterhams, BMWs, MGs and more.

Mini Miglia
Aaron Smith currently leads the standings in the Mini Miglia championship, with three podiums, a win and fastest lap from four rounds so far. Meanwhile Kane Astin is on fine form, currently P2, and newcomer Nick Paddy in P3. Jeff Smith will be keen to make amends from a tricky Donington Park, while 2022 champion Rupert Deeth is back after a Goodwood clash for the last rounds, and will be keen to score big points. Other potential winners include Phil Bullen-Brown and Ben Colburn.

Mini Libre
Les Stanton currently leads the points, while Peter Hills in P2 showed great pace last time out. If all goes well for Josh Evans, his 8-port equipped bright green machine will be a sure favourite on the long straights.

Mini Se7en
It’s close as ever in our original formula, with Joe Thompson currently out in front of Ross Billison, a winner of the last round at Donington, and Mike Jordan in P3. 2022 champion Connor O’Brien will no doubt be in the mix after a difficult start to the season, while Spencer Wanstall has shown he’s well on the pace with a fastest lap in round 1.

Glen Woodbridge and Darren Thomas have also shown a real turn of speed and could challenge for the top spots.

Mini Se7en S-Class
Boasting some of the largest grids in recent times, our entry-level series is as competitive as ever. Matt Ayres is the man to beat so far, with three wins from four, although Michael Winkworth is back, and as quick as ever before. Jonathon Page had a difficult time at Donington and will looking for podiums, maybe a win.

If you’d like to join us (why would you not?!), tickets can be found at the following link: Snetterton tickets

Timetable (click the image to download)

Live feed

Below you will find information and links to this coming weekend’s live stream, which are now set up and ready to go.

Facebook

Sunday | Stream starts at 09:30 – https://www.facebook.com/events/1760783214337419/?ref=newsfeed

YouTube

Saturday | Stream starts at 13:00 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuDdyTT1jnk
Sunday | Stream starts at 09:30 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXpDbvhvJG0

Grand Prix Gladiators

The full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit played host to the opening rounds in the Mini racing calendar on 18-19 March, with packed grids on both days and action right throughout the field.

With points on offer for both the main National and Winter Challenges, a highly competitive 57-car entry turned out for this BRSCC-run meeting on the 3.6604-mile track.

In Saturday afternoon’s opener the watching audience – both trackside and via livestream – were treated to a pulsating 7-car Miglia battle for overall honours, with the final nod in the top 1.3-litre class going to Jeff Smith by a narrow margin from Nick Padmore, while Richard Colburn held off Peter Hills in the up-to-1400cc Libre category.

In the newly tweaked 1000cc Se7ens, it came down to a straight fight between Mike Jordan and Spencer Wanstall. The former triumphed although the latter established a new lap record, likewise Matt Ayres having enough in hand over Frazer Hack to secure S-Class spoils, 3rd-in-class Jonathan Page also lowering the 1275cc lap record.

Sunday morning was colder and damper which led to crucial tyre choices. Those opting for wets seeing their gamble pay off, both Andrew Jordan and Aaron Smith able to pull away in the early stages as their slick-shod rivals struggled for grip on a track that barely dried over the duration.

Their duel was maintained throughout to a grandstand finish and just 0.360s the difference, while Richard Colburn reeled off a Libre double victory well among the top Miglia runners.

Joe Thompson was able to stay with the lead Se7en battle this time around, and manoeuvered himself into a winning position on the last lap as Mike Jordan slithered wide and Spencer Wanstall was delayed by a spinner.

Not far behind this trio, an excellent drive by Matt Ayres not only secured a second S-Class victory but he also remained the only unlapped car in his category, Andy Hack and Jonathan Page completing the class podium.

Another noteworthy effort came from Glen Woodbridge whose Se7en had been damaged beyond repair by a circuit recovery truck in the first race, but who was able to finish 7th in class in the second race thanks to the selfless loan of dad Paul’s own car after agreement from his fellow club racers.

Mid-April sees the next stage in the Dunlop Mini Challenges supported by Mini Spares, with a visit to Donington Park in the East Midlands on 15-16 April.

 

 

 

 

 

Seats and harnesses – Zandvoort update

We return to Zandvoort on 14-16 July, and it’s going to be an unforgettable weekend of Mini racing action.

To clarify the seat requirements for the race weekend at Zandvoort this year, the following information will apply;

Seats

The seat must be FIA homologated and should have a label displaying the homologation number and, either a date of manufacture or a “not valid after” date. The three current seat standards are: 8855-1999, 8862-2009 and 8855-2021

The requirement is that the seat must be no more than 10 years old, so if your seat has the date of manufacture displayed then just add 10 years onto that date and make sure your seat is within that 10 years.

If your seat has a “not valid after” date displayed then take five years off, giving you the manufacture date, and then add 10 years back on. It may be necessary to provide evidence of this at the circuit.

Harnesses

With regards harnesses, the current standard is 8853-2016, the “not valid after” date displayed on the label can be extended for five years.

The older standard, 8853-1998 will expire on the date shown on the label.

Provisional 2022 Champions Crowned

Congratulations to our provisional 2022 champions! After a hard-fought 16-round season from March to October, for the majority of titles, it went down to the very last weekend at Silverstone.

Our championship finishers;

Mini Miglia

1st – Rupert Deeth, 246 points

2nd – Aaron Smith, 245 points

3rd – Andrew Jordan, 232 points

Mini Libre

1st – Richard Colburn, 102 points

2nd – Dan Lewis, 79 points

3rd – Les Stanton, 77 points

 

Mini Se7en

1st – Connor O’Brien, 260 points

2nd – Mike Jordan, 238 points

3rd – Joe Thompson, 222 points

 

Mini Se7en S-Class

1st – Damien Harrington, 243 points

2nd – Matt Ayes, 241 points

3rd – Frazer Hack, 232 points

Winter Series – Miglia

1st – Rupert Deeth, 97 points

2nd – Jeff Smith, 90 points

3rd – Colin Peacock, 82 points

 

Winter Series – Libre

1st – Dan Lewis, 35 points

2nd – Huw Turner, 35 points

3rd – Andy Sh0re, 24 points

 

Winter Series – Se7en

1st – Connor O’Brien, 101 points

2nd – Tina Cooper, 84 points

3rd – Jordan Sims, 81 points

Winter Series – Se7en S-Class

1st – Michael Winkworth, 104 points

2nd – Matt Ayres, 93 points

3rd – Frazer Hack, 90 points