m7rc newsletter issue 4

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love:minilove:minimagazine

www.mbracephotography.co.uk

DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

After two years away, the Mini Se7en Racing Club returns to the Cheshire

track, this time on the full 2.69-mile International circuit which the 1.0-litre Se7ens and 1.3-litre Miglias last raced on in 2003. For the second of this year’s Mini Racing Festivals, a strong entry is expected and action guaranteed in a pair of double-header races for both classes.

MINI SE7ENJust when it seemed reigning Champion Andrew Deviny had

found unbeatable form after the first three meetings of the season, his title bid was reined-in at Thruxton last month by closest challenger Darren Thomas. The latter took victory in Round 8 on the Sunday after Deviny had led him past the chequered flag to take his third win on the trot in Round 7 the day before.

They were joined at the head of the field by ex-triple champion, Paul Spark, who scored a competitive second place on his seasonal meeting debut, this after

Issue 4: July 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 9&10 oulton PArK july 12WORDS:RichardWilliamson

2014

LaP ReCORd: andrew deviny TIMe. 2:11.015 ave. 73.97 mph on 13 July 2003

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 july 2014 issue 4

a car-damaging off in the opener on the Saturday when Ashley Davies’ engine let go right in front of him and dumped its oil. However, such is the camaraderie within the club that Spark was able to borrow a subframe off off race rival Thomas to compete the next day.

Behind Deviny and Thomas in the points standings, Kieren McDonald chalked up another pair of solid top-five finishes, avoiding a couple of incidents in which several cars were eliminated, none more serious looking than Ross Billison’s trip into the pit straight Armco after the car in front got out of shape exiting the chicane. Thankfully it was more metal and pride that was hurt than the driver, although it will be a challenge to have the car ready for

Oulton. Davies recovered from his loss

of oil to take a welcome fourth on the Sunday, while in the lesser-tuned S-Class, Shaun Tarlton retained his points lead despite an unavoidable collision in the second race with former S-Class champ’ Julian Proctor.

Predicting the final Mini Se7en result isn’t easy, but with Spark a winner here two years ago, race favourites Deviny and Thomas will certainly have their hands full as not only Spark but up to half-a-dozen would-be race winners tag along behind like a swarm of angry wasps. And with two races in a day on the undulating Cheshire track, there will be double the dose of excitement from the 110 mph buzz-bombs. Se7en heaven!






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MINI MIgLIa ReCORdS & ReguLaTIONS

LaP ReCORd: Bill Sollis TIMe. 1:58.674 ave. 81.66 mph on 13 July 2003

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

Note: Trophies to top three finishers

MINI MIGLIA

Having gone to Thruxton last month trailing in

the overall standings by two points to Dan Wheeler, Kane Astin reversed that gap with his third win of the year despite an added 2-second penalty for hopping across the last corner chicane in Round 8 on the Sunday.

He backed that up with a strong

second in Saturday’s Round 7 opener behind the on-form Rupert Deeth, the latter adding to his debut win at Cadwell in Round 6 a fortnight beforehand, whilst Wheeler’s best (in the car that Mini racing legend Peter Baldwin took to last year’s title) was a second place, dropping him behind Astin in the standings. Mini racing veteran Tony Le May had looked well placed for a double podium finish for the weekend until pulling in to retire, which dropped him behind Colin Peacock in the Challenge points, while others on the fringes of the top six include James Coulson, Aaron Smith, Dave Drew and Rob Howard, all of whom have had turns running up the front this season.

Around the picturesque Cheshire

venue, you can expect the 125 mph Mini Miglias to put on a fabulous display of close racing, jostling for position in the all-important dash to the flag. If the sun’s out, grab yourself an ice cream (or a long, cool drink) and find one of the many excellent viewing spots to watch what promise to be a pair of flat-out, action-packed sprint races. Mig-nificent!







INVITATION Class

A Mini Invitation class, running on the same grid as the Mini Miglias, allows for a variety of A-Series engined Mini contenders from other motorsport disciplines, and this season has seen several regular contenders, including locally based Gary Warburton in his 1380cc example.

INvITaTION CLaSS ReCORdS & ReguLaTIONS

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

Note: Invitation class intended to start on the Mini Mi-glia 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…

The Cadwell Park and Thruxton meetings have been and gone and we’re on the ‘last knockings’ for

the MSV Mini Festival at Oulton Park. What a lovely, typical British Circuit Cadwell is!

Now much has been said about the low ‘turnout’ at Cadwell, so without labouring the subject and hopefully not giving an impression of doom and gloom, let’s hope that grid sizes will be improved for our next round. I’m sure the reasons for these ‘low-ish’ grid sizes are varied... the general increased cost of racing, the cost of entry fees, maybe our race meetings are too close together etc. On the last reason, given by some Members, when the provisional race calendar was released at the AGM, there weren’t any adverse comments about the spacing between events.

Yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing. To inform you all, a ‘special’ Committee meeting was called on July 9th, the main purpose is to openly discuss the future of the Classics {several ex M7RC Members, who now race Classics are being invited} and secondly, to see if there is anything that the M7RC Committee can do to increase the grid sizes of the Mini 7’s and Miglias. If any of you have ideas, we have had a few, please let me or any Members of the Committee know your suggestion{s}. I have to say that we are still not at the low levels of some grids - one race at Thruxton had nine cars participating... but

it would be foolish to turn a blind eye to what is happening. There is one thing for sure; the MSA will be monitoring our entry levels very closely!

Another unfortunate situation that occurred at Thruxton was paddock behaviour on the Saturday night. Now when we {the Cooke family} were racing {a while ago now}, some inconsiderate people let their generators run, even though they were not required. This was easily sorted, by switching them off! I’m not talking about this in this instance. This time around it was a case of some of our Members having, no doubt, had too much to drink, disturbing other Club Members {up to 2 o’clock in the morning I gather}. It is totally and utterly inconsiderate, is the only way it can be described. Please.......... don’t do it again or action will be taken! On an even more concerning aspect..... are

some drivers indulging in too much alcohol ‘the night before’ a race? Worrying if so...... I have asked Steve Prior to keep an eye on this topic.

I’m feeling, at this stage in my ‘chat’, that I’m taking on the role of ‘big brother’; I hastily add, I hope this isn’t something I need to do in the future. I still enjoy attending the meetings, talking to the Members and trying to overcome any problems that exist. Let’s hope that the next meeting is quiet and peaceful in the paddock, during the night / late evening.

See you all at Oulton Park

NickNick CookeChairman M7RC







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









MINI SE7ENS: RACE 1

A very expensive free practice Saturday morning meant

that Gareth Hunt and Leon Wightman did not make the grid. Championship leader Andrew Deviny started on pole with Darren Thomas, Ashley Davies and Graeme Davis behind.

It was a great start for Deviny and Davis, who was trying to slot into second but couldn’t quite get there, taking third until he challenged again going into Park and this time making it stick. This gave Deviny chance to get away and take a good lead. With a train comprising of Davis Thomas, Davies, Billison and McDonald following behind. Proctor didn’t get off to a good start and pulled off at the start of lap 2.

On the same lap Davies tried to get past Thomas in the

Mountain but Thomas wasn’t letting him past, until the Start/Finish straight where Davies’ speed paid off and he got by.

Davis, Davies and Thomas were all together all the way through Chris Curve, Gooseneck and Mansfield but nobody could make the position changes stick.

Problems then arose for Ashley Davies as he doesn’t make it over the start finish line giving Thomas the third place back, with McDonald and Billison side by side fighting for fourth and fifth then a gap and Ian Deviny and Shaun Tarlton battling for sixth and seventh respectively.

Lap four saw McDonald and Billison catch the second and third cars making it a four-car battle, but a big mistake sent Thomas and McDonald spinning at the Gooseneck. A good recovery saw Thomas get back on track

behind Billison into fourth but McDonald kept falling back letting Ian Deviny and Tarlton through.

The last lap was a thriller with Thomas catching up and Billison side by side with Davis at Coppice, but great defending meant that Davis kept the place - which is how it stayed until they went into the trees between the hairpin and the Barn, Thomas and Davis touch and Davis ends up in the wall.

Andrew Deviny takes first and the fastest lap, Thomas is second 2.750secs behind and Davis 0.901 seconds later for third.

WORDS:MarkChandler


RubbING ANd TIGhT TuSSLES

RaceReportRound 5Cadwell Park May 31 - June 1, 2014

MINISE7ENROUND5RESULT

1 1 Andrew Deviny2 4 Darren Thomas3 22 Graeme Davis4 49 Ross Billison5 90 Ian Deviny6 91 Shaun Tarlton







MINI MIGLIAS: RACE 1

Aaron Smith and James Coulson made it to the

grid with seconds to spare after crashing out in free practice, well done to both teams for the massive effort.

Pole postion went to championship leader Dan Wheeler with Rupert Deeth Kane Astin and Colin Peacock behind. Rob Howard got a 10-second penalty and had to start from the back of the grid.

A great start for Deeth saw him take the lead with Wheeler, Astin, Peacock and Le May behind. Smith is making progress too already up to seventh.

It is a four car train up at the front with Astin on Wheeler’s bootlid and Le May not letting them get away.

Problems for Deeth arose on lap four as Wheeler, Astin, LeMay and Peacock all go past

into Charlies.Astin mades a challenge at

the bottom of the hill coming into Mansfield but Wheeler makes sure there is no way past.

The top four pulled away leaving a long gap back to Coulson, Smith, a fast dropping Deeth and Cowan then another gap to Howard and Willburton.

Deeth finally pulls off - the problems are terminal.

Up front Le May catches the top two into the Mountain closely followed by Peacock.

Astin is putting great pressure on Wheeler as is Peacock on Le May until he makes a mistake letting Le May get away.

Astin is not going to let Wheeler get away with this looking every way he can to get round, getting as close as side by side at times, but he just cannot make any of these moves stick.

The race finishes with Wheeler in first, Astin 0.271 sec behind then Le May 3.911sec, with Wheeler taking fastest lap.

WORDS:MarkChandler




MINIMIGLIAROUND5RESULT

1 88 Dan Wheeler2 11 Kane Astin3 69 Tony Le May4 8 Colin Peacock5 47 James Coulson6 21 Aaron Smith

WhEELER fIGhTS Of ASTIN ASSAuLT







MINI SE7ENS: RACE 2

Ashely Davies just made it to the grid after the

team spent all night rebuilding the car. He finally appears but goes into the pit lane after breaking down on the collection lap and will start from there.

Andrew Deviny and Darren Thomas started from the front row with Davis on his own on row two.

It was a great start from the front row keeping together, but Deviny got the lead with Thomas, Davis and Billison behind. Davies made excellent progress from the pit lane overtaking O’Shea in the first lap and putting his sights on the pack.

Deviny is still leading with Billison making a play for fourth but cannot make it stick.

Thomas is hanging onto the tail of Deviny with Davis, Billison and McDonald behind and Ian Deviney, Tarlton and Davies behind them.

Through Copis Thomas was catching Deviny making him defend but keeping his place. Meanwhile Davies pulls off a fantastic move and overtakes Tarlton putting himself into sixth, and on to Ian Deviny.

The top two are making a break leaving a gap before Davis, Billison and McDonald then a gap before very determind Davies who has now overtaken Ian Deviny.

Davis doesn’t seem to be able to catch the leading pair on lap 5, having his own battle with Billison and McDonald. Ashley Davies is another eight seconds behind in sixth place in front of Ian Deviny, Tarlton, Trench, Proctor, Edgar and Keat who all only have five

seconds between them.Two laps to go and Deviny

has a three second lead and Billison has made up time in fourth, while Davies is still trying to catch leading pack.

Edgar makes a play for 10th against Proctor but is shrugged off.

Deviny takes the win with Thomas 8.568 seconds behind and Davis 15.686 seconds behind. Fastest lap was Thomas with a 1.50.448.

Well done to Ashley Davies for finishing fifth after starting from the pit lane.


RAPId REbuILd ANd hEfTy LEAdWORDS:MarkChandler




1 1 Andrew Deviny2 4 Darren Thomas3 22 Graeme Davis4 49 Ross Billison5 88 Kieren McDonald6 5 Ashley Davies








A dreadful start for Dan Wheeler gave Rupert

Deeth the lead in the second race of the weekend followed by Astin and Le May.

A great recovery by Wheeler saw him take third by the Mountain making it a great three-car train round the track followed by Peacock in fifth Smith, Coulson, Warburton and Howard, who again had a 10-second penalty.

The Park straight sees Le May and Peacock have a great battle for fourth and fifth but the order stays the same. But then there seems to be a problem for Peacock as Smith and Coulson get past.

Astin challenges for the lead but great defending from Deeth means he cannot get past but this does allow Le May to catch the leading pack.

Now Wheeler is looking all

ways at Copis but Astin shuts the door. All this fighting at the top has given the rest a chance to catch up making it a rarely-seen eight car train.

Wheeler goes round the outside out of Mansfield to take second from Astin heading determinedly for Deeth leaving Astin looking everywhere to try and get the place back while having to defend all the time from Le May. The cars are so close it could be anybody’s, everyone is waiting, hoping somebody makes a mistake.

Wheeler makes another challenge at the start/finish straight but great defending from Deeth means he can’t get past but it doesn’t stop him trying again at Gooseneck with similar results. This has given Astin time to get on Wheeler’s tail at the bottom of the Mountain but Wheeler has the better exit and keeps the

place, giving Deeth a bit of a breathing space out in front.

The train of eight all jostle for position but no places change. The last lap sees the last chance for everyone to have a go. Wheeler is looking round every side of Deeth but there is just no way past. Astin is also having to defend well from Le May who is on his case.

A great drive from Deeth sees him take his first place and achieve his aim for 2014, with Wheeler 0.365sec behind and Astin 0.588 behind that. Fastest lap went to Coulson with a 1.41.497 lap.

WORDS:MarkChandler www.mbracephotography.co.uk


bIG bATTLES, GREAT dEfENdING



1 23 Rupert Deeth2 88 Dan Wheeler 3 11 Kane Astin4 69 Tony Le May5 21 Aaron Smith6 8 Colin Peacock







MINI SE7ENS: RACE 1

A returning Paul Spark qualified second to start behind

Andrew Deviny with Ashley Davies and, with Spencer Wanstall who qualified fifth in the late Graham Edwards car that his dad, Mark Wanstall. has rebuilt.

A great start for polesitter Deviny but Sparks was not so lucky losing a second to Davies but regaining it at Brooklands.

Lap two saw Spark right on

Deviny’s heels but also having to be careful as Davies is sitting on his bootlid. Wanstall has been dropped by the leading three but has Darren Thomas sitting behind him.

At Brooklands Deviny loses the lead to Spark and Wanstall loses fourth to Thomas. Deviny gets lead back into Seagrave only to lose it again by Club.Billison and McDonald are quickly catching the leading group.

Lap four saw it all change again at the top of the track

with Davies taking the lead and Deviny, Spark and Thomas following.

Into Church Corner it is all change again with Deviny with Davies, Spark and Thomas having a great race behind, then a gap to another great battle between Billison, McDonald, Davies and Wanstall fighting for fifth.

Lap six sees yellow flags at Mallards and no Spark or Davies as the safety car pulls them all together for the start of lap seven. After a lap under the safety car the chequered flag comes out with Deviny taking the win Thomas second and Billison third.

www.mbracephotography.co.ukWORDS:MarkChandler


SPARkEd OuT ON fINAL LAPS

RaceReportRound 7Thruxton, June 14-15, 2014


1 1 Andrew Deviny2 4 Darren Thomas3 49 Ross Billison4 88 Kieren McDonald5 22 Graeme Davis6 10 Leon Wightman







ThRILLS & OIL SPILLSWORDS:MarkChandler

www.mbracephotography.co.ukDUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT



1 23 Rupert Deeth2 11 Kane Astin3 69 Tony Le May4 47 James Coulson5 88 Dan Wheeler6 21 Aaron Smith


Rupert Deeth has had a great start from pole, with James Coulson,

Kane Astin and Dan Wheeler behind.

Coulson had a really terrible start ending up in ninth. Astin quickly caught Deeth and sat in his slip stream ready for an overtake but great defending means Deeth keeps the lead.

Tony Le May is all over the grass but makes it back on the track in one piece, while Coulson is recovering and has fought his way back up the field - now in fourth with Smith and Peacock behind him.

Lap three saw Wheeler catching the leading pair making it a three car battle. through Club. Astin takes a really wide line but can’t get

past Deeth. Peacock is also looking at Aaron Smith and takes fifth.

Lap five see the leading three followed by Coulson then a gap before Smith who is leading the next pack of Minis.

Through Church on lap six Deeth gives Astin a turn to punch a hole through the air in the lead, only to power past him again with the ex Owens championship-winning engine showing its strength.

Colin Peacock pulled off the track just before Club on lap six, bringing the yellow flags out at one of the best overtaking spots. Going into Club there is contact between Wheeler and Coulson, Wheeler spins and ends up down the field. Further back Dave Drew looks like he has blown his engine, putting oil down at Club too. Rob Howard catches

the spill and ends up in the tyres.

Church sees Deeth in the lead on lap eight with a spinning Astin behind who does very well to keep it on the track and stay second. Le-May has third with Coulson on his heels for fourth. This is how it finishes with Deeth first, Astin second 4.928 seconds behind then Le May 0.954 seconds behind that. Wheeler can be happy with his fastest lap at 1.29.718 but not his fifth place finish.








MINI SE7ENS: RACE 2

Race two was red flagged on lap two after an

incident between Ross Billison and Ashley Davies. The race was restarted but without Billison, Proctor, Robinson, Wanstall and Tarlton on the grid for an eight lap race.

It was a great start for Darren Thomas with Paul Spark, Davies and Deviny behind. Deviny is all over Spark but great defending means he can’t get past.

Into Campbell Corner Deviny makes a brave move up the inside and somehow gets past Spark for second.

Nobel sees Deviny retake the lead but only until Woodhill where he finds himself in third after a brilliant move from both Thomas and Spark.

In the Complex all three are on top of each other now, joined by Davies. By the time they all finish fighting Deviny has second Davies third and Spark finds himself in fourth.

Lap four sees Deviny come round Campbell with the lead, Spark takes the inside line and retaking third.

They are three wide through Club with slight contact between Spark and Thomas allowing Deviny to get a couple of car lengths away.

Davis and McDonald have managed to catch Davies in fourth with Wightman close behind. And Edgar and Keat are having their own battle for ninth.

Lap six sees Deviny successfully fight for the lead into Campbell.

Thomas try the outside line at Church but they stay side

by side into Brooklands but Deviny has the better line and keeps the lead.

The last lap see first and second swap places and swap back again. Thomas leads out of the Club into Campbell, Spark then goes through the middle taking second away from Deviny.

Thomas gets first with Sparks 0.892 sec behind and Deviny 0.129 second later followed by Davies. Fastest lap also went to Thomas.

ThOMAS PICkS hIS MOMENTWORDS:MarkChandler




1 4 Darren Thomas2 35 Paul Spark3 1 Andrew Deviny4 5 Ashley Davies5 10 Leon Wightman6 88 Kieren McDonald







WORDS:MarkChandler www.mbracephotography.co.uk


Back on pole for the second race was Rupert Deeth,

with James Coulson, Kane Astin and Dan Wheeler behind.

It was a good start for Deeth and a better one for Coulson but it was a flying Kane Astin who went straight into second with Coulson and Wheeler behind.

Astin is really applying the pressure on lap 2 but can’t get past, but Wheeler makes it past Coulson and is catching up with the leaders. Again, Deeth leads and the rest fall back.

They are all looking for a way past each other at Campbell but no places change and the squabbling four gives Aaron Smith a chance to catch up.

Church corner sees them all very close, Wheeler makes a charge into Club and comes into contact with Astin but still no places change. Coulson has

a problem and pulls off.Colin Peacock has made it

up to fifth with Dave Drew, Sam Summerhayes and Rob Howard all following behind.

Lap four sees great defending from Deeth to keep a tight hold of his first place with Astin and Wheeler hot on his heels.

The leading three are still nose-to-tail and nobody seems willing to make their move just yet, but behind Peacock has taken fourth from Smith.

Lap seven sees Wheeler take up the challenge into Club with him going up the inside pushing Astin out onto the grass which he holds well only losing one place down to third. Smith and Le May both have problems one pulling off and one crawling down the pit lane.

On lap eight it’s Astin’s turn to put the pressure on Wheeler who is closing in on Deeth. Campbell sees Wheeler try

again, with more contact, just with Deeth this time and he pushes his way into the lead.

Deeth also under attack from Astin at Seagrove and loses second. At Club Wheeler finds Astin on him and they are side by side, but a great move from Deeth see him go round the outside to take first. Into Complex Wheeler goes for the inside but Deeth shuts the door. Allard sees Wheeler pull out and Astin on the outside, everyone brakes late but Astin bounces over the kerb and takes first with Wheeler 0.626 seconds behind and Deeth 0.867 seconds later.


1 11 Kane Astin2 88 Dan Wheeler3 23 Rupert Deeth4 8 Colin Peacock5 29 Dave Drew6 85 Sam Summerhayes


GuTSy ASTIN bREAkS ThE dEAdLOCk


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 20 20 20 18 150

2 4 Darren THOMAS 1 20 19 20 19 19 19 20 137

3 88 Kieren MCDONALD 15 16 16 16 14 16 17 15 125

4 22 Graeme DAVIS 18 17 1 18 18 18 16 1 107

5 49 Ross BILLISON 17 1 18 1 17 17 18 1 90

6 10 Leon WIGHTMAN 13 15 15 15 0 0 15 16 89

7 69 Steve TRENCH 11 13 12 1 10 12 14 14 87

8 5 Ashley DAVIES 19 11 20 1 1 15 1 17 85

9 59 Julian PROCTOR 12 14 10 13 1 11 13 1 75

10 91 Shaun TARLTON 1 12 1 14 15 13 12 1 69

11 92 Kevin O’SHEA 10 10 11 7 10 11 59

12 73 Spencer WANSTALL 14 18 1 11 7 1 52

13 90 Ian DEVINY 16 1 16 14 47

14 63 David ROBINSON 9 9 9 8 11 1 47

15 47 Kelvin EDGAR 13 10 8 13 44

16 60 Malcolm KEAT 1 0 12 9 9 12 43

17 37 Gareth HUNT 1 0 17 17 0 0 35

18 52 Nathan BURGE 13 12 25

19 38 Steven HOPPER 11 10 21

20 35 Paul SPARK 1 19 20

21 23 Jabez DYER 1 1 2

22 89 Tom HARTWELL 1 1 2

23 96 Matthew GLEAVE 1 0 1

Entered 17 17 16 16 16 16

Practiced 17 17 16 16 16 16 16 16

Started 17 14 16 16 14 14 16 16

Finished 11 11 12 12 12 14 14 10

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) 5 Cadwell Park 31 May FL: A Deviny Pole: A Deviny Spax Improver: K O’Shea (+3) 6 Cadwell Park 1 June FL: D Thomas Pole: A Deviny Spax Improver: J Proctor (+4) 7 Thruxton 14 June FL: P Spark Pole: A Deviny Spax Improver: R Billison (+6) 8 Thruxton 15 June FL: D Thomas Pole: A Deviny Spax Improver: K Edgar (+8)

2014 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

POINTS after Round 7 + 8

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 19 18 19 20 148

2 88 Dan WHEELER 20 17 18 17 20 19 16 19 146

3 23 Rupert DEETH 19 1 19 18 1 20 20 18 116

4 8 Colin PEACOCK 14 14 15 15 17 15 1 17 108

5 69 Tony LE MAY 17 19 14 1 18 17 18 1 105

6 72 Rob HOWARD 10 13 17 19 14 13 1 14 101

7 47 James B COULSON 12 16 1 14 16 1 17 1 78

8 21 Aaron SMITH 0 1 1 20 15 16 15 1 69

9 85 Sam SUMMERHAYES 1 12 1 12 14 15 55

10 29 Dave DREW 18 18 0 0 1 16 53

11 42 Paul SIMMONDS 13 1 13 13 0 0 40

12 37 Richard CASEY 15 15 1 0 31

13 99 Mark COWAN 1 1 13 14 29

14 55 Michael GREEN 1 11 12 1 25

15 53 Niven BURGE 1 1 16 1 19

16 13 Phil HARVEY 11 1 12

Invitation

nc 102 Gary WARBURTON (7) (9) (1) (10) (1) (12) -

nc 118 Jason BURGESS (13) (12) (0) (13) -

nc 113 Rob PERKINS (13) (0) -

nc 141 Damon ASTIN (11) (1) -

nc 136 Greg CARINI (1) (0) -

nc 114 Paul DE JONG w w -

Entered 22 22 20 20 10 10

Practiced 22 22 19 19 10 10 13 13

Started 20 21 18 16 10 10 11 11

Finished 17 16 11 11 8 9 8 8

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) 5 Cadwell Park 31 May FL: D Wheeler Pole: D Wheeler Spax Improver: J Coulson (+3) 6 Cadwell Park 1 June FL: J Coulson Pole: D Wheeler Spax Improver: A Smith (+4) 7 Thruxton 14 June FL: D Wheeler Pole: R Deeth Spax Improver: T Le May (+4) 8 Thruxton 15 June FL: D Wheeler Pole: R Deeth Spax Improver: S Summerhayes (+5) * Invitation class not eligible for Challenge points

2014 DUNLOP MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

POINTS after Round 7 + 8


SPONSORS








PhotoGalleryCadwell Park, May 31 - June 1, 2014All images copyright www.mbracephotography.co.uk

SPONSORS



PhotoGalleryThruxton, June 14-15, 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 12 Oulton Park (Int)Rd 11/12 August 23/24 Donington Park (Nat)Rd 13/14 September 20/21 Croft

AUGUST 23-24Round 11 & 12Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP01332 810048www.donington-park.co.uk

JUly 12 Round 9 & 10 Oulton Parklittle Budworth,Tarporley,Cheshire CW6 9BW01829 760301www.oultonpark.co.uk

SPONSORS



Race Entry

Click here to book your

entry online or download

the forms.

FINAl ROUNDSSEPTEMBER 20-21Round 13 & 14 Croft CircuitWest laneDalton On TeesNorth yorkshireDl2 2Pl01325 721815www.croftcircuit.co.uk







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Race TimetableOultonParkJuly12,2014

Miglia Qualifying 08.30

Mini Se7en Qualifying 10.00

Miglia Race 1 11.30

Se7ens Race 1 12.40

Miglia Race 2 15.00

Se7ens Race 2 16.05














SPONSORS


NAME: SpencerWanstallAGE: 18CLASS: Se7enCARNUMBER: 73FULLSEASON: Yes LOCATION: KentEMPLOYMENT: RestaurantManager/

StudentSPONSORS: RightlineMotorsport,Vickers,CurleyUK,GraemeDavis,DynoSolutions,

RACINGHISTORY: 2ndinBritishAutograssSeries2010;KentAutograssChampiontwoyearsrunning;JuniorKentAutograssChampion

BESTACHIEVEMENT: 2ndinBritishAutograssSeries2010

WORSTMOMENT: Barrel-rollingthecarsixtimesatScunthorpein2010

CARHISTORY: PreviouslyPaulThompson’sChampionship-winningMini.DrivenbyAutosport’sBenAnderson

WINTERREBUILD/CHANGES: RebuiltenginebyPeterVickers

ENGINEBUILDER: PeterVickers

FAVOURITECIRCUIT: BrandsHatch

WORSTCIRCUIT: Don’tknowyet!

TEAMINFO: RightlineMotorsport

FAMILYINFO: DadpreviouslyracedragbikesandMini7.SisterracesAutograss.Mumgardens.

AIMSFOR2014: Top10finish

MINI 7 RACING CLUB DRIVER PROFILE

Get Exposure!!

Promote your team and sponsors through

magazine articles. Speak to our roving

reporter.

SpencerWanstall


SPONSORS


NAME: ColinPeacockAGE: 50CLASS: MigliaCARNUMBER: 8FULLSEASON: Yes EMPLOYMENT: Self-employed

RACINGHISTORY: 1987-94Karting;Minissince1997

OTHERHOBBIES: Arsenal;5-a-sidefootball

BESTACHIEVEMENT: 2xWins,2x2ndpositioninfinalChampionshipstandings

WORSTMOMENT: LeadingatThruxtononthelastlapandfinisingfifth!

CARHISTORY: Built2001

WINTERREBUILD/CHANGES: KADEngine

ENGINEBUILDER: KAD

FAVOURITECIRCUIT: OultonPark

WORSTCIRCUIT: Rockingham

TEAMINFO: LeighDale

FAMILYINFO: Wife-Deborah;threechildren-Hope,Innes,Hannah

AIMSFOR2014: Winthetitle!

MINI 7 RACING CLUB DRIVER PROFILE

Get Exposure!!

Promote your team and sponsors through

magazine articles. Speak to our roving

reporter.

ColinPeacock







SPONSORS



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: Oulton Park: 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago A delve into the M7RC Archive helps us to recap what happened over the decades at Oulton Park around this time of year.

WORDS:RichardWilliamsonPHOTOS:M7RCArchive/Pitlane(Walzpics)

Just a decade ago, the two Dunlop-backed series motored up to Cheshire on

21 August (a Saturday) for the sixth round of the then compact 10-round National Challenge. Both races were scheduled for 12 laps on the 2.226-mile Island circuit (without the Shell loop), with the 1300cc Miglias up first.

From a strong field of 17, Bill Sollis narrowly secured pole position from reigning Champion Peter Baldwin, and the early laps saw these two battling for the lead before the latter clipped the tyres at Knickerbrook and was forced to retire (although he would go on to retain his title). Thereafter Kelly Rogers gave spirited chase, setting fastest

lap, but had to settle for second behind Sollis by just 0.135 of a second, with current roving reporter Mark Chandler in third from Colin Peacock, then the two Sims, Mark and Tim (not related) completing the top six. Other familiar names included Paul Simmonds in eighth, and Ralph Saunders and Mike Jackson both on the dnf list.

An even fuller 1000cc Mini Se7en entry of 25 cars saw some excellent action throughout, no more so than James Hayman’s superb drive to third from the ninth row of the grid. Just ahead however, Lewis Selby kept it all together to win by a couple of seconds from the late Joe Tandy after several other frontrunners

had dropped out of the running, including Champion-elect James Hall who set fastest lap, and pole-sitter Dave Banwell. Behind the impressive Hayman, Paul Thompson took fourth from Paul McGarry and Geoff Letts in fifth and sixth respectively, while other runners included Paul Clark (eighth), Paul Spark (ninth), Dave Edgecombe, Graeme Davis, Malcolm Keat, Max Hunter and current works Porsche driver Nick Tandy. The trio of non-starters were current racers Damon Astin, Gareth Hunt and Ian Deviny.


Lewis Selby won the Mini Se7en race.






10 Years ago

From the Archives: Oulton Park: 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago

This was the era of Unipart-DCM title sponsorship

and RoverSport patronage which, unsurprisingly, produced very strong entries across both classes. Another Saturday meeting, this time on the 4 June, and the full International layout (2.776 miles with Shell loop) was used for a pair of 10-lap thrashes, round four of the 12-round Challenge, and just a fortnight before what would be the M7RC’s first visit to Spa in Belgium.

The Miglias were in their first official season of 1300cc engines after switching from the 1.0-litre units run since 1969/70, and from an entry of 28, there were 23 cars for qualifying. Jonathan Lee set the fastest time but would ultimately retire from the race, along with other former Miglia

title

winners Myk Cable, Len Brammer, Owen Hall and 1994 Champ’ Chris Lewis (setting a new lap record at 1:59.17). Crossing the line in front however was the reigning 1993 Champ’ Ian Gunn, a cool 1.3 secs clear of Stewart Drake, with Bill Sollis, Richard Wager, Peter Allen and David Grocott next in line.

By this time the Mini Se7ens had already been running their uprated unleaded 1.0-litre units for three seasons, and so the 37-car entry was par for the course. Indeed, with a grid limit of 32, qualifying was a bunfight in itself just to make the race, and topping the timesheets (as he would a decade later) was Dave Banwell, ahead of Kelly Rogers alongside on the front row. In the race, the latter would go on to set the fastest race lap, and win by 1.4 secs from Ian Curley, with Banwell shuffled back to

third ahead of Dave Braggins, Shaun King and Matt Hayman. A glance down the finishing order also reveals just how competitive the class had become, with several ex-champions among the likes of Paul Brown, Mike Jackson, Phil Manser, Steve Cooper, Tim Stanbridge, the late Mickey Bray, Rob Selby, Mark Sims and the late Steve Bell, filling seventh to 15th positions of the 28 finishers! Of minor note too, in 27th and lapped, a certain Richard Williamson, having scraped in last on the grid!







20 Years ago

Mike Jordan ahead of a locked-up Bob Humphreys in the Miglia race.Image: M7RC Archive / Ferret Photographics (Mary Harvey)

From the Archives: Oulton Park: 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago

Commemorating 25 years of the Mini, the two series were renamed the Austin

Mini Silver Jubilee National Challenges, with Oulton Park scheduled in fourth of 16 rounds, on Bank Holiday Monday 7 May.

The 850cc Mini Se7ens were up first, with 23 cars headed after qualifying by reigning Champ’ Chris Gould by just over a second, on the shorter 1.654-mile layout. That advantage was reduced to half a second after 12 laps by top lady racer Barbara Cowell, Gould just holding on for what would be the first of 10 National victories in another title-winning season, and both setting a new lap record of 1:47.7. Colin

Rodger, Gary Hall, Peter Brown (on his local circuit) and Graham ‘Gramps’ Woskett filled the top half-dozen after a front-running battle sometimes four-abreast, although the added challenge from Russell Grady, Ralph Budd and Dick Robinson was cut short before the first corner after a multi-car fracas. Non-starting was Graeme Davis, in his debut season sharing a car with Steve Young.

The 14-car 998cc Miglia entry was led away from pole position by Mike Fry and the Champion elect was well on his way to a comfortable victory, including a new lap record of 1:40.5, when mechanical gremlins stopped

him a couple of laps from the finish, handing victory to Jim McDougall, well clear of Gerald Dale, Colin Beckwith and Dave Hancock as the only unlapped runners, with Peter Tisdale (11 laps) and Grant Munday (10 laps) next of the seven finishers. Reigning Champion Chris Lewis had qualified second but was pushed off the grid just before the start.







30 Years ago

There was no visit to Oulton Park for the then-

named Racing section of the Mini 7 Club…

40 Years ago

Peter Calver’s ‘Mini 25’ Silver Jubilee Miglia replica racer alongside a roadgoing Mini 25 Special Edition Image: P Calver Collection

From the Archives: Thruxton: 25, 30, 35, 45 years agoA delve into the M7RC Archive. Remarkably, 5, 10, 15 & 20 years ago Thruxton was not on the M7RC calendar – so, we go back even further.

WORDS:RichardWilliamsonPHOTOS:M7RCArchive

The Austin-Rover National Mini Challenges paid two visits to the Hampshire

circuit in 1989, the first on 11 June for round 7, and again on 8 October for round 15 and the series final. Both meets were run with combined grids, leading to several unhappy drivers who missed out on a race, especially among the 850cc class.

In June, race organiser BARC filled the 34-car grid with 24 Miglias and just 10 Se7ens

starting behind them from the 43-car entry and, in sunny conditions, it was no surprise that the 1-litre cars dominated the 10-lap race. Champion-elect Myk Cable set the fastest lap and ran out the overall winner in his Mini Spares-backed car, with pole position man Mark Jones in his Slark-powered car a couple of seconds adrift in second. Jeremy Wheatley, Tony Parker, engine tuner Steve Harris and John Percy

completed the top six out of 15 finishers. Tagging along behind, just three

of the five 850cc cars remained unlapped, Champion-to-be Steve Cooper starting from class ‘pole’ and remaining comfortably ahead of Rob Selby (fastest lap) and Neil Johnson, with Eian Riddiford and Mike Jackson completing the finishers. Current Miglia frontrunner Dan Wheeler was a non-finisher, while among the disappointed race reserves


25 Years ago






Miglias and Se7ens ran together frequently; Brian Kippax (506) and Steve Cooper (3) line up for the respective classes [Photo credit: M7RC Archives/Shell]

Marking 25 years of the Mini, the Austin Mini Silver Jubilee Challenge

paid a solitary visit to Thruxton on bank holiday Monday 28 May for a BARC Saloon Car Raceday. After a damp practice for the 27-car entry, the 850cc Mini Se7en race was a lot drier and saw an

almighty scrap for the lead, with reigning Champion Chris Gould edging it after 10 laps, adding fastest lap too. Colin Rodger had started from pole position and may have won but for a small error near the finish, while the scramble for

third had four cars virtually tied together at the end in the form of Gary Hall, Jeremy Ormerod, Russell Grady and Gordon Miles, with Mike Jackson dropping from the group to seventh. In the 998cc Miglia event, Mike Fry went out early after starting from the pole slot, leaving Jim McDougall to come through from third on the grid to take the victory by the scantest of margins from reigning Champion Chris Lewis. McDougall also set a new lap record of 1:26.84, at the incredible average speed of over 97 mph! Gerald Dale, Rick Cutting, Peter Tisdale and Keith Padmore (currently running a Cooper S in historics) filled

out the top six, while familiar Mini names in the 35-car entry also included Bryan Slark, Keith Calver, Steve Harris and Richard Wager.

From the Archives: Thruxton: 25, 30, 35, 45 years ago

30 Years ago

was Mini-7 Classic contender Bill Sollis.

On to the 10-lap October race and BARC produced a far more balanced grid, with 19 Miglias and 15 Se7ens this time. In dry conditions, best of the 998cc brigade was once again Myk Cable who secured his first of three Miglia titles, although he was hounded all the way by Brian Kippax who set the quickest lap, and series runner-up Ian Gunn. Gareth Mellin, Jeremy Wheatley and Irishman Sean Tierney completed

the first half-dozen. In addition Phil Harvey took eighth while polesitter Peter Allen pulled off on the opening lap with suspension damage. Of great interest among the smaller class was the ‘race test’ debut of the 1-litre unleaded engine proposed to replace the venerable 850 unit for 1991. Not running for points, former Mini Se7en and three-time Miglia Champion, Russell Grady, tried out the test unit in Eian Riddiford’s car and the comparisons were very favourable, Grady embroiled in

a terrific four-way dice for the class lead. Having started from pole and set a new record lap, Mike Jackson eventually won by just 0.49 of a second from Grady, Steve Cooper and Neil Johnson, with Guy Sims and Marcus Wragg next up. Among the other runners that day were Bill Sollis, Rob Selby and the late Frank Gillibrand, brother of occasional Se7en racer Phillip Gillibrand, who was driving probably the oldest car in the series, ‘Gillimin’ which had competed back in the Sixties.


Mini 7 grid with Chris Gould (01), Colin Rodger (05), Mike Jackson (87) and Steve Mole (76) all in frame [Photo credit: M+A Jackson Collection]







VOLUME 3 THE LEYLAND GT YEARS: 1976-1980

TheThe Mini Mini 77 RacingRacing ArchiveArchive

19791979

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

make saloon car race series

Austin Morris makeoverAustin Morris makeover Soper Soper -- Spurling Spurling -- Watts reignWatts reign

www.mini7.co.uk

Issue 14 / 1979

+ Added...+ Added... CarsCars DriversDrivers CircuitsCircuits ReportsReports ResultsResults PhotosPhotos

What’s in a name?What’s in a name?

●● Rebranded AustinRebranded Austin--Morris Challenge titleMorris Challenge title ●● Strong Nationwide dealer support Strong Nationwide dealer support ●● TEAC adds Mini 1000 seriesTEAC adds Mini 1000 series ●● Close action across six championshipsClose action across six championships

This way and thatThis way and that

●● ThruxtonThruxton ●● Mallory ParkMallory Park ●● SnettertonSnetterton ●● Donington ParkDonington Park ●● SilverstoneSilverstone ● Castle Combe● Castle Combe ●● Oulton ParkOulton Park ●● Brands HatchBrands Hatch ●● Cadwell ParkCadwell Park ●● AintreeAintree ●● CroftCroft ●● LyddenLydden

There were not one but five separate visits to BARC-run Thruxton

meetings during the 1979 season, the first of which was an 8-lap thrash on 11 March, the opening round of the Austin Morris National Mini 850 (Se7en) Challenge. From the 25-car entry, Patrick Watts (later to star in Touring Cars) emerged as winner after an eventful dice among several cars during a very wet race, and would also secure the title by the end of the 16-round season. Graham ‘Gramps’ Woskett had been fastest all day, starting from pole position and setting fastest lap, but a spin in unison with eventual fifth-place Chris Tyrrell left him scrabbling back to second, with Jim McDougall third, and brothers Stephen and Gary Hall sandwiching Tyrrell in the results.

An equally wet 8-lap race on April Fool’s Day (1 April) opened the National Mini 1000 (Miglia) season, and on this occasion it was former Se7en and Miglia Champion Paul Gaymer who would triumph in his Boopspeed machine, although he didn’t start another National race all year! Despite this, the super-competitive field (33 entries) saw Freddy Heaney make rapid progress from mid-grid to finish second close behind Gaymer, with Roland Nix, Chris Dobson, David Abbott and Derek May

filling the next places. Reigning Champion Phil Spurling started from pole but dropped out early although he would go on to retain his crown.

Mini 850s were back for 10 laps on 28 May for round 7 of their National Challenge, and although the weather was equally dismal, the race was televised as part of the support to the headlining Aurora AFX F1 race, featuring occasional Grand Prix drivers Rupert Keegan, David Kennedy and Emilio De Villota. Patrick Watts headed the qualifying times but dropped out at midway, leaving Jim McDougall in front before he too dropped out near the end along with fastest lap man Gary Hall. This left Russell Grady to take the chequered flag from Nigel ‘Boot’ Gaymer (Paul’s brother) in another Boopspeed car, and the Swiftune-powered Graham Woskett in third, with Nick Baily, Chris Tyrrell (flying after a back-of-

the-grid-10 second-penalty-start) and Steve Taylor next up, and 22 finished from 34 entries.

Sunshine and a dry track greeted the Mini 1275GT contenders for round 12 of their 16-round Austin Morris National Challenge on 27 August, and although the 12-car field may have seemed thin on paper, some of the names have certainly made their mark in tin-tops over the years. A-Series tuning expert Steve Harris headed the timesheets after qualifying in one of his own cars, while Peter Baldwin lined up alongside. In the race, Touring Car legend Steve Soper came through to challenge Harris for the lead and by the end just 0.6 secs split the pair after the race of the day, and Soper

35 Years ago


Mini 1275 GTs with John Hopwood (4), Chris Inch (26), Rob Lodge (7) and Peter Baldwin (9) [Photo credit: J Parish Collection/Ferret Photographics - J Gaisford]







Thruxton played host to the opening round of the then

named Formula Mini-7 championship on 27 April 1969, with a huge entry of 46 cars vying to make the points-scoring 8-lap final, and the reserves having a consolation run in with a selection of Free Formula Minis. In his first season of circuit racing in a very tidy car from the Lawrence stable, Paul Gaymer lays a marker to his season-long impressive form, and ultimately the title, with pole position, fastest lap and a narrow win from Graham Wenham. These two are comfortably clear of the maniacally chasing

hordes, the best of which is Michael Rope (Claydon Engineering) ahead of Willie Dick (Poglespeed),

John Digby in fifth driving a Hillthorne prepared car also nicknamed ‘Ruptured Duck’, and Mick Jones in sixth. Other standout names in the field include Clive Trickey in the CCC magazine-featured car and future double-class Champion Len Brammer. In a car shared with Chris Tyrrell during the season, Dennis Fernie won the Formula Mini-7 class in the consolation race, which also saw original Formula Mini-7 Champion Bob Fox having a rare run out after his near-fatal crash in 1967.

breaking the lap record with a 1m 39s dead. Soper would go on to win his second 1275 GT title that year. Behind the leading pair, Baldwin outlasted others around him to finish third, with future multi-Champ’ Chris Lewis taking fourth ahead of Nigel Bridger and Melvyn Johnson. Paul Taft, Malcolm Harrison and Chris Inch were among the retirements, as was double Mini Se7en Champion Graham Wenham who found the barriers heavily on the opening lap.

The eighth and final round of the Graham Hill Memorial Trophy drew a massive 41-car entry on 3 November, no doubt boosted by the presence of TV cameras. Effectively an extra series aimed at Mini 1000 and 850 beginners, or drivers who weren’t frontrunners in the National Challenges, the 8-lapper unsurprisingly saw the 1000s out in front, with Roy Kwei taking the honours ahead of Keiths Vinycomb and Padmore. In the 850s, class winner Peter Allen finished a superb seventh overall with the next best pair of Tim Lester and Graham Hobbs in 11th and 12th overall. Vinycomb and Allen set the respective 1000/850 fastest laps, while poleman Tony Edwards fell back to fourth overall and quickest 850 in qualifying, Gary Hall, failed to start. Also on the grid that day was current Mini Se7en entrant, Julian Affleck.

45 Years ago


Formula Mini-7s at the Thruxton chicane, led by Mike Rope in the Claydon Engineering car [Photo credit: Maureen Magee/M7RC Archives]






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

m7rc newsletter issue 4

Documents

mph sclass

mini se7enjust

mini sportafter

sclass winnernote

seconds sclass

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years mini racing festivals

lessertuned sclass