M7RC Newsletter - Issue 3

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DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

Can it really be four years since the Mini 7 Racing Club last

visited the picturesque Lincolnshire circuit? Likened to a ‘mini Nurburgring’ the 2.19-mile circuit, which was originally carved out for motorbikes 80 years ago, rises and dips with fast open sweeps combined with tight and twisty sections in among the trees, and offers a fabulous roller-coaster ride for the drivers. Both the Mini Se7en and Mini Miglia Challenges will no doubt

produce the races of the weekend, but on the support bill are the equally interesting Legends, Mazda MX5s and Classic Touring Cars.

MINI SE7ENFour rounds into the 2014 season and reigning Champion Andrew Deviny sits atop the points table with a nine-point advantage over his nearest rival. At the recent Brands Hatch Mini Racing Festival a fuelling problem

Issue 3: May 2014Official Mini Se7en Racing Club Newsletter

www.mini7.co.uk

1Quick Links• Preview

• RaceReport• Standings

• Gallery• NextRaces

• Timetable• DriverProfile

• History• Contacts

Pit and Paddock

Powered by:

Preview: rounds 5&6 CAdweLL PArK MAy 31-Jun 1WORDS:RichardWilliamson

2014

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LaP ReCORd: Neil Johnson TIMe. 1:50.12 ave. 71.04 mph on 29 april 2001

eNgINeS: 998cc modified a-Series (S-Class: Std 1275cc limited mods)0-60MPh: 6.6 seconds (S-Class: 7.5 seconds)TOP SPeed: 110 mph (S-Class: 105 mph)

Note: Trophies to top three finishers (trophy to S-Class winner)Note: (S-Class numbered from #90 - #99)

Mini se7en RecoRds & Regulations

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Pit & Paddock May 2014 issue 3

restricted Andrew to seventh on the Saturday but second place on Sunday helped boost the total of first and second from Castle Combe last month.

Kieren McDonald has crept into second on points, thanks to four consistent finishes in the top-six, while in third is Darren Thomas who came away from Brands with second place followed up with victory to add to the one he scored at Combe, and underline his status as one of the title favourites. Ashley Davies looked to be on course for a double-victory at Brands, having led from start to finish on the Saturday, but sadly the following day his engine failed when out in front. Ashley sits sixth in the points behind Leon Wightman and Graeme

Davis, the latter with a brace of podium visits, while of the rest Ross Billison produced a fine drive to third in the first Brands race before retiring in the second, while Spencer Wanstall leads the Novice standings by a single point from Shaun Tarlton, the latter heading up the S-Class runners after Brands.

So who might be a good bet for Cadwell honours? Well, on the last visit in 2010 Andrew Deviny shared the race wins with Max Hunter (still hoping to be out during 2014), while other runners from then still competing in Mini Se7en this year include Darren Thomas, Graeme Davis, Nathan Burge, Julian Proctor, Kelvin Edgar, David Robinson, Steven Hopper, Ian Deviny and Kevin O’Shea.













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MINI MIgLIa ReCORdS & ReguLaTIONS

LaP ReCORd: Chris Lewis TIMe. 1:40.46 ave. 77.87 mph on 29 april 2001

eNgINeS: 1293cc modified a-Series0-60MPh: 4.5 secondsTOP SPeed: 125 mph

Note: Trophies to top three finishers

MINI MIGLIA

Competition among the leading Mini Miglia runners

in 2014 is probably as close as it has ever been, with up to half-a-dozen potential winners.

After a measured weekend at Brands which saw him take his second win of the season, Kane Astin leads the Challenge from Dan Wheeler by virtue of the extra victory as they both have amassed 72 points so far. Combe winner Dan had a hectic Brands schedule as he also competed in several historic races in his Mini Cooper S, so a third and fourth were a good return on his efforts.

Having come away from Combe with just a single point, pre-season favourite Aaron Smith needed to claw back some points at his local circuit. A contentious clash with Richard Casey when going

for the lead at Paddock Bend put them both out of Saturday’s race (Richard also non-starting in the second race), so a hard fought victory the next day at least put Aaron’s season on the map.

The biggest step up in performance however has come from Rob Howard, whose Endaf Owens-tended car has been transformed over the winter into a car capable of leading and setting fastest race laps. Rob sits a point ahead of the consistent Colin Peacock, with Rupert Deeth a further point in arrears, and with three podium finishes already this season is surely due that first win soon!?

Tony Le May and James Coulson have been on the tails of the frontrunners throughout, while Dave Drew’s opening round promise of a pair of thirds was tempered with a huge off in practice at Brands, and may have curtailed his season for the time being. Similarly the points table positions of Richard Casey and Niven Burge don’t reflect the pace they have shown so far.

Based on the previous races from 2010, then Niv Burge’s pair of second places might suggest he is a dark horse for victory, although the double-winner back then was Paul Thompson, who currently helps run the car of Kane Astin…


















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MINI-7 CLaSSIC ReCORdS & ReguLaTIONS

Note: Mini-7 Classic series numbered from #150 upwards, non-points scoring but trophy to class winner (if three starters or more).

Note: Invitation class numbered from #100 - #149, non-points scoring but trophy to class winner (if three starters or more).

Note: Mini-7 Classic series & Invitation class intended to start on the Mini Miglia grid.

Note: The M7RC holds its own award ceremony in the paddock after the races – this is in addition to any post-race podium presentation by the circuit/meeting organisers…

INVITATION ClassThe Brands Mini Racing Festival drew a healthy five-car entry, with overseas visitors joining in too. On this occasion, newcomer Jason Burgess bagged a brace of Class trophies in his 1300 example, beating Damon Astin to the prize in the opening race, and then taking the second after Damon dropped out of the Class lead, although their battle with Sam Summerhayes’ full Miglia-spec car was a highlight of the second encounter. On each occasion, Combe victor Gary Warburton chased for all his worth to stay within sight of the lead battle, while unfortunately French visitor Greg Carini (class runner-up here two season ago) crashed out early in the first race and missed out on the second.

MINI-7 CLASSIC ClassAfter their dedicated historic races at Brands, battle resumes at Cadwell in the inaugural series for the invited classics. Most of the runners from Combe last month have signalled their intention to be at Cadwell, with Ian Curley likely to be among the Class leaders. The Nick Paddy/Bill Sollis car was rolled at Brands so hopefully will be repaired in time, while Tim Stanbridge and Steve Jones will be aiming to close the gap around the tighter parts of the Lincolnshire venue. Once again, the Mini-7 Classics will share the grid with the Miglias and Invitation cars.


















First of all, apologies for not writing the last Chairman’s Chat… thanks Colin for stepping in at the last

moment, as I was off to Devon for a week to have a family gathering in an old paper mill! Great pub in the village by the way.

Well I’m now in the swing of it again and lots to talk about. Let’s start with the racing so far… Castle Combe and Brands Hatch. As usual we put on a great show, with very respectable grids for a warm Easter Monday Combe meeting. Great shame that Gareth Hunt had a crank go in the first race, especially being on pole. It was also good to see a new member at Combe ~ Matthew Gleave, with Andy Ruthven’s old car. I was in the commentary box for the first race and witnessed the confusion of the number of laps completed! In fact the cars completed 11 laps. First time I can remember this happening.

It was so good to see several Classics joining the Miglia grid for the first time; some old faces were racing with us again. Old, in the ‘past members’ sense of the word! Shame to see some cars were badly damaged at the end of the meeting, but good to see the drivers were not injured.

It was somewhat surprising to see

somewhat reduced grids at Brands Hatch, compared to last year’s Mini Festival. A total of 51 cars {Migs & Se7ens} qualified last year and 35 cars this year. Why were the numbers down? “The meeting was too early this year” {June 22/23 last year}, “It clashed with a major Mini show at Himley Hall”… were two reasons given by those who I asked around the paddock. Neither of these reasons can I understand. Saying that, we still put on a great show, thanks to all of you who turned up to enjoy a great weekend {albeit very cold}, along with an excellent BBQ put on by the usual team.

Thanks again and also what a fantastic sum of money collected for Macmillan Cancer support. A big

thank you to all of you {you know who you are} who attended the Club stand, sold lots of brightly coloured woolly hats, handed out 2014 regs {Jacquie and Simon} to those who had not received them at Combe, the list goes on. Where would we be without our volunteers? Also thanks to Matthew and Co. for some great pictures and our race reporters.

I would like to think and already it is becoming evident, that this year will be somewhat improved when it comes to more frequent newsletters and an improved website. Becoming a Club Member online has been an issue over the years, as is getting on the Club website for some. Mark Cowan has kindly offered his services in revamping the website,

now that Jeff Carter has decided to call it a day. Jeff has contributed excellent work over the years, doing a lot of ‘things’ behind the scenes, which most people






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

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Chairman’s ChatPit & Paddock May 2014 issue 3

are not aware of. I thank Jeff for all of his excellent work over the years.

Following on from this, the makers of love:mini magazine have stepped in to produce our newsletter ‘at zero cost’. Please attach the love:mini decals to your cars, if not already in place, ready for the Cadwell meeting. I would like to think that you all are pleased with the quality and quantity of the newsletters so far… I await some comments! Thank you to Craig McBeth of love:mini.

On the subject of decals, Darren Thomas has kindly said he will look after the Championship decals during 2014… it is so important that these are present on your cars, to maintain sponsorship agreements and to follow Championship regulations! Steve Prior will be on the prowl looking for ‘culprits’ during 2014.

There are two subjects I would like to raise… first subject is the annual awards evening. Jeff Carter has looked after this in the past {one of his behind the scenes unpaid activities} but as of yet, I have had no volunteers to take over the managing of the event. Similarly, we haven’t organised a venue for 2014, so yet again, some suggestions would be

appreciated. This is fairly high priority, as we are approaching halfway through the season!

Secondly, what do we do next year to celebrate our 50th season of racing? Before anyone says it is 2016 that we should be celebrating, not 2015… think about it. 1966 was the first season on racing… 2015 will be our 50th season of racing. I’m afraid Goodwood have declined our offer of putting on an excellent show at their 2015 Members Meeting… “You’re too modern etc”! Very short sighted of them, I feel. So any suggestions would be gratefully received; like the awards evening, we need to crack on getting some ideas together.

Well that’s enough from me for the time being… hope to see good grids at Cadwell Park. Haven’t been there for yonks. Hope to see you all there… it’s a great testing track!

NickNick CookeChairman M7RC

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contd…


TEAM WARBURTON USING ThEIR LOAf“I have attached a team photo that was taken at Castle Combe, I think it is obvious for all to see that we were all thrilled to be there and thoroughly enjoying the day. If you have a newsletter please put us in as I think we make a good advert for the club.”

Thanks for your helpJayne WickstromTeam WarburtonCar #102

















MINISE7ENRACE1RESULT

1 5 Ashley Davies2 4 Darren Thomas3 49 Ross Billison4 37 Gareth Hunt5 88 Kieren McDonald6 10 Leon Wightman


MINI SE7ENS: ROUND 1

Ashley Davies took pole on a very greasy Brands

Hatch Indy track with Hunt, McDonald and Wightman behind for an 18-lap race.

It was a fantastic start for Andrew Deviny and Graeme Davis as Kieren McDonald fell back to sixth allowing Deviny to move up to second after chasing down Gareth Hunt at Cooper straight. Hunt falls back to fourth after being overtaken by both Deviny and Davis, as Ashley Davies leads.

Lap three see Deviny, in second, being chased down by Darren Thomas, who has made great progress through the pack after starting seventh on the grid. Davis and Billison take Paddock Hill Bend three abreast but it was Thomas who closes the door to take third with Davis fourth and Billison fifth.

A big gap back to the

chasing pack sees Gareth Hunt followed by Burge, and Wansall and Wightman having their own battle for sixth and seventh.

Lap five sees Deviny 1.4 seconds behind a flying Ashley Davies, with Thomas putting in the fastest lap with a 1.00.384 to catch the second-place man coming over the start-finish line together. Deviny defends nicely leaving Thomas to slot back into third at Paddock Hill Bend where he makes a big mistake dropping a wheel off the tarmac losing ground but not a place which he soon makes up going into Druids. Deviny had a very sideways moment in McLaren allowing Thomas to get back with him.

There is still a fantastic battle going on for sixth, seventh and eighth between McDonald, Hunt and Wightman all jostling for places.

Lap nine see Deviny and Thomas swap places but only for a short time as Deviny

works hard to get it back.Davies, Deviny and Thomas

lead with Billinson and Davis falling away battling for fourth but Davis is slowing quite dramatically, eventually pulling off on the grass in lap 11.

Lap 14 see Deviny develop a misfire allowing Thomas to take second and a now free Billinson to take third. Wanstall makes big mistake, ending up in the gravel at Clearways.

Deviny struggled on to finish the race in seventh, and Tom Hartwell also had to pull off on Lap 16. Davies took the chequered flag with Thomas 0.957 seconds behind and Billinson 6.853 seconds behind that.

WORDS:MarkChandler

RaceReportBrands Hatch, May 10-11, 2014


DAVIES DOMINATES AS DEVINy RETIRES











CASEy BLOW LETS ASTIN INWORDS:MarkChandler




MINI MIGLIAS: ROUND 1

A wet race for the Miglias saw Richard Casey

on pole with Dan Wheeler and Rob Howard following.

It was not a great star for either Casey or Wheeler but they managed to keep their places. From fifth place came a flying Kane Astin who came round the outside at Padock Hill Bend to take second by the time he'd got to Druids Corner. He was soon attacking Casey for first, with Wheeler, Deeth, Smith and Howard, who lost three places on the first lap, behind.

Astin made his move for the lead at Paddock Hill Bend on Lap 2, but Casey has the better line and fights off the challenge.

The safety car came out for the next three laps due to an incident with Carini.

As soon as the race restarts

Astin is looking to overtake but can't make it. In the chasing pack Aaron Smith takes Rupert Deeth and tries really hard to pass Rob Howard but can't do it this lap. His efforts were soon rewarded on the next lap with an amazing move at Druids.

A six-way pack sees Casey, Astin, Smith, Wheeler Deeth, Howard and Burge all jostling for postion over the start-finish line. Smith goes wide in a brave move and takes Astin at Paddock Hill Bend moving into second.

Deeth and Wheeler are also battling behind, with Deeth securing fourth the next time round at Paddock Hill Bend.

Lap 11 saw Aaron Smith try the same move again coming into Paddock Hill Bend but this time he was unsuccesful, coming into contact with Casey and heading into the gravel to end his race.

Richard Casey tries to carry on but severe damage forces him to retire on Hailewoods

Hill. Kane Astin now leads with

Rupert Deeth, Wheeler, Howard and Burge following. Astin has earnt some breathing space as Deeth and Wheeler scrap over second and third. Deeth defends well to keep the place.

The fantastic final laps saw Deeth and Wheeler still scrapping, but nobody can make it stick giving Astin a break to win by 0.0294 seconds in front of Deeth and Wheeler 0.0968 seconds behind.

Congratulations to Burgess for taking the Invitation Class win followed by Damon Astin.

MINIMIGLIARACE1RESULT

1 11 Kane Astin2 23 Rupert Deeth3 88 Dan Wheeler4 72 Rob Howard5 53 Niven Burge6 8 Colin Peacock












MINI SE7ENS: ROUND 2

A slow start from pole sitter Ashley Davies let Gareth

Hunt take the lead into Paddock Hill Bend but a recovering Davies retook it into Druids and put a slight gap between him and the chasing pack.

A fantastic start saw Thomas make his way from eighth on the grid up into second in just two laps, and also Deviny moving steadily from fifth to third.

Gareth Hunt and Kieren McDonald were tussling for fifth while Leon Wightman and Graeme Davis were keeping close to them, looking to steal a place or two. An opportunity opens and Davis shoots round and off after

Hunt and McDonald, who he overtakes nicely, now setting his sights on Billison.

Behind Burge, Proctor and Wanstall were fighting over ninth with Tarlton and Trench getting involved a few laps on.

Up front, Thomas was trying every move he could to get past as stubborn Ashley Davies who was having none of it until he made a mistake going into Paddock Hill Bend, ending up in the gravel and giving Thomas the lead and a determined Deviny second.

Back-marker Hopper had a moment at Graham Hill Bend in front of the two leading cars, both managed to get round safely but it had allowed Deviny to catch Thomas. Great defending from Thomas meant that whatever Deviny

tried he just couldn’t get past, allowing Thomas to take the win just 0.161 seconds in front and Daves third, 18 seconds behind that, with Hunt, McDonald, Wightman, Tarlton and Proctor finishing off the top eight.

Tarlton had a great race starting 13th on the grid and finishing an impressive eighth and top of the 'S' class battle also with the fastest lap at 1.02.108.

MINISE7ENRACE2RESULT

1 4 Darren Thomas 2 1 Andrew Deviny3 22 Graeme Davis4 37 Gareth Hunt5 88 Kieren McDonald6 10 Leon Wightman

ThOMAS TAMES ThE PACk WORDS:MarkChandler













WORDS:MarkChandlerwww.mbracephotography.co.uk

MINI MIGLIAS: ROUND 2

Aaron Smith had a perfect start on his favourite

track, moving from the second row on the grid up to second, behind polesitter Rob Howard.

Tony Le-May and Kane Astin follow behind, and then a gap to Deeth and Coulson. Smith was racing hard to get past Howard but great defending by the race leader meant that Smith stayed in second at Graham Hill Bend.

Rupert Deeth was having a great run catching the leading four cars, whilst Mark Cowan seemed to be having problems, pulling into the pit lane and retiring from the race.

Smith is still trying to find any way he can to get past Howard, but nothing. McLaren sees Astin challenge Le-May for third but he can't make it stick and then sees himself having to defend from Deeth who is right behind him at Paddock Hill Bend.

Coulson and Peacock battling for sixth place on lap five, allowing the top five cars to pull away.

A delighted Aaron Smith finally gets the better of Rob Howard with Astin tight on Le-May’s bootlid who are both now attacking Howard for second.

Smith manages to pull ahead thanks to the battles going on behind him, and Rupert Deeth is all over the track as he looks for a way past Astin who is in third, but Astin remains firm.

Le-May pulls out at Paddock Hill Bend, to get second, as does Deeth but despite the jostling nobody can change position in the top five, but in the sixth-place battle Dan Wheeler overtakes Colin Peacock.

Howard manages to pull away from Le-May, who is losing speed, to give himself some breathing space, and Le-May pulls off before Driuds. Astin sees his chance but makes a big mistake putting a wheel in the gravel at

Clearways losing places to Deeth and Wheeler who suddenly seems to have found his speed, getting the fastest lap with a 54.956.

The last few laps see Smith, Howard and Deeth all bunch up waiting for someone to make a mistake which doesn’t happen, leaving Smith to take his first win of the year 0.626 seconds in front of Howard with his first podium and Deeth 0.847 seconds behind that.

Congratulations to Burgess who stayed out of trouble to win the Invitation Race with Warburton second the other invitation driver Damon Astin a DNF, but who managed to get the fastest lap with a 55.809.

MINIMIGLIARACE2RESULT

1 21 Aaron Smith 2 72 Rob Howard 3 23 Rupert Deeth4 88 Dan Wheeler5 11 Kane Astin 6 8 Colin Peacock



SMITh MAkES UP fOR Off IN fIRST RACE





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

1 1 Andrew DEVINY 20 19 14 19 72

2 88 Kieren MCDONALD 15 16 16 16 63

3 4 Darren THOMAS 1 20 19 20 60

4 10 Leon WIGHTMAN 13 15 15 15 58

5 22 Graeme DAVIS 18 17 1 18 54

6 5 Ashley DAVIES 19 11 20 1 51

7 59 Julian PROCTOR 12 14 10 13 49

8 73 Spencer WANSTALL 14 18 1 11 44

9 49 Ross BILLISON 17 1 18 1 37

10 69 Steve TRENCH 11 13 12 1 37

11 37 Gareth HUNT 1 0 17 17 35

12 91 Shaun TARLTON 1 12 1 14 28

13 52 Nathan BURGE 13 12 25

14 38 Steven HOPPER 11 10 21

15 92 Kevin O’SHEA 10 10 20

16 63 David ROBINSON 9 9 18

17 90 Ian DEVINY 16 1 17

18 23 Jabez DYER 1 1 2

19 89 Tom HARTWELL 1 1 2

20 60 Malcolm KEAT 1 0 1

21 96 Matthew GLEAVE 1 0 1

Entered 17 17 16 16

Practiced 17 17 16 16

Started 17 14 16 16

Finished 11 11 12 12

1 Castle Combe 21 April FL: D Thomas Pole: G Hunt Spax Improver: S Trench (+6) 2 Castle Combe 21 April FL: G Davis Pole: A Deviny Spax Improver: S Wanstall (+9) 3 Brands Hatch 10 May FL: D Thomas Pole: A Davies Spax Improver: D Thomas (+5) 4 Brands Hatch 11 May FL: A Deviny Pole: A Davies Spax Improver: D Thomas (+7)

2014 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

POINTS after Rounds 3 + 4

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

1 91 Shaun TARLTON 1 10 1 10 22

2 92 Kevin O’SHEA 8 8 16

3 90 Ian DEVINY 10 1 11


1 Castle Combe 21 April S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny

2 Castle Combe 21 April S-Class FL: K O’Shea S-Class Pole: I Deviny

3 Brands Hatch 10 May S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton 4 Brands Hatch 11 May S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton

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

1 73 Spencer WANSTALL 2 3 1 2 8

2 91 Shaun TARLTON 1 2 1 3 7

3 89 Thomas HARTWELL 1 1 2


2014 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN S-CLASS supported by MINI SPORT

2014 MINI SE7EN NOVICE

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 16 20 20 16 72

2 88 Dan WHEELER 20 17 18 17 72

3 72 Rob HOWARD 10 13 17 19 59

4 8 Colin PEACOCK 14 14 15 15 58

5 23 Rupert DEETH 19 1 19 18 57

6 69 Tony LE MAY 17 19 14 1 51

7 47 James B COULSON 12 16 1 14 43

8 42 Paul SIMMONDS 13 1 13 13 40

9 29 Dave DREW 18 18 0 0 36

10 37 Richard CASEY 15 15 1 0 31

11 85 Sam SUMMERHAYES 1 12 1 12 26

12 55 Michael GREEN 1 11 12 1 25

13 21 Aaron SMITH 0 1 1 20 22

14 53 Niven BURGE 1 1 16 1 19

15 13 Phil HARVEY 11 1 12

16 99 Mark COWAN 1 1 2

Invitation

nc 102 Gary WARBURTON (7) (9) (1) (10) -

nc 118 Jason BURGESS (13) (12) -

nc 141 Damon ASTIN (11) (1) -

nc 136 Greg CARINI (1) (0) -

nc 114 Paul DE JONG w w -

Mini-7 Classic

nc 188 Ian CURLEY (9) (8) -

nc 200 Tim STANBRIDGE (8) (7) -

nc 192 Steve JONES (6) (6) -

nc 177 Bill SOLLIS (0) (10) -

nc 157 William WARD (5) (5) -

nc 771 Nick PADDY (4) (0) -

Entered 22 22 20 20

Practiced 22 22 19 19

Started 20 21 18 16

Finished 17 16 11 11

1 Castle Combe 21 April FL: R Deeth Pole: A Smith Spax Improver: R Deeth (+13) 2 Castle Combe 21 April FL: R Howard Pole: D Wheeler Spax Improver: D Drew (+6) 3 Brands Hatch 10 May FL: K Astin Pole: R Casey Spax Improver: Niv Burge (+14) 4 Brands Hatch 11 May FL: D Wheeler Pole: R Howard Spax Improver: P Simmonds (+6) * Invitation + Mini-7 Classic not eligible for Challenge points

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

2014 DUNLOP MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

2014 MINI MIGLIA NOVICE

POINTS after Rounds 3 + 4

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PhotoGalleryBrands Hatch, May 10-11, 2014All images copyright www.mbracephotography.co.uk











RACE DATES 2014Rd 1/2 April 21 Castle CombeRd 3/4 May 10/11 Brands Hatch IndyRd 5/6 May 31/June 1 Cadwell ParkRd 7/8 June 14/15 ThruxtonRd 9/10 July 10 Oulton Park (Int)Rd 11/12 August 23/24 Donington Park (Nat)Rd 13/14 September 20/21 Croft

JUNE 14-15 Round 7 & 8Thruxton CircuitAndover, Hampshire SP11 8PW01264 882 222www.thruxtonracing.co.uk

JUly 10 Round 9 & 10 Oulton Parklittle Budworth,Tarporley,Cheshire CW6 9BW01829 760301www.oultonpark.co.uk

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Race Entry

Click here to book your

entry online or download

the forms.

MAy 31 - JUNE 1 Round 5 & 6 Cadwell Parklouth, lincolnshire lN11 9SE01507 343248www.cadwellpark.co.uk

















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Race TimetableCadwellParkMay31-June1,2014

Mini7 Saturday May 31Signing on 09.15 Scrutineering 09.25 Qualifying 14.30 - 14.50Race 1 16.45 - 17.05

Sunday June 1Race 2 14.15 - 14.35

MiniMiglia Saturday May 31Signing on 08.15Scrutineering 08.25Qualifying 13.55 -14.15Race 1 15.35 -15.55

Sunday June 1Race 2 11.35 -11.55
























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NAME: LeonWightmanAGE: 40

CLASS: Se7enCARNUMBER: 10

FULLSEASON: Yes EMPLOYMENT: Plumber

SPONSORS: MiniSport,Emtome,CityPlumbing,CGClutch

RACINGHISTORY: FF1600in1998,startedinMinisin2011

BESTACHIEVEMENT: 7thinChampionship

WORSTMOMENT: CrashingatSnetterton

WINTERREBUILD/CHANGES: Newdash,ECUanddatalogger

ENGINEBUILDER: Selby

FAVOURITECIRCUIT: Donington

WORSTCIRCUIT: BrandsHatch

TEAMINFO: ALMotorsport

FAMILYINFO: 2xboysaged13and11,1xlovinggirlfriend

AIMSFOR2014: Betterseasonthanlastyear

MINI 7 RACING CLUB DRIVER PROFILE

Get Exposure!!

Promote your team and sponsors through

magazine articles. Speak to our roving

reporter.

LeonWightmanPHOTO: Josh Smith











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MINI SE7EN1 Andrew Deviny Newport Pagnell4 Darren Thomas Gloucester5 Ashley Davies Abergavenny16 Julian Affleck High Wycombe22 Graeme Davis London23 Jabez Dyer Leominster35 Paul Spark Cannock37 Gareth Hunt Coventry38 Steve Hopper Maidenhead45 Leon Wightman Dunstable46 Max Hunter Leighton Buzzard47 Kelvin Edgar Hollywell49 Ross Billison Epsom Downs59 Julian Proctor Coleford60 Malcolm Keat Bolton63 Dave Robinson Darlington69 Steve Trench Camberley73 Spencer Wanstall Newington88 Kieren McDonald Aylesbury89 Tom Hartwell Evesham

MINI SE7EN S CLASS90 Ian Deviny Lincoln91 Shaun Tarlton Northampton92 Kevin O’Shea Frome93 Roland Parsloe 96 Matthew Gleave Waltham St

Lawrence97 James Burrows Romford

MINI 7 CLASSIC157 William Ward Battle177 Bill Sollis Hildenborough188 Ian curley Maidstone

192 Steve Jones Wells200 Tim Stanbridge Stevington771 Nick Paddy

MINI MIGLIA8 Colin Peacock London11 Kane Astin Swaffham

Bulbeck13 Phil Harvey Birmingham16 Lee Jones Northolt20 Mark Sims Headley21 Aaron Smith Maidstone23 Rupert Deeth Cambridge29 Dave Drew Alton37 Richard Casey Burnley42 Paul Simmonds Collier Street43 Dave Edgecombe Ledbury44 Paul Clark Denbigh47 James Coulson London53 Niven Burge Nr Royston55 Michael Green Haverfordwest69 Tony Le May Norwich72 Rob Howard Chipperfield79 Jon Lee Wellingborough85 Sam Summerhayes Bristol88 Daniel Wheeler Olney99 Mark Cowan Benfleet

INVITATION102 Gary Warburton Frodsham141 Damon Astin Ely118 Jason Burgess Peterborough113 Rob Perkins Peterborough114 Paul De Jong Asperen, NL123 Gordon Pocock Church Westcote

know your rivalMini 7 Racing Club drivers

















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

WORDS:RichardWilliamsonPHOTOS:M7RCArchive

Mike Jackson, driving the Mikal/West Midland Engines Mini Se7en, finished second to Chris Gould at Cadwell (Photo: M+A Jackson Collection)

With the two formulae only occasionally appearing at the same meetings, just the Mini Miglias got

to appear at Cadwell during 1974 - their first time ever - on 23 June, at a Nottingham Sports Car Club-run event.

Twenty two of the 998cc Miglias were entered and 16 appeared to take on 8 laps of the 2.25-mile circuit, and by the finish Champion-to-be Russell Dell had established a new class lap record and taken his Ripspeed-backed car to a narrow victory over Phil Spurling’s Oselli-powered machine, with the top six rounded out by Philip Johnstone, Terry Hird (Team Lassman), Mike Humphrey and Gary Cashman. The latter’s Tollgate team-mate Eric Groves had started from pole position, but

dicing for third eliminated both himself and Alex Boyle (Team Lassman) in a clash at the tricky downhill Gooseneck section.

To

coincide with 25 years of the Mini, the National championships were named the Austin Mini Silver Jubilee Challenges. Just the one visit to Cadwell was arranged, on 24 June and, like this season, the meeting was organised by the BARC.

Twenty-one Mini Se7ens were entered for the 10-lapper, and taking another victory on his way to a second National title was pole-sitter Chris Gould, who fought past early challengers Colin Rodger and Graham ‘Gramps’ Woskett before taking the chequered flag less than four seconds ahead of Mike Jackson in second, and setting fastest lap too. Woskett took third, with future and past Mini Se7en Champions Russell Grady and Gary Hall (uncle of James Hall) having a good dice for fourth, and Rodger in sixth with a flapping bonnet.

Topping the 20-car Mini Miglia entry after qualifying was 1983 Champion Chris Lewis, with Champion elect Mike Fry alongside on the front row of the 2x2 grid, with Jim McDougall and Gerald Dale on row 2. Unfortunately, the previous race was red-flagged due to a serious accident, and after the medical team had gone off to hospital with the injured driver, this left the circuit short of the pre-requisite number of doctors to be able to continue the meeting before the curfew, so the Miglia race was abandoned before it even started.







40 Years ago

1974 - Mini Se7en of Jim Robertson was part of Ripspeed-backed team, which included the title-winning Mini Miglia of Russell Dell, who also won at Cadwell (photo: J Robertson Collection)

VOLUME 4 THE ENDURING EIGHTIES: 1981-1985

TheThe Mini Mini 77 RacingRacing

ArchiveArchive

19841984

A history of the UK’s longestA history of the UK’s longest--runningrunning oneone--make saloon car race seriesmake saloon car race series

Silver Jubliee successSilver Jubliee success Fry’s delight + Gould’s goldFry’s delight + Gould’s gold

www.mini7.co.uk Issue 19 / 1984

+ All the...+ All the... CarsCars DriversDrivers CircuitsCircuits ReportsReports ResultsResults PhotosPhotos

Quarter Century for Mini 7 ActionQuarter Century for Mini 7 Action

●● Austin returns as title sponsor in Mini’s 25th yearAustin returns as title sponsor in Mini’s 25th year ●● National and Southern series fully competitiveNational and Southern series fully competitive ●● Mini Se7ens debut on Brands GP circuitMini Se7ens debut on Brands GP circuit ●● Irish MiniIrish Mini --7 Club races twice in UK7 Club races twice in UK

Going PlacesGoing Places

● Mallory Park● Mallory Park ● Snetterton● Snetterton ● Thruxton● Thruxton ● Brands Hatch● Brands Hatch ● Silverstone● Silverstone ● Oulton Park● Oulton Park ● Castle Combe● Castle Combe ● Cadwell Park● Cadwell Park ● Donington Park● Donington Park ● Lydden● Lydden

30 Years ago




20 Years ago Two decades

ago the then-named

Unipart-DCM National Challenges drew huge entries to the British Nationals meeting on 17 July, part of the Best of British (BBM) package that RoverSport, in conjunction with the BRDC, was running at the time although this meeting was actually organised at a local level by the BRSCC North.

With a grid limit of 24, the superb 35-car Mini Se7en entry was afforded two timed practice sessions, with the fastest half-dozen from each automatically going through to the final, and the remaining 23 scrapping it out in the qualifying race for the remaining dozen spots up for grabs. And this was no backmarker consolation either, with the front two rows filled by Neil Johnson, Phil Manser, Steve Bell and Dave Braggins! In the 8-lap race less than 1.8 secs covered the first three of

Braggins, Manser and Bell, with Johnson taking fifth behind Mickey Bray, and Andy Burge (brother of Niven) in sixth.

The 10-lap final oozed quality, and resulted in a very narrow win for Ian Curley (currently racing to promote the new Mini-7 Classic initiative) from Kelly Rogers, although the latter was docked 10 seconds for a jump start dropping him to sixth, leaving the runner-up spot to Curley’s team-mate Matthew Hayman. Of the rest, Manser climbed up to a worthy fifth place just behind Genny Cooke in fourth (daughter of current Chairman, Nick) and Dave Banwell inheriting the final podium position, while both Bell and Braggins dropped to the rear of the field after running in the lead bunch, the latter having the distinction of equalling his new lap record set in the earlier race. Mike Jackson and Rob Selby retired early on while another name competing back then was

Tim Stanbridge who, like Curley, is also racing Mini-7 Classic in 2014.

The Mini Miglia field had just the one race for its 24-car entry and, like the Se7ens, it was very competitive up at the sharp end. Reigning

Champion Ian Gunn (later to become the current Chairman’s son-in-law!) took pole position from former multi-title winner Chris Lewis, but in the race these positions were reversed, while the scrap for third between Bill Sollis and Stewart Drake ended with Sollis in the tyres on the last lap and Drake limping across the line, leaving fourth spot to Tony Hobbs from Graham Penn and Gordon Pocock. Other names still around the Mini paddocks today included Bob Humphreys, Richard Wager and Phil Harvey, while rounding out the field was US serviceman Ron Graham in the car made famous in the pages of Cars & Car Conversions (CCC) magazine by the late Clive Trickey, and which competed in the first season of Mini Miglia in 1970.

From the Archives: Cadwell Park: 20, 30, 40 years ago







1994 – Diane Craven was one of two female drivers in the Mini Se7en event

10 Years agoCadwell Park

wasn’t on the M7RC

calendar for 2004 and in fact did not visit for seven seasons between 2002-2009.

Nick Maylor’s Mini Se7en, one of only two non-starters from a 35-car entry!




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

















2013 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 grady1985 Russell grady Mike Fry1984 Chris gould Mike Fry

1983 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




















SPONSORS


DOUBLE CIrCUIT aCTION aT BraNDs aND OULTON mINIfEsTs

Track fans are being served up a double treat this year. To mark the Mini’s 55th anniversary, track owners MSV are

expanding their popular Mini Festival event to two events at two different tracks.

Brands Hatch in Kent, will play host to the first Festival on May 11, with Mini drivers offered free entry if they book through the website.

The larger event of the two will take place at Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit where there promises to be lots of entertainment to enjoy both on and off the track.

www.mini-festival.co.uk

extra Curricular activity

CasTLE COmBE aCTION Day

Popular Wiltshire circuit, Castle Combe has announced the date of its annual Miniworld

sponsored Mini Action Day.Keep your diaries free for September

27 where for an action-packed day with charity Mini rides, trade and club stands and a track parade.

www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk

SaTuRdaY SePTeMBeR 27, 2014

BRaNdS haTCh SuNdaY MaY 11, 2014OuLTON PaRK SaTuRdaY JuLY 12, 2014

sILvErsTONE CLassIC

Classic car fans flock to Silverstone every year for this very special event. And every year there is a

stunning collection of Minis on display as well as lots more entertainment on the circuit and in the paddock

www.silverstoneclassic.com

JuLY 25-27, 2014
























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 Contacts


M7RCNEWSLETTEREDITORIALTEAM

EDITORCraig [email protected]

PHOtOSMatthew Barringtonwww.mbracephotography.co.uk

WORdS Richard [email protected]

REPORTERSMark Chandler & Jamie Snelling











Documents

M7RC Newsletter - Issue 3