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DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPARES

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2015 Issue 7Official Mini Se7en Racing Club Newsletter

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Pit & Paddock September 2015 Issue 7

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Preview: rounds 13&14 silverstone sePtember 19-20, 2015WORDS:RichardWilliamson

2015

MINI SE7EN & S CLASSIt couldn’t be closer at the top of the 1.0-litre table, with no less than four drivers in contention for the coveted Bob Fox Trophy heading

into the final two rounds. Just out in front by two points lies thrice former champion, Midlander Paul Spark who has stealthily been collecting the big scores, including

The mini seven racing Club chalks up two notable landmarks as it closes its 2015 championship season at silverstone, the first a race debut on the newer international circuit layout, and secondly by celebrating 50 years of racing competition.

LaP ReCORd: to be established for 1.851-mile International circuit

Mini se7en RecoRds

SPONSORS


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a pair of wins at Castle Combe back in April and at Snetterton in May. However, last year’s runner-up, Darren Thomas from Gloucestershire has been storming up the table after a few early race problems, adding five more victories to his season opener, and all in the last three meetings to mark him out as form favourite. Meanwhile, on the same score as Thomas, young Welsh hotshoe Ashley Davies has also found a recent run of form, culminating with a first seasonal victory at Oulton last month, and by the incredibly close margin of just 0.030s! The outside bet is another former champion, Max Hunter, the Bedfordshire-based driver having taken a brace of wins earlier in the season, including an amazing last-to-first-in-one-lap at Rockingham

in late May. He has most to do however from 13 points further back. Behind this quartet though expect plenty of front-running challenges from the likes of the experienced Graeme Davis, Gareth Hunt, Lewis Selby and outgoing champion Andrew Deviny, while bubbling under among the ‘newcomers’ are Kieren McDonald, Spencer Wanstall, Ross Billison and Charlie Budd. The budget-build S-Class has already been decided, with onetime Winter Series champion Ian Deviny provisionally un-catchable on points.

So, with two races left to decide the four-way title fight, can we predict a likely outcome? Not a chance, as 50 years of regular down-to-the-wire action has taught us. The eventual champion wouldn’t want it any other way!

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MINI MIGLIA (& INVITATION)

There is a similar multi-driver battle going on in the more powerful

1.3-litre Miglias, although this is for second place overall, as perennial series bridesmaid, Kane Astin from Cambridgeshire has provisionally secured the Peter Collins Trophy a meeting early.

Eight victories, three seconds and a third have left him in an unassailable 40-point lead (after dropped scores), and can head into the final two races with no pressure. Last year’s champion, Rupert Deeth heads the rest, two wins giving him an edge over Dave Drew on the same score, while Sam Summerhayes, Aaron

Smith (one win) and Mark Cowan (one win also) are all potential runners-up overall, depending on scoring permutations - you’ll need a calculator! Truncated seasons have left Dan Wheeler, Colin Peacock, Rob Howard and Niven Burge further back in the standings, but they can all be expected to challenge the leaders, while Paul Clark found a welcome turn of pace last time out at Oulton with a strong fourth place. Look out for his splendid Italian Job-themed bootlid! “Your’e only supposed to blow the ****** doors off!”

There may also be one or two invitation Minis along to bolster the grid too, the best of which will take home a class trophy.

MINI MIGLIa ReCORdS

LaP ReCORd: to be established for 1.851-mile International circuit

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Pit & Paddock may 2014 issue 3

The last two rounds of our Championship are fast approaching as I write another Chairman’s chat.

At the last race meeting, the Mini Festival at Oulton Park, we yet again seem to put on a great show. A pity there was no sign of the FIA Historics at this meeting, but there were plenty of Minis on show in the various paddocks. It was certainly a very hectic meeting for the drivers and mechanics; maybe one day events with two races per formula, is something you would like to air your views at our AGM. Location and date of this, to follow.

Good grid sizes were also evident, with 22 Mini 7 / Mini 7 S Class and 13 Miglias qualifying. It was surprising to see some cars, normally very reliable, having problems after qualifying...... our 2013 and 2014 Mini 7 Champion ~ Andrew Deviny was one example. Also it was ‘sad’ to see the family run car of Gareth Hunt so badly damaged after the second race. Brake failure was given as the reason for making firm contact with Ashley Davies. Saying this, it was also good to see Ashley, one of our younger drivers, standing on the top step of the podium after the first race. I wish a speedy return to all those who suffered race incidents.

In the Miglias, Kane provisionally secured the 2015 Championship. This has now been confirmed, after Steve Prior, MSA Technical Scrutineer, carried out an engine inspection post engine sealing at Oulton Park. Everything was found to adhere to the regulations... so well

done Kane........ well deserved!

Now the excitement of the Mini 7 Championship goes down to the line at Silverstone. It is between triple Champion Paul Spark, Ashley Davies and Darren Thomas. It couldn’t be any closer, with only two points covering these three drivers. In the wings, waiting to pounce is Max Hunter. We all know that Max will not ‘give up’. It should be a cracking final round.

We are also hoping that our final round at Silverstone will be an event to remember, not just from the racing point of view. As it is our 50th season of racing, plans are for a hog roast and live band are in progress. This is thanks to the fantastic generosity of Graeme Davis and Socomec.......... so please make sure you are carrying the decals on your cars. Thank you Graeme, this is greatly appreciated. Final arrangements are being organised, but in principal the hog roast will start at around 19.30 in one of the garages in the Wing on Saturday night. This will be after the fun run, which starts at 18.15 around the GP circuit ~ 3.66 miles. More details of this and the registration form are available on our website. I will be walking around........ my days of

running are over ~ thinks... might put in the folding bike {if allowed}. I wish all the best to Mark Cowan for starting the ball rolling and please, please donate at the hog roast or via the website to the Cystic Fibrosis charity. This is a very worthy cause.

Talking of worthy causes, Amanda Proctor is organising a Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee morning at Silverstone......... if anybody wishes to ‘bake a cake’ or help out serving coffees, please contact Amanda or Val Hunt. Good luck to all who are helping.

See you all at Silverstone

NickNick CookeChairman M7RC

Chairman’s ChatWords of wisdom from the man at the top.

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MINI SE7EN: RACE 1

After a brilliant start to the race, in the glorious sunshine,

Lewis Selby moves up into the lead taking it from Darren Thomas and passing Ashley Davies with a couple of great moves.

Despite a good third place in qualifying Andrew Deviny doesn’t make the starting grid due to clutch issues, but is hopefully back for round 12.

On the second lap Thomas retakes the lead and tries to create a gap, but can’t break free from the front group.

Paul Spark now moving up the field into 4th place in front of Gareth Hunt in 5th and Charlie Budd having a good run in 6th place, from 8th, keeping Max Hunter at bay behind him. But all the cars are together with not much space between them at all, leaving no room for error.

Thomas moving to a 1-second lead but still with

a train of cars following him behind, with Graeme Davis moving up into position behind Hunt while C Budd drops down back to 8th place letting Hunter past him to move up the field.

The front three cars of Thomas, Selby and Davies break away slightly with half a car between each of them. Selby manages to get up alongside Thomas but there’s just no room to get by, then a lap later Selby pulls off track to a halt at the barrier with a broken diff. He was looking on good form before that.

This now gives Davies the room he needed to catch up with Thomas, now 2-seconds in front, and also bumps Spark up into 3rd place.

Davies soon has the lead of Thomas down to nothing and is putting some real pressure on the leader all the way around. Taking and then losing the lead with a great bumper-to-bumper battle

going on until the end.Hunter and Davis are

fighting behind for 4th place while Spark has room on either side of him in 3rd.

In midfield Leon Wightman, Kieren McDonald and Steve Trench are all together looking to push infront of each other, but Trench stops halfway round the track with difficulties leaving the two together.

Davies is really pushing hard on the last lap, running side-by-side with Thomas he moves past at the chicane for first place and manages to hold the lead for a photo finish and a 0.03-second victory! The first of the season for him and well deserved.

WORDS:TomBonningtonPHOTOS:www.mbracephotography.co.uk


RaceReportRound 11Oulton ParkAugust 8, 2015

PIPPEd AT ThE POSTAS dAVIES ShIMMyS PAST

MINISE7ENROUND11RESULT

1 Ashley Davies 2 Darren Thomas3 Paul Spark4 Graeme Davis5 Max Hunter

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MINI MIGLIA: RACE 1

Rupert Deeth starting in pole position and

looking to take his third victory of the season as he won here last year, but Kane Astin only needs to finish once in 7th place to take the championship for 2015 with four races left!

The front three of Deeth, Astin and Aaron Smith get away well and make a lead from 4th placed Rob Howard, while Sam Summerhayes has a great start moving into 6th place already.

The lead group increases to five now as Howard and Summerhayes make progress, with Paul Clark a second behind.

Mark Sims slows down and eventually rolls back into the pit lane to a halt with a problem.

Deeth is looking well out in front with Astin and Smith battling for 2nd place behind while reeling in Deeth at the same time. Astin manages to get around Deeth and shakes off Smith who also tries to get around Deeth, but there’s just no room this lap.

Mark Cowan is having a hard time from Howard but is defending really well and shakes off several advances.

Astin is starting to open up a gap now from Deeth by 3 car lengths and Smith moves on the inside line and slips by Deeth to take 2nd place from him and the fastest lap.

Clark slows down and drops to the back of the grid losing his grip from the tyres in the hot sunshine.

Astin takes the win and provisionally the championship very comfortably, while behind it’s a close battle from 2nd to 9th place with just half a car between each, but Smith holds on for 2nd place followed by Deeth.

ASTIN TAkES ThE wIN ANd ThE ChAMPIONShIP

MINIMIGLIAROUND11RESULT

1 Kane Astin 2 Aaron Smith3 Rupert Deeth4 Mark Cowan5 Dave Drew




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ThOMAS TRIuMPhS AS SMITh PERfORMS dOubLE TuMbLEMINI SE7EN: RACE 2

Darren Thomas takes the pole from Ashley

Davies with Graeme Davis lining up in third on the grid. The lead three make a great getaway from the lights and run three-wide into the first corner.

Gareth Hunt makes an even better start and jumps into 3rd place from 5th, with the top five bunched up together. Ross Billison spins out halfway down the field and has to wait for the traffic to die down before returning to the race half a lap behind now.

Thomas is back out in front leading the race, which has often been the case the past few races now - he’s on great form, followed by Davis and Paul Spark who collides at the chicane with Hunt. Spark is forced sideways and then also hits Davis, causing damage to Spark’s driver’s-side wing

which is now hanging on by a thread for the next lap or two - not before streaming various parts off around the track.

Thomas has a good 2-second lead but is being chased by six cars all bumper-to-bumper and all looking for a gap.

Spark challenges Davis on the outside for 2nd place but runs onto the grass and close to the track limits so has to be careful but makes it through, while Davies and Hunt are side-by-side now for 4th place - neither willing to give it up.

Kieren McDonald is moving in on Max Hunter for 6th position as the top seven group back up, with Spark reducing the gap on Thomas. Davis runs too hot into the final corner while chasing Spark and runs wide out into the grass. He avoids the gravel but loses pace, giving Hunt time to catch him up, but not pass, as they touch together. The rub causes Hunt to drop

to 4th and Davis down to 6th place but both are still in the race and Hunt is now trying behind Davies for 3rd place while all the group gain time on Thomas out in front.

Adam Smith in the middle of the grid loses control at the chicane on Hislop’s Corner and double barrel-rolls into the barriers. Luckily he gets out of the car unharmed. The same can’t be said for the Mini though, and where it ended up means the red flag is brought out and the race ended early. Thomas takes the win followed by Spark and then Davies in third.

MINISE7ENROUND12RESULT

1 Darren Thomas 2 Paul Spark3 Ashley Davies4 Gareth Hunt5 Max Hunter



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MINI MIGLIA: RACE 2

Kane Astin on pole for the second race.

Aaron Smith has a great start off the line and takes 2nd from Rupert Deeth, while Dave Drew moves up alongside Deeth as well, and manages to squeeze through on the outside line for 3rd place.

Smith is now up close with Astin but can’t get past, running very close all around the circuit side-by-side with no room for either to get clear of the other.

Drew runs wide and goes a little off-track allowing Deeth to retake position with Mark Cowan following through close behind him. While these three battle for 3rd place Smith

and Astin make a lead for themselves with Smith looking around both sides, but still no letting up from Astin.

Cowan moves around Paul Clark at the hairpin, taking him by surprise, and throwing Drew off the race pace momentarily, giving Peacock the chance to pass and he takes it. A group of five now very close together of Peacock, Clark, Sam Summerhayes and Rob Howard. There’s still no room to breathe with the front nine cars stringed together.

Deeth catches up and gets side-by-side with Smith, swaying across the track for any chance to pass. Unfortunately they force each other off at the hairpin, leaving them on the sidelines from a

hard battle but bringing out the safety car. After regrouping the whole grid up the safety car returns to the pits leaving just one final shootout lap for the victory.

Astin, Drew, Clark and Cowan all charge from the restart with Astin impressively holding the lead the whole race for a great win. Drew just beats Cowan to 2nd place from the short 1 lap chase.

MINIMIGLIAROUND12RESULT

1 Kane Astin2 Dave Drew 3 Mark Cowan4 Paul Clark5 Sam Summerhayes


SPRINT TO ThE fINISh SEES ASTIN wIN AGAIN



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Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total Best 11

1 11 Kane ASTIN 18 20 19 19 20 20 20 20 19 20 20 20 217 235

2 1 Rupert DEETH 20 13 20 17 1 17 18 18 17 18 18 1 177 178

3 29 Dave DREW 13 16 1 15 17 18 16 14 16 17 16 19 177 178

4 85 Sam SUMMERHAYES 17 18 16 12 14 19 13 15 13 14 13 16 168 180

5 21 Aaron SMITH 14 1 17 18 1 15 19 19 20 19 19 1 162 163

6 99 Mark COWAN 19 17 10 20 16 12 8 1 18 7 17 18 162 163

7 50 Dan WHEELER 16 19 12 14 19 13 15 1 1 11 121

8 4 Colin PEACOCK 15 1 14 13 18 11 1 13 14 15 115

9 72 Rob HOWARD 18 16 15 14 1 0 11 13 15 11 114

10 53 Niven BURGE 1 10 12 16 17 17 15 15 w w 103

11 55 Michael GREEN 12 14 13 11 10 1 10 9 1 14 95

12 49 Gary WARBURTON 10 12 1 7 10 8 9 8 10 13 88

13 44 Paul CLARK 8 10 12 10 0 12 12 17 81

14 20 Mark SIMS 1 1 13 1 14 16 12 10 68

15 31 Phil DALE 11 15 11 9 1 11 58

16 48 Ian BRISCALL 0 0 9 8 9 9 11 1 47

17 69 Tony LE MAY 1 0 14 16 31

18 77 Tristen KNIGHT 0 0 15 1 1 12 w w 29

19 52 Nathan BURGE 9 12 21

20 28 Bob HUMPHREYS 11 7 18

21 27 Ian FRASER 11 0 1 6 18

22 12 Paul THOMPSON 1 0 1

Invitation

nc 241 Damon ASTIN [15] [1] -

nc 113 Phil HARVEY [0] [0] -

nc 166 Rohith DE SILVA w w -

Mini-7 Classic

nc 184 Steve JONES [9] [11] -

nc 157 William WARD [8] [10] -

nc 118 Ian CURLEY [1] [0] -

nc 101 Jonathan LEWIS w w -

Practiced 17 17 15 15 16 16 20 20 14 14 13 13

Started 14 12 15 13 16 16 20 18 13 14 13 13

Finished 13 11 11 11 13 14 14 15 12 14 12 10

1 Castle Combe 6 April FL: S Summerhayes Pole: R Deeth Spax Improver: G Warburton (+4) 2 Castle Combe 6 April FL: M Cowan Pole: M Cowan Spax Improver: S Summerhayes (+5) 3 Snetterton 300 9 May FL: R Deeth Pole: K Astin Spax Improver: R Deeth (+11) 4 Snetterton 300 10 May FL: R Deeth [rec] Pole: K Astin Spax Improver: R Deeth (+8) 5 Rockingham 30 May FL: R Deeth Pole: K Astin Spax Improver: D Drew (+5) 6 Rockingham 31 May FL: K Astin Pole: R Deeth Spax Improver: S Summerhayes (+7) 7 Brands Hatch 27 June FL: D Drew Pole: R Deeth Spax Improver: B Humphreys (+8) 8 Brands Hatch 28 June FL: M Cowan Pole: R Deeth Spax Improver: S Summerhayes (+8) 9 Donington Park 25 July FL: R Deeth Pole: A Smith Spax Improver: S Summerhayes (+4) 10 Donington Park 26 July FL: A Smith Pole: A Smith Spax Improver: S Summerhayes (+4) 11 Oulton Park 8 August FL: A Smith [rec] Pole: R Deeth Spax Improver: I Briscall (+3) * #52 ran as 53 12 Oulton Park 8 August FL: R Deeth Pole: K Astin Spax Improver: P Clark (+4) * #52 ran as 53 * Invitation + Mini-7 Classic not eligible for Challenge points

2015 DUNLOP MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPARES

PROVISIONAL POINTS after Rds 11+12

Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total

1 48 Ian BRISCALL 0 0 - - 2 2 2 2 - - 2 1 11

2015 MINI MIGLIA NOVICE

PROVISIONAL POINTS after Rds 11+12

Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total best 11

1 35 Paul SPARK 18 20 17 20 19 1 16 18 19 1 18 19 185 186

2 2 Darren THOMAS 20 12 1 0 18 13 20 20 20 20 19 20 183

3 6 Ashley DAVIES 1 11 16 19 14 18 17 14 18 18 20 18 183 184

4 46 Max HUNTER 15 19 20 1 16 20 18 1 15 17 16 15 172 173

5 3 Graeme DAVIS 17 10 1 11 13 11 13 16 14 16 17 16 154 155

6 23 Jabez DYER 16 18 18 17 17 12 9 5 1 1 15 13 141 142

7 1 Andrew DEVINY 19 1 19 1 20 19 19 1 17 19 0 0 135

8 5 Kieren MCDONALD 13 16 14 18 12 4 10 12 7 9 10 14 135 139

9 73 Spencer WANSTALL 12 1 12 16 1 10 6 13 13 11 12 12 118 119

10 49 Ross BILLISON 6 13 15 15 15 15 11 1 1 10 13 4 118 119

11 11 Charlie BUDD 9 1 7 8 7 9 12 11 9 14 14 11 111 112

12 4 Leon WIGHTMAN 11 9 9 1 1 17 5 9 8 13 11 1 94 95

13 37 Gareth HUNT 14 17 1 1 9 1 3 8 1 15 1 17 87 88

14 44 Adam SMITH 1 10 11 16 8 15 12 12 1 1 87

15 9 Steve TRENCH 10 15 8 14 10 8 0 1 0 0 1 10 77

16 52 Nathan BURGE 13 9 1 1 14 17 10 1 66

17 90 Ian DEVINY 8 14 10 13 1 5 5 6 w w 62

18 18 Lewis SELBY 3 0 w w 15 19 16 1 1 0 55

19 7 Julian PROCTOR 7 1 1 4 8 6 2 2 3 5 9 8 55 56

20 29 Daniel BUDD 11 12 1 14 1 1 1 1 42

21 47 Kelvin EDGAR 2 7 5 6 6 2 2 4 1 7 42

22 60 Malcolm KEAT 2 3 4 5 4 2 2 3 7 5 37

23 15 Steve BAKER 6 7 4 6 4 8 35

24 89 Tom HARTWELL -0 7 7 10 1 9 34

25 91 Shaun TARLTON 5 8 w w 11 7 31

26 21 Tina COOPER 2 5 2 2 2 2 6 1 22

27 92 Kevin O’SHEA 2 2 -0 2 8 6 20

28 39 Andy MILLER 3 3 5 3 2 2 18

29 97 Jim BURROWS 4 6 w w 1 3 0 0 14

30 38 Steven HOPPER 1 7 1 0 9

31 93 Roland PARSLOE 2 4 -0 0 1 0 7

32 34 Anthony TOWEY 1 0 1 4 0 0 6

33 63 David ROBINSON 1 2 2 0 1 0 6

34 54 Lewis FOX w w 1 1 2

35 16 Julian AFFLECK 0 0 1 0 1

Practiced 25 25 28 28 23 23 29 29 29 29 22 22

Started 25 24 27 24 23 23 28 26 27 25 20 19

Finished 23 20 20 20 18 20 22 21 19 18 14 17

1 Castle Combe 6 April FL: A Deviny Pole: D Thomas Spax Improver: A Deviny (+23) 2 Castle Combe 6 April FL: J Dyer [rec] Pole: D Thomas Spax Improver: R Billison (+9) 3 Snetterton 300 9 May FL: M Hunter Pole: P Spark Spax Improver: J Dyer (+9) 4 Snetterton 300 10 May FL: A Deviny [rec] Pole: A Deviny Spax Improver: A Smith (+13) * #92+93 disq @ Rd 3 Snetterton - to count 0 in best scores 5 Rockingham 30 May FL: A Deviny Pole: A Davies Spax Improver: C Budd (+6) 6 Rockingham 31 May FL: M Hunter Pole: A Deviny Spax Improver: L Wightman (+11) * #89 disq @ Rd 5 Rockingham - to count 0 in best scores 7 Brands Hatch 27 June FL: P Spark Pole: D Thomas Spax Improver: G Hunt (+9) 8 Brands Hatch 28 June FL: D Thomas Pole: D Thomas Spax Improver: G Hunt (+14)

2015 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPARES

PROVISIONAL POINTS after Rds 11+12 - AMENDED

9 Donington Park 25 July FL: A Deviny Pole: D Thomas Spax Improver: L Selby (+18) 10 Donington Park 26 July FL: D Thomas Pole: G Davis Spax Improver: L Wightman (+21) 11 Oulton Park 8 August FL: A Davies Pole: D Thomas Spax Improver: K O’Shea (+9) 12 Oulton Park 8 August FL: M Hunter [rec] Pole: D Thomas Spax Improver: K Edgar (+6)

Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total best 11

1 90 Ian DEVINY 10 10 10 10 1 10 - - 8 8 w w 67

2 91 Shaun TARLTON 8 8 - - - - w w 10 10 - - 36

3 92 Kevin O’SHEA 4 4 -0 8 - - - - - - 10 10 36

4 97 James BURROWS 6 6 w w - - 1 10 0 0 - - 23

5 93 Roland PARSLOE 5 5 -0 0 - - 1 0 - - - - 11

1 Castle Combe 6 April S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: S Tarlton

2 Castle Combe 6 April S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny

3 Snetterton 300 9 May S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny 4 Snetterton 300 10 May S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny * #92+93 disq @ Rd 3 Snetterton - to count 0 in best scores 5 Rockingham 30 May S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny 6 Rockingham 31 May S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny 7 Brands Hatch 27 June S-Class FL: R Parsloe S-Class Pole: J Burrows 8 Brands Hatch 28 June S-Class FL: J Burrows S-Class Pole: J Burrows 9 Donington Park 25 July S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton 10 Donington Park 26 July S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: S Tarlton 11 Oulton Park 8 August S-Class FL: K O’Shea S-Class Pole: K O’Shea 12 Oulton Park 8 August S-Class FL: K O’Shea S-Class Pole: K O’Shea

Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total

1 54 Lewis FOX - - - - - - w w 1 1 - - 2

2015 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN S-CLASS supported by MINI SPARES

2015 MINI SE7EN NOVICE

PROVISIONAL POINTS after Rds 11+12 - AMENDED

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PhotoGalleryOulton Park, August 8, 2015All images copyright www.mbracephotography.co.uk

RACE DATES 2015

Rd 1/2 April 6 Castle Combe Rd 3/4 May 9-10 Snetterton 300Rd 5/6 May 30-31 RockinghamRd 7/8 June 27-28 Brands Hatch Mini Festival (TV)Rd 9/10 July 25-26 Donington ParkRd 11/12 August 8 Oulton Park Mini Festival (TV)Rd 13/14 Sept 19-20 Silverstone Int’l & 50th Party (TV)50 Plate Oct 31 - Nov 1 Snetterton 300

SPONSORS


SEPTEMBER 19-20 Round 11 & 12SilverstoneTowcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8TN0844 372 8200www.silverstone.co.uk

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From the Archives: Silverstone10, 20, 30, 40 years ago A delve into the M7RC Archive helps us to recap what happened over the decades at Silverstone around this time of year.

WORDS:RichardWilliamsonPHOTOS:M7RCArchive

A decade ago and the M7RC paid three visits to the Northamptonshire

venue. The first was an early season BRDC non-championship warm-up on 19 March, 10 laps around the 1.6390-mile National track. Just 11 cars showed, Sarah Munns best of the Miglias to win by 0.241s from Paul Simmonds, and Phil Lee in third. Fifth overall saw Paul Brown in one of his Brownspeed customer cars take the Se7en class, just 0.223s ahead of Malcolm Holdstock in sixth, and Rupert Hinde seventh. Polesitter Phil Rudge retired at halfway, while Lee and Brown set Miglia and Se7en fastest laps respectively.

Just over a month later on 24 April saw the Dunlop National Challenge open on the full 3.194-mile GP layout, with big enough entries for separate races! The Miglias went first and completed 7 laps in just over 16 minutes,

season champion Peter Baldwin getting his campaign off to a great start, including fastest

lap, just 0.197s in front of pole-sitter Kelly Rogers, with Bill Sollis heading Max Hunter, Colin Peacock and Tim Sims nearly eight seconds adrift. Also among the 21 starters were Ralph Saunders, Mark Sims, Simmonds, Michael Green and Tony Le May.

The Se7ens clocked up 6 laps just over the 15-minute mark, Hunter improving on his earlier finish to take the chequer first, a ‘huge’ 6.368s ahead of champion elect Paul Thompson, and James Winnifrith in an excellent third. Dave Banwell, Geoff Letts and Gareth Hunt completed the top six. Still racing today among the 31 entries included the likes of Niven Burge, Kane Astin, Graeme Davis, Steven Hopper, Malcolm Keat, Steve Baker, Paul Clark and the Deviny brothers, Ian and Andrew, the latter starting from

pole. Top novice was Lee Jones in 17th, while Hunter set a new lap record of 2:28.738 (77.30 mph).

Onto 23 July, and the Club received a non-points invite from the MG Car Club to celebrate its 75th year, and also to mark 50 years of the BMC Competition Department. The 8-lapper on the older International layout of 2.490 miles saw 17 Minis join a dozen MG Metro Challenge cars and which, after an early red flag/restart, resulted in overall victory for Paul Brown in an ex-Jon Lewis Miglia, 0.308s ahead of Mark Chandler, who

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Dave Banwell’s 1-litre machinePhoto: M7RC Archive / Pitlane

200510 Years

ago

Ian Featherstone’s Mig and Lee Jones’ 7 in a combined racePhoto: M7RC Archive /Pitlane

Miglia of Phil Rudge

Photo: M7RC Archive /Pitlane

From the Archives: Silverstone10, 20, 30, 40 years agohad topped the qualifying times. Phil Harvey was third in class, fifth overall behind the leading Metros, with Darren Thomas, standing in for Ralph Saunders, sixth. Down in 11th, Paul McGarry got the better of Gareth Hunt in the Se7en category, with Mark Smith next best in 16th. Of note too, Dave Banwell race tested an early injection version of the proposed S-Class category, due for introduction in 2006.

A mammoth six dates on the

calendar, all on the 1.642-mile National layout, highlighted the burgeoning tie-in with RoverSport and Unipart, plus the administration clout of the BRDC. However, the first meeting of the season scheduled for 4 March never went ahead due to heavy snow, and was run a fortnight later on the 18 March. Hosted by the BRDC Marshals’ Club, the Winter Series entry had gone down from 28 to 24 cars, for a combined 10-lapper. Former Minicrosser Tony Hobbs led home the Miglias from pole position, a comfortable 5.82 s ahead of Phil Harvey followed by Graham Ford. In sixth overall, Dave Braggins got his Winter Mini Se7en series-winning campaign off to the best start with victory by a scant 0.72s from Kelly Rogers and Dave Banwell.

Of note further back, future champ’ Paul Thompson in 16th, just ahead of Richard Williamson…

The following weekend saw the opening races of the 16-round Unipart-DCM National Challenges, the BRDC putting on a Best of British Spring Trophy meeting over 25-26 March. In a foretaste of what to expect for the season, and from a huge 36-car entry, Chris Lewis led home Bill Sollis by a few lengths, but only after poleman Peter Baldwin, in Owen Hall’s car, had dropped out after an early clash with Richard Wager. Ian Gunn came next from Graham Penn, with Stewart Drake and David Abbott filling the leaderboard,

Drake setting the fastest lap too. Paul Brend had been fifth on the road but was excluded for a light car. In the Se7en class, Mike Jackson opened out a similar 5+s gap after 10 laps, Dave Banwell and Rob Selby joining him on the podium, with Genny Cooke in fourth battling with them throughout. Rob Cullum’s

199520 Years

ago

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Early season combined podium: Holdstock, Simmonds, Munns, Brown, Lee and HindePhoto: M7RC Archive /Pitlane

Baldwin, Sollis and Drake in Miglia battlePhoto: M7RC Archive / Ferret Fotographics (M Harvey)

From the Archives: Silverstone10, 20, 30, 40 years ago

debut race was impressive, sixth behind Phil Manser and fastest lap marking him out as one to watch for the future. Also in the 33-strong field were Dan Wheeler, Niv Burge and Mark Sims.

It was a double-header for rounds 5+6 on 29 May, another Best of British with F3 headlining. In Miglia race 1, again Lewis led Sollis across the line in another 10-lap thriller, just 0.16s separating them, with Drake (fastest lap), Baldwin (pole), Ian Curley and Brend giving very close chase. Myk Cable and Jonathan Lloyd were excluded for yellow flag naughties. With the race 2 grid formed from the race 1 result, the tables were turned in favour of Sollis (fastest lap), winning a photo-finish from Lewis by just 0.02! This was after a red-flag and restart

however over 8 laps. Drake took another third, from Brend and Curley, with Trevor Hancock in sixth improving his first race finish by three positions. An over-subscribed Se7en entry saw 40 cars (5 more than the Migs) vying for just 34 grid spaces for a pair of 10-lap thrashes. Jackson controlled race 1 from the start, setting off from pole and estsablishing a new lap record of 1:17.75 (76.02 mph) to run out 2.24s clear of Shaun King, from Dave Braggins, Banwell, Selby and Cooke. The winning margin in race 2 was slightly larger at 3.72s although this time King set the fastest lap. Banwell, Selby, Niv Burge and Manser led the marauding pack behind the top two.

The National finals weekend on 7-8 October was the Autumn Gold Cup meeting, with again

Best of British F3, GTs and Rovers on the bill. The Miglia title was going down to the wire and while series runner-up Sollis did all he could by qualifying fastest of 31 cars, and then just edging an entertaining four-way battle over 10 laps, it was not enough to prevent Lewis taking the title with a third place finish sandwiched between fastest lap man Drake, and Curley. In fact, the top two were tied on points but Lewis edged it with seven wins to six! Baldwin nearly caught them all in fifth, while Dave Hancock headed another tremendous half-dozen gaggle for sixth. Already confirmed as champion for the second time, Jackson attempted to finish with a maximum in the Se7ens 10-lapper, but went off trying to wrest the lead off of eventual race winner King on lap 5. Tim

17





Mike Jackson dominated Se7en seasonPhoto: M7RC Archive / Ferret Fotographics (M Harvey)

From the Archives: Silverstone10, 20, 30, 40 years agoSims in second set the quickest lap, with Braggins, poleman Steve Bell, Matt Hayman and Curley the next to finish from the 36-car entry.

The Winter series resumed again for its third round on the 28 October, 26 cars present for this combined 10-lapper actually hosted by the Peterborough Motor Club. An early red flag meant a restart and the aggregate result saw polesitter Peter Baldwin, Wayne Grayer (fastest lap) and Jonathan

Lloyd all over each other after a fantastic scrap. In seventh overall, Braggins took a narrow win in the Se7en class from Matt Hayman (pole) and Mark Sims (fastest lap). That bloke R Williamson narrowly missed out on 3 points to Scotsman Jim Boyes after a good 3-to-4 car scrap for 8th in class.

A somewhat damp track greeted 31 entries on 11 November for the fourth-of-six Winter rounds, this time co-hosted by the Silverstone RC/

BRDC. As he had done back in early March, Hobbs returned to the top step of the Miglia podium by the small margin of 0.59s from Grayer and Baldwin, the latter’s gamble on slick tyres from pole not quite paying off. Hobbs set the fastest lap while in the Se7ens Braggins took a clear victory from Bell and Mark Sims again third.

One final footnote of 1995 – Bill Sollis was voted ‘Dish of the Year’ by the Silverstone Lady Marshals!

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The opening meeting of the season, round 1-of-15 in the unsponsored National

Challenge, was run by the British Motor Racing Marshals Club (BMRMC) and the only visit by the M7RC that year. There were 18 entries apiece, and in the first of the 10-lap sprints on the then 1.608-mile layout (pre-Brooklands/Luffield complex), the red flags flew for a huge Mini Se7en smash into Woodcote corner on the opening lap,

and which saw Tina Cooper, Danny Boulton and Tony Stephenson sidelined. The restart was a cakewalk for Russell Grady, extending his advantage to a massive

20+s by the flag, leaving Nigel ‘Boot’ Gaymer, Dave ‘Goody’ Goodridge, Dave Banwell, Peter Kavanagh and Alan Fowler in his wake, the latter not eligible so 7th placed Bill Sollis scored the five points. Grady’s 850cc title-

winning season began with a pole position and fastest lap too. The 1000cc Miglia race was thankfully a lot closer, reigning champion and fastest in qualifying Mike Fry scoring a narrow 0.10s victory over Chris Lewis, with Bev Comber (fastest lap) in third from David Carvell, Dave Hancock and Danny Allpress.

Carvell, Allpress and Dave Hancock in MigliasPhoto: M+A Jackson Collection

Cooper, Stephenson and Boulton in Mini Se7en pile-upPhoto: M+A Jackson Collection

198530 Years

ago

From the Archives: Silverstone10, 20, 30, 40 years ago

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The first of three visits by the M7RC opened

the season on 8 March at a Midland Auto Club meet, round 1-of-19 in the National Se7ens, and 1-of-18 in the Miglias. Champion-to-be for the second time, Graham Wenham (Micktuned) ran out winner of the 850cc Se7en class by a clear 7s after 10 laps on the 1.608-mile layout, including pole and fastest lap. Chris Tyrrell (Calbrook) headed home the rest of the 29 starters from an entry of 37. Jim Mancey (Jimini), Martin Goodall (Dahlemann), Bob Addison and Graham Woskett (Swiftune) came next. The 1-litre Miglias drew a smaller entry of 19 for their event, season champ’ Alan Curnow (Longman/Wessex Kentreds) setting the fastest lap and leaving behind poleman John Hazell to the tune of 11.6s by flagfall, with Phil Spurling (Oselli), Steve Harris, reigning champion Russell Dell (Ripspeed) and Peter Morris completing the top half-dozen.

The British Motor Racing Marshals’ Club hosted National rounds 13 on 16 August, Curnow taking another Miglia victory,

again some way clear of second place, Rick Cutting (Becspeed), third John Bradburn (Aldon), then Spurling fourth, Colin Bigmore fifth and Alan Prestbury sixth of the 19 entered. Several frontrunners dropped out including Dell who had just set the fastest race lap of the race before stuffing his car into the sleepers! In Se7ens, a full 30-car grid (from 35 entered) saw polesitter Wenham pushed back to second behind future F3 racer Terry Pudwell (Lawrence tuned), but only by a scant 0.6s with Alan Seekings (Swiftune) and Mancey (fastest lap) narrowly losing out in a dramatic last corner dash.

Bob Vanson and Andy Devine completed the top placings.

Just the Miglias appeared for the Peterborough MC’s 10-lapper on 20 September, round 16 in their National campaign, but combined with several quicker Special Saloons. Having secured the title at the previous Mallory race, Alan Curnow gave his car over to brother Mike, but he had to settle for second behind an on-form Steve Harris who started on class pole and also set fastest Miglia lap on his way to a creditable fifth overall behind the quicker specials. Cutting, Spurling, Bigmore and Paul Perera led the rest of the 13 Migs.

197540 Years

ago

‘Modded’ Mini Se7en on the gridPhoto: A Seekings Collection

SPONSORS


MINI SE7EN1 Andrew Deviny Driver2 Darren Thomas3 Graeme Davis SOCOMEC4 Leon Wightman Driver5 Kieren McDonald Big Mac Racing6 Ashley Davies SMG Motorsport 7 Julian Proctor Roonspeed 9 Steve Trench SJT Racing/Floss-a-lot11 Charlie Budd Pristine Condition15 Steve Baker16 Julian Affleck18 Lewis Selby Selby Motorsport21 Tina Cooper Driver23 Jabez Dyer Driver29 Daniel Budd34 Anthony Towey35 Paul Spark A+ Racing37 Gareth Hunt Driver38 Steven Hopper39 Andy Miller44 Adam Smith A L Motorsport46 Max Hunter Hunters Garage47 Kelvin Edgar Kelsport49 Ross Billison52 Nathan Burge54 Lewis Fox60 Malcolm Keat Driver63 Dave Robinson Kat7Racing.co.uk73 Spencer Wanstall Driver89 Tom Hartwell

MINI SE7EN S CLASS90 Ian Deviny Driver91 Shaun Tarlton Shaun Tarlton 92 Kevin O Shea Driver93 Roland Parsloe Driver97 James Burrows Altered Image

know your rivalMini 7 Racing Club drivers

MINI MIGLIA1 Rupert Deeth Team Deeth 4 Colin Peacock Mondo Sport 11 Kane Astin Driver 12 Paul Thompson20 Mark Sims21 Aaron Smith AAA Racing 27 Ian Fraser28 Bob Humphreys29 Dave Drew Driver 31 Phil Dale Driver44 Paul Clark48 Ian Briscall Driver49 Gary Warburton Driver 50 Daniel Wheeler Driver 53 Niven Burge55 Michael Green Driver 69 Tony Le May72 Rob Howard Owens Motorsport77 Tristen Knight Wenden Garage 85 Sam Summerhayes Lodway SS99 Mark Cowan Baldwin M’sport

INVITATION111 Jonathan Lewis Driver118 Ian Curley157 William Ward Driver113 Phil Harvey Motley Mini 1300184 Steve Jones Dale Racing241 Damon Astin

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SPONSORS


Contacts Mike Jackson 0121 707 5881 [email protected]

Jeff Carter 07969 157921 [email protected]

The Official Monthly Newsletter of the Mini 7 Racing Club

Issue 01/12

CRACKING START TO 2012

Apri l 2012

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Chairman’s Chat 2

New Sponsor 3

The Next Events 4

Club Bulletin 6

News 7

Race Reports 8

Championship Table 11

The 2012 season got off to a great start with two action packed races in the spring sunshine at Oulton Park in Chesh-ire. A large crowd was treated to two typically Mini 10 lap encounters with ac-

tion all the way from start to finish.

In the Mini Se7ens, reigning champion Paul Spark crossed the line to take the first chequered flag of the year. In the Miglia en-

counter 2010 Cham-pion Paul Thompson took pole position and then led from start to finish to claim his first victory since Spa last year.

FULL RACE REPORTS ON PAGES 8 AND 9

ENTRIES OPEN FOR COMBE The entry form for the Motors TV event at Castle Combe on Monday 7 May is now available and it is requested that all racing members in-tending to partici-pate get their entries in as soon as possible.

The Mini 7 Racing Club has bought the grid and we need to know the numbers as

soon as possible. We also need to make sure the TV commentators have an accurate entry list ahead of the event so driver pro-files can be pre-pared. Remember this is LIVE TV!

You can enter online at Or you can

download the entry form from the web-site and pay Mike Jackson at Doning-ton Park next week-end. You can pay right up to the event on the 7 May but we request that you don’t leave it to the last minute.

It is going to be a great event and its going to be on TV.

FLYING START TO 2013

It’s been business as usual for the Mini

Se7en Racing Club as this year’s

championships got off to a roaring

start. With Round 1 at Donington and

Round 2 & 3 at Rockingham under

our belts the season has well and truly

begun, and brought with it all the

hard fought sideways action we ex-

pect. As of Round 3 it’s

Paul Spark in the lead of the Se7ens,

having won at Donny and placed

strongly in both Rockingham races.

It’s a strong statement from the three-

time champion, who will be looking

to put early points on the board in

pursuit of his fourth consecutive title.

In the Miglias it’s been an all Kane

Astin affair so far; three victories from

three outings leave him very much in

control. But good performances from

Aaron Smith and Tristen Knight show

that he’s got a long way to go to se-

cure the championship, and of

course you can never discount the

experience of 6-time winner Peter

Baldwin. 2013 has also brought with it a few

changes in the way that

M7RC communi-

cate with fans and teams, starting off

with this new look newsletter. Read

on to find out what else we’re doing

to make sure that Europe’s longest

running single make series appeals to

everybody.

I S S U E

J u n e 2 0 1 3

01

Contacts Mike Jackson 0121 707 5881 [email protected]

Jeff Carter 07969 157921 [email protected]

Jamie Snelling 07814 726270 Matt Barrington 07756 712333

This Issue

Donington & Rockingham Reports

Meet the Mini Se7en Modernisers

Photo Galleries

Upcoming Events and Archives

The Official

Newsletter of

The Mini Se7en

Racing Club

JOIN THE CLUB

Mini 7 is not just a racing series, it’s a club. It’s where

like-minded people, just like you can socialise and get to know each other, chat cars and Minis and find people who just get it.

You don’t need to be a racer to join the club, and if racing is something you’re just getting involved in, then this is a great way to learn from and chat to the pros.

SuPPORTERSThe Mini 7 Racing Supporters Club enables fans of Mini racing to belong to the Mini 7 Racing Club without the need to join as a racing

member. For an annual fee of just £20 for UK members and £25 for International Members, Mini 7 Racing Supporters Club members will enjoy a range of benefits and exclusive offers.

RACERSTo race with the Mini 7 Racing Club you must be a Racing Member. At £195 per season this represents great value for money.

In addition to being able to race with the Club, Racing Members also receive the same benefits as Supporters Club members - access to the members forum, club discounts, voting at the AGM and much more.

Member Benefits

• Exclusive M7R Supporters Club car sticker• Exclusive Supporters Club competitions• Access to Members-only forum• Discount on M7RC sponsors’ products• Invitation to M7RC social events• Able to purchase tickets for M7RC awards

21





2015 ? Kane astin2014 andrew deviny Rupert deeth2013 andrew deviny Peter Baldwin2012 Paul Spark Peter Baldwin2011 Paul Spark endaf Owens2010 Paul Spark Paul Thompson2009 Kane astin andy Hack2008 Paul Thompson andy Hack2007 Max Hunter andy Hack2006 andrew deviny Bill Sollis2005 Paul Thompson Peter Baldwin2004 James Hall Peter Baldwin2003 Tim Sims Peter Baldwin2002 Tim Sims Chris Lewis2001 Tim Sims Peter Baldwin2000 dave Braggins Peter Baldwin1999 dave Braggins Ian Curley1998 Matt Hayman Ian Curley1997 Steve Bell Bill Sollis1996 Phil Manser Stewart drake1995 Mike Jackson Chris Lewis1994 Ian Curley Chris Lewis1993 Tina Cooper Ian Gunn1992 Mike Jackson Myk Cable1991 Bill Sollis Myk Cable1990 Bill Sollis Owen Hall1989 Steve Cooper Myk Cable1988 Malcolm Joyce Russell Grady1987 Chris Tyrell Russell Grady1986 Chris Tyrell Russell Grady

1985 Russell Grady Mike Fry1984 Chris Gould Mike Fry1983 Chris Gould Chris Lewis1982 Gerald dale Chris Lewis1981 Gary Hall Chris Hampshire1980 Jonathan Lewis Roland Nix1979 Patrick Watts Phil Spurling1978 Steve Hall Phil Spurling1977 Martin Goodall Paul Gaymer1976 Graham Wenham Mike Curnow1975 Graham Wenham alan Curnow1974 Chris Tyrell Russell dell1973 Mick Moss Phil Spurling1972 Reg armstrong Mick Osborne1971 Graham Wenham Len Brammer1970 Len Brammer Mick Osborne1969 Paul Gaymer 1968 Mick Osborne1967 Bob Fox1966 Bob Fox

YeaR MINI Se7eN MINI MIGLIa YeaR MINI Se7eN MINI MIGLIa

Roll of HonourThe Champions

SPONSORS


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SPONSORS

CHAIRMANNick CookeE: [email protected]

COMMERCIALMANAGERColin PeacockE: [email protected]

TREASURERJeffrey ParishE: [email protected]

CHAMPIONSHIPCO-ORDINATORRichard WilliamsonE: [email protected]

COMPETITIONMANAGERMike JacksonE: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIPSECRETARyJacquie MartinE: [email protected]

PRESSOFFICERCraig McBethE: [email protected]

Club ContactsM7RCNEWSLETTEREDITORIALTEAM

EDITORCraig [email protected]

PHOTOSMatthew Barringtonwww.mbracephotography.co.uk

Words Richard [email protected]

REPORTERThomas Bonnington

Documents

Pit and Paddock - Mini7 Racing Club