MINI SE7EN I t is almost 50 years since Brands Hatch hosted the first ever Mini 7 race in April of 1966 and now, in 2014, the Mini Seven Racing Club returns once more to its spiritual home- from-home in Kent for the first of two MSV-promoted Mini Racing Festivals. Carrying on from where he left off in 2013, reigning Champion Andrew Deviny, from Newport Pagnell, heads to Brands Hatch at the top of the points table, thanks to first and second places in the opening Challenge double-header at Castle Combe on April Bank Holiday Monday. Gloucestershire’s Darren Thomas drove two blinders as well, taking a well-earned victory in the second, despite being tapped sideways at the final corner, but in the first race was unlucky to drop out of the lead battle with just a lap to go. Expect the green Roonspeed car to be there or thereabouts. Second on points is Graeme Davis, the North Londoner who has been racing Mini Se7ens for nigh on three decades (with a brief sojourn in Miglias), will be trying as hard as ever to take Quick Links • Preview • Race Report • News • Race Results • Next Races • Timetable • History • Rival Info • Contacts 1 SPONSORS love :mini love :mini magazine www.mbracephotography.co.uk Issue 2: May 2014 Official Mini Se7en Racing Club Newsletter www.mini7.co.uk PREVIEW: ROUNDS 3&4 BRANDS HATCH MAY 10-11 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT Pit and Paddock Powered by: www.mbracephotography.co.uk WORDS: Richard Williamson 2014
Transcript
MINI SE7EN
It is almost 50 years since Brands Hatch hosted the first ever Mini 7 race in April of 1966 and now,
in 2014, the Mini Seven Racing Club returns once more to its spiritual home-from-home in Kent for the first of two MSV-promoted Mini Racing Festivals.
Carrying on from where he left off in 2013, reigning Champion Andrew Deviny, from Newport Pagnell, heads to Brands Hatch at the top of the points table, thanks to first and second places in the
opening Challenge double-header at Castle Combe on April Bank Holiday Monday.
Gloucestershire’s Darren Thomas drove two blinders as well, taking a well-earned victory in the second, despite being tapped sideways at the final corner, but in the first race was unlucky to drop out of the lead battle with just a lap to go. Expect the green Roonspeed car to be there or thereabouts.
Second on points is Graeme Davis, the North Londoner who has been racing Mini Se7ens for nigh on three decades (with a brief sojourn in Miglias), will be trying as hard as ever to take
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 1
SPONSORS
love:minilove:minimagazine
www.mbracephotography.co.uk
Issue 2: May 2014Official Mini Se7en Racing Club Newsletter
www.mini7.co.uk
preview: rounds 3&4 Brands hatch MaY 10-11
DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT
Note: Trophies to top three finishers (trophy to S-Class winner)Note: (S-Class numbered from #90 - #99)
Mini se7en RecoRds & Regulations
that elusive first Challenge victory, while the quartet of relative newcomers Ashley Davies, Kieren McDonald, Leon Wightman and Spencer Wanstall all picked up good scores at Combe to figure well up in the standings, the latter in contention for Novice of the Year.
Hopefully, Max Hunter will be able to join the grid at Brands after sitting out Combe, and will be a firm favourite if he does appear, while Gareth Hunt is a good bet for a win too, but is well down the charts after suffering a major engine failure in the opening round.
Expect packed grids on both days, so try to take in a vantage point at Paddock Hill bend or up at Druids hairpin to
really appreciate the closeness of these 1000cc pocket-rockets and marvel at some
of the cornering angles the drivers can attain! Should be a cracking weekend.
Though the first Mini Miglia championship was held in 1970, a few non-championship try-outs
were held the year before, with a debut visit to Brands Hatch in December 1969 for the then 1.0-litre cars. For the 2014 visit of the now 1.3-litre Mini Miglia Challenge the entry is one of the most competitive ever seen at the Kent venue.
Top of the points table after Castle Combe is Dan Wheeler from Buckinghamshire, returning to race with the Mini Seven Racing Club after several seasons in saloons and historics. Dan took the Peter Baldwin-run, Pro Job-backed Mini to an opening race victory plus a well recovered fourth place in the second, to tally 37 points. Just a point behind is one of the title favourites, Kane Astin from Cambridge, who added to a fifth in the opener with a well judged win in the second race. Joining Kane on
the same total but with lower finishing positions are Tony Le May, the veteran Mini campaigner from Norwich picking up a best of second in his bright orange Delmonte Garage machine, and Dave Drew, who bagged a brace of third places in his Mini Sport-backed car. Such was the relentless pace among the frontrunners at Combe – up to 11 cars were in the lead hunt – that it would be foolish to rule out the likes of Richard Casey, Colin Peacock, James Coulson and Rupert Deeth from a possible win, although local Maidstone lad Aaron Smith has got to be an evens bet, despite coming away with only a point after Combe. In 2013, Aaron’s four Brands races netted four wins, so he knows his way round!
Rather like the Mini Se7ens, a gridful of Mini Miglias swarming into Paddock Bend is a sight to behold, and you will be guaranteed to have the hairs
Andrew Deviny top of Se7ens after a 1st and 2nd finishes in
opening rounds
Four in the hunt to top the Miglias with
Dan Wheeler ahead of Kane Astin, Tony Le May and Dave Drew
on the back of your neck stand on end - indeed, after watching two flat-out sprint races around the Brands Indy circuit you’ll be buzzing like a well-revved A-Series engine too!
Miglias preview contd…
MINI MIgLIa ReCORdS & ReguLaTIONS
LaP ReCORd: Peter Baldwin TIMe. 0:54.605 ave. 79.63 mph on 23 June 2013
INVITATION CLASSThe Invitation Class on the Miglia grid brings together an intriguing selection of A-Series engined Mini contenders from other motorsport disciplines, and at Castle Combe Gary Warburton drew much attention with a beautifully turned out 1380cc Miglia-lookalike, coming away with two solid race
finishes on his circuit racing debut. Expect to see several more #100 and above cars out at Brands to keep Gary company in the category, Chris Watkinson being a regular, and quick, visitor over the past couple of seasons. A couple of entries from overseas will also spice up the race for the Invitation trophy.
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: 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 Mini is 55 this year and track owners MSV have organised two spectacular
Mini Festivals to celebrate. The first is at Brands Hatch on May 10-11 and club members and competitors are being offered a substantial discount on tickets.
There’s not long to go, so if you have any friends or family who want to come and enjoy the show, you’ll need to order them soon.
The Weekend ticket is discounted by £6 to £12; and there’s also £6 off the Sunday day ticket to just £8.
You can order your tickets online at the website www.mini-festival.co.uk or by phoning the call centre on 0843 453 9000.
Quote the Promo code MINISUPPORT, or enter it into the Promo Code box when booking online.
WHAT’S HAPPeNINg?Well for starters there’s going to be a shed-load of racing with the Mini Se7ens, Mini Miglias, Mighty & Super Mighty Minis and the MINI Challenge just to name a few. Phew!
You’ll also be able to enjoy some stunning club displays of classic and new Minis in all shapes and sizes from enthusiasts from across the country, and some even from across the Channel too!
Numerous traders will be on hand offering their latest hot products and some excellent longstanding classic designs too. And never underestimate the social side of these events, where you can forever meet new friends and even bump into ones you’ve not seen for a while and have a good old chinwag about your latest projects.www.mini-festival.co.uk
dunlop tyres at brands
Club members and racing enthusiasts alike will be pleased to know that the
Dunlop team will be out in force at the Brands Hatch meeting, so everyone can pick up their bright yellow cap and look like champions!
As well as iconic merchandise, there’s also going to be a whole load of rubber on show with a lot of quality engineering going into each tyre. Now is the time to have a chat to the lads and see what they can do for you and your cars.www.dunlop.com
What’s your story?
Have you got a vivid memory of an extraordinary race that will forever be etched
into your brain? We’re looking for drivers, teams and club members to contribute to the Mini Se7en Racing Club Newsletter and share those fascinating memories. [email protected]
suite deal for brands fest
Barry Osborn, of BEJAY Motorsport, is offering his Brands Hatch Hospitality Suite
for hire during the Mini Festival including 25 Weekend entry tickets for £550; or Sunday only for £450. Ticket face value alone is £450 so a great saving. 07958 331441
RACe 1 ReSULT – 10 LAPS1 1 Andrew Deviny2 5 Ashley Davies3 22 Graeme Davis4 49 Ross Billison5 90 Ian Deviny6 88 Kieren McDonald
REIGNING ChAMP dEVINy STILL TOP
MINI SE7ENS: ROUNd 1
Howard’s Day welcomed the Mini7
Club to Castle Combe for Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2014 Dunlop Mini 7 Championship supported by Mini Sport.
Andrew Deviny took the first win in a 17-car grid, with Spencer Wanstall and Matthew Gleave joining the grid for the first time and Jabez Dyer returning to the Se7ens after a two year break.
Gareth Hunt took pole with a 0.172 second lead from Andrew Deviny and Ashley Davies 0.634 seconds behind that.
A speedy start from Hunt saw Deviny brake late into Quarry in hot pursuit. Darren Thomas makes an impressive five place jump to take second, with Hunt pulling off after his engine ‘grenades itself’ allowing Deviny to take the lead at the end of lap one. The race is an impressive four car train with lots of swapping of places.
Darren Thomas makes
inroads on Deviny who puts himself on the grass at Camp allowing Thomas to take the lead and pull away at Bobbies. Deviny then finds himself under pressure from Ashley Davies and Graeme Davis but a lap later Deviny catches up and retakes the lead from Thomas into Camp. Thomas remains determined and stays right with Deviny. Elsewhere, Jabez Dyer, Shaun Tarlton and Malcolm Keat all pull off, while Ian Deviny and Ross Billison battle over fifth with Kieren McDonald getting involved too.
Lap seven sees Darren Thomas take the lead out of Quarry, Deviny looks for a way back through but out brakes himself at Tower allowing Thomas to increase his lead. Deviny hammers the Mini and is quicker up Avon Rise and slips up to, and past, Darren to retake the lead.
Outbraking himself at Bobbies on lap eight Darren Thomas loses two places shuffling the pack to allow Andrew Deviny to lead, with Davis and Davies following. Thomas sounds like he might
have done some damage falling right back before eventually pulling off.
Thomas’ exit really allowed Ashley Davies to put the pressure on leader Deviny at Tower before going side-by-side at Avon Rise but he couldn’t quite make it stick dropping into second and finishing 0.119-seconds behind Andrew Deviny with Graeme Davis 2.134-seconds behind for third.
Ross Billison was winning the battle for fourth ahead of Ian Deviny and Kieren McDonald.
Ian Deviny had a great race coming first in the S class race also getting fastest lap with a 1.28.242, with Kevin O’Shea coming second.
Darren Thomas can take some comfort in taking the fastest lap on lap two with a 1.26.226.
DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 7
WORDS: Mark Chandler
pit & paddock May 2014 issue 2
whEELER OF FORTUNE AS SMITh BREAKS
RACe 1 ReSULT – 10 LAPS1 88 Dan Wheeler2 23 Rupert Deeth3 29 Dave Drew4 69 Tony Le May5 11 Kane Astin6 37 Richard Casey
Race ReportCastle Combe, April 21, 2014
DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 8
WORDS: Roy Sisley
www.mbracephotography.co.uk
MINI MIGLIAS: ROUNd 1
Dan Wheeler marked his Miglia return
with a hard earned victory as he fended off the racelong pressure being applied by his pursuers.
A healthy twenty two car entry assembled for the opening round, which included six entries in the Mini-7 Classic class, most notable of which were past champions Ian Curley and Bill Sollis. Aaron Smith captured pole with a 1.18.858 lap, despite only managing to complete four laps, before a gearbox failure prompted him to pull off and become a notable non-starter, leaving Dan Wheeler as the sole occupant of the front row in Peter Baldwin’s title-winning car.
Wheeler was quickest off the line to lead Kane Astin and Richard Casey into Folly, Niven Burge briefly held third before Casey regained the place, as Tony Le May and Dave Drew tagged themselves on to the six-car train disputing the lead.
Astin went ahead of Wheeler along Farm Straight on the third lap, only for Wheeler to regain the lead yards later at Old Paddock Bend. Ian Curley was heading the Classic class from Steve Jones, with the lone Invitation class entry Gary Warburton close behind. Burge dropped back into the grasp of Colin Peacock and Rupert Deeth prior to retiring at the end of lap three. Astin once again snatched the lead with his inside line into Tower Corner on the fifth lap, which was quickly reversed as Wheeler fought back to hold on to his advantage. Further back, Paul Simmonds had his hands full defending ninth from the pursing trio of James Coulson, Rob Howard and Phil Harvey. Drew found a way past Astin into second a lap later as the lead scrap reverted to being a sextet with the arrival of Deeth, who after only qualifying fifteenth, was charging up to a more normal race position. Le May and Casey were both demoted as
Deeth rose to fourth on the seventh lap. The lead of the Classic class was still in the capable hands of Curley, who now had Tim Stanbridge as his nearest challenger. Sam Summerhayes’ race came to an end at The Esses, prompting the use of the yellow flag to enable his car to be moved to safety. The closely bunched quartet disputing third saw their order rejigged following the passing of this section on the penultimate lap, as Deeth now held third from Le May, Astin and Casey. Deeth climbed to second on the final lap, with Wheeler’s winning margin being a slender 0.287 of a second at the chequered flag, as Deeth also claimed the fastest lap as he rose up the order.
www.mbracephotography.co.uk
pit & paddock May 2014 issue 2
RACe 2 ReSULT – 10 LAPS1 4 Darren Thomas2 1 Andrew Deviny3 73 Spencer Wanstall4 22 Graeme Davis5 88 Kieren McDonald6 10 Leon Wightman
FINAL CORNER, FINAL TUSSLEWORDS: Roy Sisley
MINI SE7ENS: ROUNd 2
Another racelong dice was finally resolved at the
final corner, as Darren Thomas overcame his race long pursuers Andrew Deviny and Ashley Davies.
Three drivers were unable to take up their places on the grid, Gareth Hunt was absent from his front row slot, along with Malcolm Keat and Matthew Gleave.
Andrew Deviny led off the line with Darren Thomas closely tracking him as they ascended Avon Rise, before racing side by side into Quarry, where Deviny’s inside line ensured that he remained in the lead. Ross Billison, Graeme Davis, Ian Deviny and Ashley Davies were right on the tail of the lead duo. Davis rose to third, as Davies and Billison went side by side into Quarry on the second lap. Ian Deviny’s attempts to remain in touch with the leading group led to him running wide exiting Tower Corner and hitting the barriers, which left his car in an exposed position, and requiring a safety car
intervention. Andrew Deviny appeared
to have made a break as the race resumed, but his pursuers were quickly on his tail again. Thomas produced an outside swoop at Bobbies to grab the lead, with Davies also slipping past Deviny, relegating him down to third on the eighth lap. Davies then used the outside line through Camp Corner a lap later to propel himself past Thomas into the lead. Deviny had his mirrors full of an advancing Davis, and Billison held a narrow advantage over the dicing duo of Spencer Wanstall and Kieren McDonald.
Following Ian Deviny’s demise, Shaun Tarlton headed the S-Class ahead of Kevin O'Shea, who was recovering from a grassy moment at Quarry on his seventh lap.
Thomas and Davies were virtually side by side as they raced down Westway towards Camp Corner on the final lap, where slight contact sent both cars sideways; Thomas kept his momentum and continued to take the chequered flag still sideways, Davies’ car had
stalled in the middle of the corner, enabling Deviny to sail past and claim second.
Davis opted for the outside line around Davies, which gave the quickly closing Wanstall the opportunity to take the clear inside line to pip him to the chequered flag and secure the final podium position. Billison’s premature retirement on the penultimate lap allowed McDonald and Leon Wightman to claim the remaining top six positions.
Davies got his car fired up to cross the line in tenth, just behind S-Class winner Tarlton. Thomas recounted those dramatic final laps on the mic, together with Andrew Deviny, whilst Wanstall was delighted to have secured his first podium finish in only his fourth race. A cracking start to what already has the makings of another thrilling season.
Race ReportCastle Combe, April 21, 2014
DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 9
pit & paddock May 2014 issue 2
dISCIPLINEd KANE TAKES ChARGEWORDS: Roy Sisley
MINI MIGLIAS: ROUNd 2
Kane Astin led from the front to secure victory
in a restarted second round of the challenge.
Aaron Smith had resolved his gearbox problems to take his place on the front row of the grid. Bill Sollis took over from Nick Paddy in their classic Cooper S, which they were sharing. Rob Howard and Steve Jones were initially non-starters after experiencing problems in the opening round.
Aaron Smith led off the line ahead of Dan Wheeler, as the field surged into Quarry, where a coming together between Wheeler and Niven Burge on the exit of the corner led to Burge’s car spearing off into the barriers, bringing out a safety car intervention, which lasted for one lap, before the race was red flagged at the conclusion of the second lap to enable Burge’s car to be moved to safety.
Rupert Deeth and Paul
Simmonds both non-started the restarted race which would be over the full ten laps.
The additional time allowed both Howard and Jones to repair their cars and take their place on the grid. Wheeler was quickest off the line from Kane Astin, with Aaron Smith pulling off immediately after the start into retirement. Astin went ahead at Quarry on lap two before Wheeler regained the advantage at Folly a lap later, which he only managed to keep for a few hundred yards before Richard Casey slipped past at Quarry.
On the same lap Bill Sollis overtook Ian Curley to lead the Mini-7 Classic class, although he was unable to draw away, as Curley kept in close contact for the remainder of the race.
Astin returned to the head of the field at Quarry on the fourth lap, with the lead dice now consisting of seven cars involving Astin, Casey, Wheeler, Dave Drew, Tony Le May, James Coulson and Colin Peacock. Drew and Le May both made upward progress,
passing Wheeler and putting pressure on Casey’s hold on second. Astin had opened up a slim lead which he was able to maintain. Sollis was still heading the Classic class, with Gary Warburton (Invitation class) now ahead of Curley, as the three of them continued to circulate in close company.
The second place scrap became even more fraught after Wheeler and Casey touched at The Esses on the penultimate lap, enabling Le May and Drew to establish themselves to the remaining podium positions.
Astin took the chequered flag by a 1.7 second margin from Le May and Drew, with Wheeler, Coulson and Casey completing the top six finishers.
Race ReportCastle Combe, April 21, 2014
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 10
RACe 2 ReSULT – 10 LAPS1 11 Kane Astin2 69 Tony Le May3 29 Dave Drew4 88 Dan Wheeler5 47 James Coulson6 37 Richard Casey
www.mbracephotography.co.uk
DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT
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 39
2 22 Graeme DAVIS 18 17 35
3 73 Spencer WANSTALL 14 18 32
4 88 Kieren MCDONALD 15 16 31
5 5 Ashley DAVIES 19 11 30
6 10 Leon WIGHTMAN 13 15 28
7 59 Julian PROCTOR 12 14 26
8 69 Steve TRENCH 11 13 24
9 4 Darren THOMAS 1 20 21
10 92 Kevin O’SHEA 10 10 20
11 49 Ross BILLISON 17 1 18
12 90 Ian DEVINY 16 1 17
13 91 Shaun TARLTON 1 12 13
14 23 Jabez DYER 1 1 2
15 60 Malcolm KEAT 1 0 1
16 96 Matthew GLEAVE 1 0 1
17 37 Gareth HUNT 1 0 1
Entered 17 17
Practiced 17 17
Started 17 14
Finished 11 11
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)
Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total best 11
1 92 Kevin O’SHEA 8 8 16
2 91 Shaun TARLTON 1 10 11
3 90 Ian DEVINY 10 1 11
4 96 Matthew GLEAVE 1 0 1
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
Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total
2014 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT
2014 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN S-CLASS supported by MINI SPORT
2014 MINI SE7EN NOVICE
PROVISIONAL POINTS after Rounds 1+2
Pos No Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pts Total Best 11
1 88 Dan WHEELER 20 17 37
2 11 Kane ASTIN 16 20 36
3 69 Tony LE MAY 17 19 36
4 29 Dave DREW 18 18 36
5 37 Richard CASEY 15 15 30
6 47 James B COULSON 12 16 28
7 8 Colin PEACOCK 14 14 28
8 72 Rob HOWARD 10 13 23
9 23 Rupert DEETH 19 1 20
10 42 Paul SIMMONDS 13 1 14
11 85 Sam SUMMERHAYES 1 12 13
12 13 Phil HARVEY 11 1 12
13 55 Michael GREEN 1 11 12
14 53 Niven BURGE 1 1 2
15 21 Aaron SMITH 0 1 1
Invitation
nc 102 Gary WARBURTON (7) (9) -
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
Practiced 22 22
Started 20 21
Finished 17 16
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) * 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
PROVISIONAL POINTS after Rounds 1+2
SPONSORS
love:minilove:minimagazine
www.mbracephotography.co.uk
pit & paddock May 2014 issue 2
Photo galleryCastle Combe, April 21, 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
With the first of this year’s Mini Festivals almost upon us, we thought it
would be a timely opportunity to look back and see how the Club was first involved in events of this type at the Kent venue .
Most of us will know by now that Brands Hatch is where it all began, back in April 1966, for the very first Formula Mini-7 race. However, did many of you know that the inaugural Grand Mini Festival was held at the same venue, on 28 May 1967? Back then, the Mini parent company, BMC wanted to put on a show to
celebrate its resounding success on the Monte Carlo Rally, and at the same time promote other aspects of its motoring marvel, codenamed ADO 15. In conjunction with race organiser BRSCC, the then named Mini Seven Club co-promoted the Mini Festival with BMC, and the event attracted over 20,000 spectators, no doubt boosted by free
WORDS: Richard Williamson
From the archives: Brands Hatch Mini Festival
Issue 2 / 1967
VOLUME 1 THE SWINGING SIXTIES: 1966-1969
www.mini7.co.uk
TheThe Mini Mini 77 RacingRacing ArchiveArchive
19671967
A history of the UK’s longest-running one-make saloon car race series
Two in a row Two in a row for Bob Foxfor Bob Fox
+ All the...+ All the... CarsCars DriversDrivers CircuitsCircuits ReportsReports ResultsResults PhotosPhotos
Second time aroundSecond time around
●● Mini 7 Club’s greater promotionMini 7 Club’s greater promotion ●● Title doubles to 12 roundsTitle doubles to 12 rounds ●● 60+ score points; over 80 register60+ score points; over 80 register ●● Series booms beyond expectations !Series booms beyond expectations !
admission to anyone driving a Mini! Adding to the fun were Mini fashion shows, Mini variants and a Mini ‘pop art’ competition where students got to decorate Minis in mostly psychedelic paintjobs. Also a ‘Most-in-a-Mini’ record attempt resulted in 27 people from the Royal College of Science Motor Club cramming themselves into a drivable Mini! On the racing front, a non-championship event for
Formula Mini-7 saw reigning Champion Bob Fox take another victory in his second title-winning season, several lengths clear of the battling duo of Mick Walker and Richard Bromley, with Clive Trickey of CCC Magazine fame finishing fourth, just ahead of Viv Church and Gordon Line. Fox was presented with the Issigonis Trophy by the designer of the Mini himself, Sir Alec Issigonis.
The Grand Mini Festival was repeated again on 2 June 1968, this time Viv Church winning the Issigonis Trophy race, this time a championship round, by a comfortable margin of over 10 seconds
from Bob Jones and Richard Jockel, with Gordon Line, Geoff Gilkes and Arthur Johnson rounding out the top six. Among the other runners were Gerard D’Amato and Nick Cole who would later race Mini Miglias a quarter of a century later, while that year’s champion Mick Osborne was an early retirement.
“There was a 3rd Mini Festival held at Brands Hatch on 25 May 1968, again co-
promoted by the Mini 7 Club. For the second year running, Viv Church took home the Issigonis Trophy, round four of the
contd…
Grand Mini Festival photospread in Mini-Mag, the M7C magazine (Credit: M7RC Archive)
1969 Formula Mini-7 Championship. Church’s Trident Racing Mini narrowly held off the Champion elect, Paul Gaymer, with future Champion Graham Wenham third ahead of Michael Rope, Willie Dick (no, really) and, according to the championship tables, Roger Layzell, although the available photos seem to suggest Dennis Fernie was driving the sixth-placed car… maybe someone out there knows the full result?”
So, there you have it, the Mini Racing Festival has a lot more history to it than just the past couple of seasons, and the Mini Seven (Racing) Club has been there throughout!
pit & paddock May 2014 issue 2
From the archives: Brands Hatch Mini Festival
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 18
love:minilove:minimagazine
SPONSORS
www.mbracephotography.co.uk
contd…
Bob Fox receives the Issigonis Trophy from and Sir Alec Issigonis, Grand Mini Festival at Brands, 28 May 1967 (Photo: B Fox Collection)
Mini firetruck at Brands, 1968, as featured in Mini-Mag, the M7C magazine (Credit: M7RC Archive)
From the archives: Brands Hatch: 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago
Back in glam-tastic 1974, when the likes of The Sweet and Slade ruled the pop charts, Brands Hatch was hosting five meetings for the equally
race-tastic Mini 7 fraternity, although the classes didn’t always run together on the same dates.
Round 2 of the 998cc Special Tuning National Mini Miglia Challenge took place on 12 May, and over 10 laps of the 1.24-mile circuit, from 20 starters Dudley Fisher ran out a comfortable winner in his Charon-run, Status Quo-backed car! Some distance behind him came 1974 Champion elect Russell Dell in his Ripspeed machine, followed by Alex Boyle, pole-sitter Bill Derry, Peter Major and Terry Hird. Fastest lap of 0:59.2 was set by John Hazell before he retired a lap from home.
The following month on the 30 June, a 19-car 850cc Mini Se7en grid gathered for the fifth round of the Bob Fox National Challenge over 10 laps. Scoring one of six wins in a title-winning campaign was the late Chris Tyrrell, leading from pole to beat Graham ‘Gramps’ Woskett’ (Swiftune powered), Hugo Hoyle, Graham Wenham, Jim Mancey and Andrew Higton. Though Tyrrell was ultimately out of range, in their chase Woskett and Hoyle shared fastest lap of 1:02.2.
A total of seven Brands meets made up a busy 1984 schedule, the grandest of
which was arguably the 31 April-1 May event titled the Giant 500 Car
GP Circuit Meeting held, as the title suggests, on the full 2.6136-mile layout which was still being used for F1 Grand Prix.
Counting towards both the National Challenge and Southern Championship, in the 25-car 998cc Miglia race, Jim McDougall ran out winner and set the fastest race lap (1:58.3) over seven laps from Bev Comber, 1984 double series Champion Mike Fry, Colin Beckwith, Gerald Dale and Ian Gunn, while 1983 Champ and pole position man, Chris Lewis dropped out before halfway. A familiar name on the result sheet too, one Gordon Pocock!
The 850cc Mini Se7en race saw an oversubscribed 34-car grid, won by several lengths by Gary Hall (uncle of 2004 race winner James Hall) from Gordon Miles, Jim Burrows, fast lady Barbara Cowell, Mike Jackson and reigning Champ Chris Gould, although Burrows was later disqualified and Steve Mole moved up into the top six. Hall set fastest lap at 2:00.2, adding to his pole position start. Other names that still appear on the results today included Graeme Davis and Ralph Budd, who currently races in Mighty Minis.
A delve into the M7RC Archive helps us to recap what happened over the decades at Brands Hatch around this time of year.
40 Years ago
30 Years ago
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 19
WORDS: Richard WilliamsonPHOTOS: M7RC Archive
1974 Brands 12 May, the Miglias of Eric Groves
and Philip Johnstone (Photo: E Groves Collection)
1984 Brands 31 Apr-1 May, Mini Se7ens in the woods out on the GP circuit (Photo: M+A Jackson Collection)
From the archives: Brands Hatch: 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago
pit & paddock May 2014 issue 2
There were four meetings at Brands in 1994,
with the closest to May being the second round of the Unipart Winter series held on 27 March in bright conditions, and with both classes running 10-laps apiece on the 1.2036-mile track.
The Mini Se7ens went first, and from a field of 16 starters, Kelly Rogers added to his title-winning tally with victory over Matt Hayman (fastest lap of
0:57.51) and poleman Dave Banwell, with Neil Johnson, Andy Burge and Alan Waite completing the leaders. Current Mini stalwarts Ian Curley and Jim Burrows also finished in the points.
In the Miglia event, of the 11 starters, Jeremy Wheatley came through to win in a Dale-prepared car from Mike Jordan, David Grocott, Tony Hobbs, pole-sitter Ian Scott and Andy Twyman, with Scott also setting a new fastest lap at 0:54.02.
20 Years ago
A sunny and dry Brands Hatch over the 22-23 May weekend saw
the opening round of the 2004 Dunlop National Mini Challenges, with a pair of 14-lap races for each class on the 1.2262-mile Indy circuit.
In Mini Miglia, reigning Champion Peter Baldwin opened his campaign with pole position and the win which would help see him to another title by season end, finishing ahead of Bill Sollis and Kelly Rogers, with Tim Sims, Colin Peacock and Mark Sims rounding out the top six. Andy Hack set fastest lap at 0:55.350. Among the 20-car field still around the paddock today included Paul Simmonds, Tony
Le May, Mark Chandler, Mike Jackson and Ralph Saunders.
In the Mini Se7en race, the late Joe Tandy edged out Champion elect James Hall, with Dave Banwell in third from pole-sitter Max Hunter, Andrew Deviny and the late Graham Edwards, while the packed 30-car grid also included current
works Porsche driver Nick Tandy, Kane Astin, Paul Thompson, Lewis Selby, Damon Astin, Ian Deviny, Gareth Hunt, Steve Whiteley, Graeme Davis and Paul Spark. Hall set fastest lap at 1:00.038.
Brands Hatch also closed out the National season with a double-header meeting on 15-16 October…
1994 Dave Banwell’s Mini Se7en, with Garfield (Photo: M7RC Archive) 2004 Brands 22-23 May, Mini Se7en leaders, Max
Hunter, Joe Tandy, James hall, into Paddock Bend (Photo: M7RC Archive-Pitlane Magazine/Steve King)
Quick Links• Preview
• RaceReport• News
• RaceResults• NextRaces
• Timetable• History
• RivalInfo• Contacts 20
10 Years ago
SPONSORS
www.mbracephotography.co.uk
love:minilove:minimagazine
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
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.
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
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
