M7RC Newsletter - End of Season Issue 2014

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2014

End of Season Issue 2014 Official Mini Se7en Racing Club Newsletter www.mini7.co.uk

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mini se7en & mini miglia season Round-up 2014 WORDS: Richard Williamson

• Third National crown for Andrew Deviny in Mini Se7ens • Rupert Deeth wins his first Mini Miglia title • S-Class success for top Novice Shaun Tarlton

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MINI SE7EN Having won the title for the second time in 2013, adding to his 2006 success, Andrew Deviny went into 2014 as one of the obvious favourites. That he retained Champion status only in the last race of a 14-round season is testament to how close the Mini Se7en formula remains after • Round-up • Chairman’s Chat

six decades.

Andrew’s first of five wins came at the Castle Combe opener in April, thereafter he totted up a hat-trick mid-season, firstly with a pair at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, then at Thruxton in Hampshire, before adding the last at Oulton Park in Cheshire. Six further visits to the podium and finishes in all

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Pit & Paddock Season End 2014 Issue 7 the other races saw him home by just two points after dropped scores. Also underlining his pace were six fastest laps and nine pole positions. Interestingly, Andrew’s green/yellow car appeared for the last two events in a reworked green/white colour scheme, so he obviously has no hang-ups about green being an unlucky racing colour!

Running Deviny close throughout the season was Darren Thomas, who also chooses green for his Roonspeed racer. In his best season to date, Darren notched up four wins, at Combe in Round 2, Brands Hatch in Round 4, Thruxton in Round 8 and Donington Park in Round 12, while six runner-up spots helped take him into a last round showdown. A third non-finish, after clipping a tyre chicane when chasing down the leaders, ultimately left him pondering what might have been but, like Deviny, his pace was there for all to see with five fastest laps.

In third overall, stalwart campaigner Graeme Davis had his most successful season since he first raced Mini Se7en 30 years ago, and finally scored that elusive first Challenge win having previously headed home a non-championship field at the Silverstone Mini 50th Birthday meet in 2009. In fact, back-to-back victories, the first at Oulton (round 10) followed by Donington (round 11) elevated him to an outside shot at the title going into the final weekend at Croft, but a minor mechanical gremlin put paid to that in the opening race. He did, however, successfully complete an Quick Links

overnight round-trip to London to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary, so his wife may now let him race on into 2015!

Equally as impressive when running up at the front was young Welsh hotshot and 2001 Novice champion, Ashley Davies, who looked set to continue his top-5 form of 2013, with a second place and a victory (Brands) in the first two meetings, but a succession of engine problems and even a pair of non-starts thereafter dropped him to sixth in the standings, and not even a change of paint scheme from ‘unlucky’ green to blue seemed to help. However, an impressive wet weather win at Croft in the penultimate race should help to re-ignite his prospects for 2015.

The remaining victory fell to Paul Spark in the Croft finale, the former triple champion showing he could still run out front, and having started well back on the grid. In his only other appearance, at Thruxton mid-season, he salvaged a good second place in Sunday’s race following a rebuild after a big off the previous day.

Potential winners among the remaining contenders included fourth overall Leon Wightman, whose early season consistent

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Pit & Paddock Season OctoberEnd 2014 2014 Issue Issue 7 7

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top-six finishes led to a pair of fine second places later on, at Oulton in July where his team produced the most vocal trackside support heard in a long time, and again at Donington in Round 12! Kieren McDonald was only a couple points adrift in fifth, like Wightman, consistent high finishes culminating in a first podium visit at the Croft finale weekend.

A notable mention too must go to Mini 7 Driver’s Rep, Gareth Hunt, who began the season on pole position at Combe only to endure appalling mechanical luck which was briefly interspersed with a quartet of strong fourth place finishes. Surely 2015 can only get better? Others to take home a bottle of podium bubbly were 2012 Novice champion Ross Billison (twice) before a huge Thruxton smash into the pitwall curtailed his season, Jabez Dyer in only one of three events, and Spencer Wanstall, who was also in his first season as a novice.

Of the rest, Julian Proctor switched to full Mini Se7en after winning the S-Class the previous two seasons, and made gradual progress towards the top half, while Steve Trench and Malcolm Keat tallied enough decent finishes between them to round out the top-10 overall. Further back, David Robinson plugged on gamely in his rebuilt car to finish in 12th overall, with Kelvin Edgar, Steven Hopper, Quick Links

Steve Baker, Nathan Burge and Tom Hartwell making occasional appearances to bolster the fields.

In the battle for S-Class honours, a new name came through to claim top honours, Shaun Tarlton building on his Brands debut at the end of 2013 with a trio of top-six finishes and six class wins.

Shaun not only finished eighth overall in the standings but also secured the Novice title over closest rival Spencer Wanstall.

Former Winter Series Champion (1999), Ian Deviny, ran Shaun close in the S-Class category with four class wins himself, but ultimately missing a couple of events, and a big off at Combe scuppered his bid. Also in the S-Class, Kevin O’Shea’s Thruxton win was well received in the paddock, while Jim Burrows and newcomer Matthew Gleave were the only other ‘mildlytuned’ 1300cc runners to turn out, while solitary Invitation Class appearances came from Rohith De Silva at Donington, and Barry Long at Oulton in his recently acquired 1.3-injection ‘fast-road’ example.

So what can we expect from the ‘pocket rocket’ Mini Se7ens in 2015? Well Andrew Deviny has to be a fair bet to join ‘the three-in-a-row-champions-club’ of Tim Sims (2001/02/03) and Paul Spark (2010/11/12) but with the likes of Spark, and hopefully Max Hunter (2007) returning after a year’s break, not to mention

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Tina Cooper (1993) planning a comeback, plus numerous other cars that are rumoured to be coming out of garages, then the prospects for another cracking season are looking rosy!

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675 SPONSORS

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If

MINI MIGLIA the Mini Se7en title chase was close, then the Miglia battle up front was positively neck-and-neck right to the finish line.

Heading into the Croft finale weekend, there were five possible champions, and then still three before the final race!

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Of these, it turned out to be the least experienced (on paper) who would triumph overall, Rupert Deeth’s debut victory at Cadwell Park in round 6 seeming to be the catalyst for a late-season flourish of four more wins, at Thruxton, a double at Oulton and finally Croft, to go with his six further podium finishes. Before this newfound winner’s confidence, a scary crash on the pit straight at the penultimate Donington meet would probably have ended his title bid, but he held his nerve for Croft and drove accordingly in the repaired car, gambling on wets to just see him home ahead on a rapidly drying track, and then playing the safe option in the second race by finishing third but which gave him two points • Round-up • Chairman’s Chat

more than his nearest rival. Six fastest laps (five of them closing the season) and five pole positions served to underline his turn of pace.

Once again Kane Astin would end up as ‘bridesmaid’, his early season Challenge lead (which included three victories, at Combe, Brands and Thruxton) gradually whittled down, and a tally of seven runner-up finishes (four to close the season) mirrored his race pace; in front for parts but more often than not losing out when it mattered. Perhaps the key moment in his season came at Oulton in the second race, when he clipped a tyre chicane just after inheriting the lead and was forced to pull off, taking home only 2 points for the weekend for two DNFs. Third in the standings was Dan Wheeler, returning to Miglias after a brief foray several seasons earlier, and having begun in Se7ens over 25 years ago. Dan had leased the multi-title-winning car of Peter Baldwin, and the alliance proved successful from

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Pit & Paddock Season OctoberEnd 2014 2014 Issue Issue 7 7 the off, with wins in the Combe opener and at Cadwell in round 5, plus several other top placings.

However, his season would ‘catch a cold’ at the Oulton meeting in July after a controversial clash in the opening race which saw him not only exit stage left into the barriers, but then excluded from the results. This exclusion was later challenged with the MSA (to try and reclaim the point for a DNF, and use it as a drop score), and later on a pair of Donington race wins theoretically put him in with a shout of the title at Croft before a first-corner pile-up effectively knocked that on the head, regardless of any decision by the MSA, although he did finish with a fifth victory in the second race to close the season.

Five fastest laps isn’t bad race pace either.

The only other race winner was Aaron Smith who, after a few mechanical problems early on, triumphed at his local circuit, Brands Hatch, in the second Miglia race of the ‘Mini Race Festival - South’. This however followed a DNF from the day before in which Aaron went for the lead into Paddock only to

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take himself and a rival out of the race. History repeated itself at the ‘Mini Race Festival - North’, held at Oulton, but this time Aaron was adjudged to have been taken off by the other driver, but which still left him with another bent car and on the sidelines for the rest of the season to finish 11th overall.

Completing the top six were Colin Peacock, Tony Le May and Rob Howard, and all three stood on the podium at one point or another during the season. Colin was a model of consistency for tallying points, but a DNF at Thruxton mid-season and then being involved in the opening corner fracas at Croft in the penultimate race restricted him to fourth overall. Veteran Mini campaigner Tony was similarly always on the tail of the leaders, but also suffered a couple of non-finishes, while a personal issue saw him withdraw from the Croft finale and ultimately finish 3 points adrift in fifth place.

Rob meanwhile came very close to winning at Brands, having found a new lease of life from his reworked car, courtesy of former Miglia champion, Endaf Owens.

However, his season was marred by penalties, the first at Cadwell when he was sent to the back of both grids for a malfunctioning alternator, then at Donington when he was harshly excluded from the meeting for crossing the track during a

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Pit & Paddock Season OctoberEnd 2014 2014 Issue Issue 7 7 warm-up lap Behind Rob in the standings came James Coulson, also a podium visitor, but five nonfinishes left him adrift on points.

Of the rest, Dave Drew and Richard Casey initially had their Mini Sport-backed cars running up at the front, but Dave suffered a big smash in qualifying at Brands which put a drain on the budget and limited his appearances thereafter, while after Richard’s exit from the first Brands race after a controversial clash for the lead, he felt disillusioned enough to put his car up for sale. Completing the top 10 in the points were Sam Summerhayes and Paul Simmonds.

Sam had converted from an Invitation spec to full-blown Miglia over the winter, and was highly entertaining to watch, while Paul’s determined efforts saw him rewarded with a fine third place at Croft, his slick tyre choice on a rapidly drying track paying dividends. “One more lap and I reckon I could have won” was his opinion afterwards.

Further boosting the grids on occasions were Phil Harvey, Mike Green, Niven Burge, Mark Cowan, former Champion Paul Thompson and Paul Clark, and all of them were able to run at a pace well within sight of the leaders, such was the competitiveness of the

Miglia field on any given day.

Also bolstering the grids, the non-points Invitation Class saw a regular campaigner in the form of Gary Warburton, and in his first season of circuit racing he thoroughly enjoyed himself, effectively being the best ‘unofficial’ Miglia Novice. Damon Astin came out a couple of times too in the car he also raced in Europe, along with Phil Harvey, and at the Croft finale Damon ran well in among the front-runners, while Jason Burgess and Rob Perkins shared a car briefly with a view to converting to Miglia for 2015, and finally Frenchman Greg Carini turned out for the Brands Mini Festival but went out early after a collision.

Also invited to share the Miglia grids were the historic/classic Mini contingent, and under the title ‘Mini-7 Classic’ interest was high, especially when six drivers turned up for the opening event at Combe. Former M7RC champions, Ian Curley and Bill Sollis took a class win apiece, with Tim Stanbridge, Nick Paddy, Steve Jones and William Ward adding to the mix. Thereafter, other classic racing events took precedence, but it is hoped for further cars to appear in 2015.

After such a thrillingly close 2014,

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can we predict a Mini Miglia winner for 2015? Well, pick any one of half-a-dozen candidates and you’ll still be guessing, but either way, the action will be as full-on as ever from these muscled-up Mini racers.

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July End 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 467

Chairman’s Chat Words of wisdom from the man at the top.

F

irst of all, I would like to congratulate the various Champions. In the case of the Dunlop Mini Se7en and Mini Miglia Championship, these are still provisional, as I write this chat. Steve Prior, our Championship MSA Scrutineer, has sealed several engines and will be checking engines in the next few days. So, congratulations to provisional Mini 7 Champion {for a second year running} Andrew Deviny and to provisional Mini Miglia Champion Rupert Deeth. Confirmed Mini 7 S Class Champion and Novice Champion is Shaun Tarlton. Well done to you all. I know how difficult it must be, to not only ‘keep going’ with the expenses which our hobby incurs, but on top of that, to win against such tough opposition. The races this year have been fantastic... especially the last Miglia race at Croft.

In this last newsletter of 2014, I would like to raise a few points, in no particular order of importance.

By the way, I hope you all agree with me, what an excellent coverage, via our newsletters, we have received this year, A big ‘thank-you’ to Craig at love:mini magazine (www.love-mini.co.uk).

AGM The first thing I would like to mention is the forthcoming AGM. The date is on the website, along with the venue details. Now this year there will be a considerable Quick Links

number of suggestions from the Committee and the Membership, mainly to try new ideas and also to attempt to keep racing costs under control. We have already received some suggestions that will need some considerable thought by the Membership, as this will have an effect on 2015 and the following years. As a reminder, the deadline for proposals is November 16th.

So, please make the effort to attend.

No point in moaning about what has been voted in or out, if you were not there!

Also, it is your chance to suggest new Members of the Committee.

At this time, we are all still willing to stand again. If anyone wants to put themselves forward along with a seconder as a Committee Member, please let me or one of the Committee know.

Following a drivers’ survey to decide the format of next year’s racing calendar, Colin will hopefully be presenting a provisional calendar at the AGM. We have taken in account the various views, like having a break mid-season, last round needs to be more central and obviously the circuits that we visit. Next year is our 50th anniversary of racing within the M7RC, so the calendar needs to be ‘right’. Having a special venue is also being considered; more news on this at the AGM. If anyone has any ideas about making/designing something special for the 50th anniversary, in

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the form of logos, merchandise etc., we will be glad to hear from you.

AWARDS We are in the process of selling tickets for our awards evening.

These can be obtained from Mike and Alan Jackson ~ details are on the website. I’m sure Mike and Alan will be only too willing to sell you tickets at the AGM. The details of the awards evening is also on the website. It has been confirmed that Steve Soper will be our guest of honour and Mark Werrell will be our compère. If anyone would like to lend a hand in anyway, please give one of the Committee members a call. Finally, don’t forget to vote for the various awards... best turned out X, most improved etc. They all deserve to be voted for.

Thanks to all of the Committee for their work this year, along, with all of the helpers at the race meetings and other Club administration. Keep up the good work in 2015.

Nick Nick Cooke Chairman M7RC

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

Mini Se7en News 2014 awards night details

The 2014 Awards Evening will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Peterborough on Saturday 17 January 2015.

Tickets are £39 per person (plus £1 P&P) and can be purchased via your credit / debit card using the PayPal link on the club website or you can send a cheque [payable Mini 7 Racing Club] to: Mike Jackson 345 Clay Lane Sth Yardley Birmingham B26 1ES thejackson7@hotmail.com

Club ATD/AGM Mini 7 Racing Club ATD/ AGM has been booked at the Chiltern Hotel for December 7th {Sunday} starting at 10.00

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WRITER WANTED

A

fter the success of this season’s M7RC newsletter, we are looking to recruit someone who can write up race reports for this newsletter and other publications.

Whilst the position is unpaid, we can offer free tickets to every Mini 7 Round and cover modest travel expenses.

This could be the ideal opportunity for family members or friends of racing teams to get more involved with the M7RC and the Mini community, as well as honing your

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own skills the the guidance of a professional journalist.

After a sterling effort from Mark Chandler this year, he is uncertain whether he will be able to commit to contributing next season, but we would like to take this opportunity to pass our deepest thanks to Mark and his family for the work they have put into helping make the M7RC Newsletter as good as it it.

Meanwhile, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a Murray Walker-type, then drop us a line at: editor@love-mini.co.uk

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

Race Report Round 13 Croft September 20, 2014

Davies denies leader deviny

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And

MINI SE7ENS: RACE 1 rew Deviny took pole in the penultimate race with Graeme Davis second Darren Thomas third followed by Ashley Davies.

It was a great start for Davies who takes second by the first corner followed by Davis and Thomas, Kieren McDonald and Leon Wightman.

Thomas and McDonald touch as they go into the Jim Clark Esses allowing McDonald to move into fourth closely followed by Wightman.

The start off lap 2 sees Deviny have a really sideways moment which he manages to keep together. McDonald Quick Links

has taken third from Davis and Wightman is also looking for a way past but he has to wait until the hairpin to get round.

Davies makes a run at Deviny at the Jim Clark Esses where they are side-by-side with Davies taking the lead.

Meanwhile, Graeme Davis has broken down on-track causing a safety car which puts all the battles on hold.

Davies, Deviny, McDonald, Wightman, Thomas, Paul Spark, Mark Proctor Jabez Dyer, Steve Trench and Dave Robinson is how they line up behind the safety car.

It’s a great restart from Davies with Deviny and McDonald keeping with him.

Deviny sees himself under pressure from McDonald

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coming into the Complex but great defending by Deviny means he keeps the place.

Thomas goes very sideways at Sunny In Sunny Out allowing Wightman to creep up on him.

Lap 6 sees Deviny and Thomas going very sideways as they go into the Jim Clark Esses but both gather themselves together to keep their places.

McDonald and Wightman are pushing for the whole last lap nipping at Deviny’s heels but they run out of laps.

The race finishes with Ashley Davies winning with Deviny 2nd, 5.375 sec behind, with McDonald another 0.595 sec.

Deviny takes the fastest lap with a 1.53.773

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

Race Report Round 13 Croft September 20, 2014

Deeth & astin in title fight WORDS: Mark Chandler

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The

MINI MIGLIAS: RACE 1 weekend did not start well for the Miglia drivers with a collision between Dan Wheeler, James Coulson and Colin Peacock at the first corner pulling the safety car out with Kane Astin, Rupert Deeth, Damon Astin, Rob Howard Phil Harvey, Paul Simmonds and Gary Warburton following.

The safety car comes in on lap 3 and it’s a great start from all the cars with Deeth all over K Astin to begin with.

Warburton pulls off, D Astin is all over the back of Deeth and the top four cars are pulling away from Harvey and Simmonds.

There’s some big slides for Deeth, K Astin and Simmonds Quick Links

at the back of the track but they all hold onto their places but it has given D Astin the chance to catch up. Rob Howard gets past D Astin at Jim Clark Esses and is now chasing the leading pair.

Sunny in Sunny out sees K Astin and Deeth side-byside but K Astin keeps the lead. As the come down the pit straight K Astin in the lead with Deeth, Howard, D Astin, Harvey and Simmonds following. Deeth pulls to the outside then the inside and gets past K Astin with D Astin looking every way but can not get past Howard.

Deeth is pulling a lead from K Astin. Tower sees K Astin go deep allowing Howard and D Astin to catch up and Simmonds making progress all

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the time too.

Lap 8 see D Astin go round the outside of Howard and get 3rd and set his sights on 2nd. D Astin pulls alongside K Astin at the Jim Clark Esses but he cannot make it stick Deeth has a great lead going into the last lap with both the Astins fighting for 2nd and 3rd. Simmonds is catching Howard for 4th and the battles continue all lap with D Astin looking every way to get round K Astin but he can’t do it. Simmonds is still all over the back of Howard and finally takes third on the start/finish line.

The race finishes 1st Deeth, 2nd K Astin 10.552 sec behind, 3rd D Astin 0.403 behind. With Deeth taking the fastest lap with a 1.41.618

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

Race Report Round 14 Croft September 21, 2014

DEviny’s title as thomas retires WORDS: Mark Chandler

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And

Clervaux and gets 3rd whilst McDonald and Wightman are fighting behind.

Sparks is making a move on Thomas at the complex and gets past at Hawthorne corner and now sets his sights on Deviny.

Wightman goes off, and Thomas has the better start Sparks is catching Deviny but but Deviny remains in front he is taking Thomas with him. followed by Thomas, Davies McDonald and Jabez Dyer are and Davis and a remarkable having a great battle for 6th.

Paul Sparks who started 8th Darren Thomas then comes on the grid. Leon Wightman off, effectively ending his title is also making a charge for challenge and allowing Davis Kieren McDonald.

Lap 2 sees Deviny still leading to join the leading pack with Sparks closing all the time to with Thomas, Davis, Sparks Deviny. and Davies behind. Sparks McDonald and Dyer are still makes a move on Davis at battling for 6th and 7th with MINI SE7ENS: RACE 2 rew Deviny takes pole in the last race of the season with Darren Thomas, Ashley Davies and Graeme Davis following.

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Julian Proctor, Dave Robinson, Steve Trench and Malcolm Keat are all fighting behind.

Tower bend sees Sparks make his move on Deviny who doesn’t seem to argue and lets him past. McDonald pulls into the pits but then rejoins the race in last place.

Deviny is all over Sparks but great defending means Sparks keeps the lead.

The last lap sees a great battle between Sparks and Deviny with Sparks taking the win with Deviny 0.298 secs behind and Davis 6.231 secs later. Deviny takes the fastest lap with a 1.45.011 and seals the Mini Se7en Championship title for a second year running.

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPORT

Race Report

title race goes right to the deeth

Round 14 Croft September 21, 2014

WORDS: Mark Chandler

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Rup

MINI MIGLIAS: RACE 2 ert Deeth on pole Kane Astin second and Dan Wheeler third is how they line up for the final Miglia race of the season.

It was a great start from the top two but not so good for Wheeler who has Rob Howard side-by-side with him but Wheeler has the better line into Clervaux and stays third.

Paul Simmonds is up to fifth and catching Howard.

Lap 2 sees Deeth still in the lead with K Astin and Wheeler closing in. K Astin is very close going into Tower but Deeth keeps the lead with Wheeler third Howard fourth followed Quick Links

by Simmonds, James Coulson, Damon Astin, Phil Harvey and Gary Warburton.

Tower corner on lap 3 sees K Astin try again but Deeth again shuts the door.

Meanwhile Dan Wheeler has caught up with the leading pair. K Astin again goes for the lead at Sunny In Sunny Out and gets past Deeth for the lead, Howard has moved up to fourth and has now caught the leading pack.

Deeth looks like he is falling back allowing Wheeler to take second with Howard fourth and Simmonds fifth then a gap before D Astin, Coulson, Harvey and Warburton.

Lap 4 sees Wheeler take the lead after going to the inside

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of K Astin into Clervaux but Astin is not going to let go and is sticking to Wheeler’s bootlid.

The battles keep going all though the next few laps with K Astin trying to get past Wheeler, Howard catching Deeth, Coulson trying to pass D Astin, Simmonds trying to pass Coulson.

The last lap sees Astin side-byside with Wheeler into Tower but great defending means he can’t get past. Howard is also trying a last minute attack on Deeth but also can’t get past.

The race finishes with Wheeler taking the win with K Astin 0.427 secs behind and Deeth 0.920 secs behind that.

With D Astin taking the fastest lap with a 1.37.660sec lap • Gallery • Contacts

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FINAL POINTS 2014 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN 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 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

1 4 22 10 88 5 59 91 69 60 90 63 49 73 92 37 35 23 47 38 15 52 97 89 96

Andrew DEVINY Darren THOMAS Graeme DAVIS Leon WIGHTMAN Kieren MCDONALD Ashley DAVIES Julian PROCTOR Shaun TARLTON Steve TRENCH Malcolm KEAT Ian DEVINY David ROBINSON Ross BILLISON Spencer WANSTALL Kevin O’SHEA Gareth HUNT Paul SPARK Jabez DYER Kelvin EDGAR Steven HOPPER Steve BAKER Nathan BURGE Jim BURROWS Tom HARTWELL Matthew GLEAVE

nc nc

142 166

Invitation Barry LONG Rohith DE SILVA Practiced Started Finished

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Castle Combe Castle Combe Brands Hatch Brands Hatch Cadwell Park Cadwell Park Thruxton Thruxton Oulton Park Oulton Park Donington Park Donington Park Croft Croft

20 1 18 13 15 19 12 1 11 1 16

19 20 17 15 16 11 14 12 13 0 1

17 14 10 1

1 18 10 0

1

1

14 19 1 15 16 20 10 1 12

19 20 18 15 16 1 13 14 1

9 18 1

9 1 11

17

17

20 19 18 0 14 1 1 15 10 12 16 9 17

20 19 18 0 16 15 11 13 12 9 14 8 17

11 0

7 0

13

1

11

10

13

12

1

1

10

20 19 16 15 17 1 13 12 14 9

18 20 1 16 15 17 1 1 14 12

11 18 7 10

1 1 1 11

1

19

8

20 19 18 16 0 1 11 15 1 14 13 10

18 1 20 19 1 0 15 16 0 12 13 1

15 19 20 17 16 0 1 12 1 10 11 7

14 20 17 19 16 18 10 11 1 9 12 8

w 0 17

w 1 17

13 8 0

13 7 0

18 1 1 14

1 5 1 15

9

6

(12)

(13)

21 19 15

21 20 17

13 12

21 April 21 April 10 May 11 May 31 May 1 June 14 June 15 June 12 July 12 July 23 August 24 August 20 Sept’ 21 Sept’

19 1 18 1 11 17 15

12 1

14 12

11

13

15 14

20 16

0

(9)

17 17 11

14

19 16 1 17 18 20 13

17 14 11

16 16 12

16 16 12

FL: D Thomas FL: G Davis FL: D Thomas FL: A Deviny FL: A Deviny FL: D Thomas FL: P Spark FL: D Thomas FL: A Deviny FL: L Wightman FL: D Thomas FL: A Deviny FL: A Deviny FL: A Deviny

* Invitation class not eligible for Challenge points

16 14 12

16 14 14

16 16 14

16 16 10

Pole: G Hunt Pole: A Deviny Pole: A Davies Pole: A Davies Pole: A Deviny Pole: A Deviny Pole: A Deviny Pole: A Deviny Pole: A Deviny Pole: A Deviny Pole: D Thomas Pole: G Davis Pole: A Deviny Pole: A Deviny #166 ran as 66

16 14 12

(11)

16 13 10

212 210 198 177 175 140 137 122 114 101 96 96 90 78 75 69 55 51 50 49 29 25 15 2 1

12 12 10

12 12 10

Spax Improver: S Trench (+6) Spax Improver: S Wanstall (+9) Spax Improver: D Thomas (+5) Spax Improver: D Thomas (+7) Spax Improver: K O’Shea (+3) Spax Improver: J Proctor (+4) Spax Improver: R Billison (+6) Spax Improver: K Edgar (+8) Spax Improver: L Wightman (+4) Spax Improver: L Wightman (+7) Spax Improver: S Wanstall (+7) Spax Improver: J Proctor (+9) Spax Improver: A Davies (+3) Spax Improver: P Spark (+7)

255 213 201 178 187 141 140 123 116

97

FINAL POINTS 2014 DUNLOP MINI SE7EN S-CLASS 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 2 3 4 5

91 90 92 97 96

Shaun TARLTON Ian DEVINY Kevin O’SHEA Jim BURROWS Matthew GLEAVE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Castle Combe Castle Combe Brands Hatch Brands Hatch Cadwell Park Cadwell Park Thruxton Thruxton Oulton Park Oulton Park Donington Park Donington Park Croft Croft

1 10 8

10 1 8

1

0

21 April 21 April 10 May 11 May 31 May 1 June 14 June 15 June 12 July 12 July 23 August 24 August 20 Sept’ 21 Sept’

1

10

8 10 6

8 10 6

S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class FL: K O’Shea S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class FL: K O’Shea S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class FL: S Tarlton S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class FL: I Deviny S-Class FL: n/a S-Class FL: n/a

10

1

8

10

10 8 0

10 8 1

10 8 5 6

8 10 6 5

86 65 58 11 1

87

Pts

Total

S-Class Pole: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny S-Class Pole: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: I Deviny S-Class Pole: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: S Tarlton S-Class Pole: I Deviny S-Class Pole: I Deviny S-Class Pole: n/a S-Class Pole: n/a

2014 MINI SE7EN NOVICE Pos

No

Driver

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

1 2 3 4

91 73 89 96

Shaun TARLTON Spencer WANSTALL Thomas HARTWELL Matthew GLEAVE

1 2

2 3

1 1 1

3 2 1

2

2

3 2

1 1

2 w

2 w

2 3

2 3

1

0

13

14

23 17 2 1

FINAL POINTS 2014 DUNLOP 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 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

23 11 88 8 69 72 47 85 42 13 21 55 29 53 99 37 12 44

nc nc nc nc nc nc

102 141 118 113 136 114

nc nc nc nc nc nc

188 200 192 177 157 771

Rupert DEETH Kane ASTIN Dan WHEELER Colin PEACOCK Tony LE MAY Rob HOWARD James B COULSON Sam SUMMERHAYES Paul SIMMONDS Phil HARVEY Aaron SMITH Michael GREEN Dave DREW Niven BURGE Mark COWAN Richard CASEY Paul THOMPSON Paul CLARK Invitation Gary WARBURTON Damon ASTIN Jason BURGESS Rob PERKINS Greg CARINI Paul DE JONG Mini-7 Classic Ian CURLEY Tim STANBRIDGE Steve JONES Bill SOLLIS William WARD Nick PADDY

19 16 20 14 17 10 12 1 13 11 0 1 18 1 15

(7)

(9) (8) (6) (0) (5) (4)

1 20 17 14 19 13 16 12 1 1 1 11 18 1 15

(9)

19 20 18 15 14 17 1 1 13

18 16 17 15 1 19 14 12 13

1 19 20 17 18 14 16

1 12 0 16 1 1

20 1 0 1 1 0

15

(1) (11) (13)

(10) (1) (12)

(1) w

(0) w

13

(1)

20 18 19 15 17 13 1

16

20 19 16 1 18 1 17 14 0

18 20 19 17 1 14 1 15 0

15

1

1

16

14

(12) (0) (13)

20 1 -0 19 17 18 1 13 14 15 1 16 1

20 1 1 16 18 17 19 11 12 14 0 13 9

1

15

1

10

(14)

(14)

18 19 20 16 17 -0 15 12

1 19 20 17 16 -0 18 14

1

12

13

13

14

15

(11)

(11)

20 19 1 1

18 19 20 0

17 1

17 16

18 16

15 14

(1) (18)

(13) (16)

(13) (0)

(8) (7) (6) (10) (5) (0)

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 2 Castle Combe 21 April FL: R Howard Pole: D Wheeler 3 Brands Hatch 10 May FL: K Astin Pole: R Casey 4 Brands Hatch 11 May FL: D Wheeler Pole: R Howard 5 Cadwell Park 31 May FL: D Wheeler Pole: D Wheeler 6 Cadwell Park 1 June FL: J Coulson Pole: D Wheeler 7 Thruxton 14 June FL: D Wheeler Pole: R Deeth 8 Thruxton 15 June FL: D Wheeler Pole: R Deeth 9 Oulton Park 12 July FL: A Smith Pole: R Deeth 10 Oulton Park 12 July FL: R Deeth Pole: C Peacock 11 Donington Park 23 August FL: R Deeth Pole: D Wheeler 12 Donington Park 23 August FL: R Deeth Pole: D Wheeler 13 Croft 20 Sept’ FL: R Deeth Pole: R Deeth 14 Croft 21 Sept’ FL: R Deeth Pole: R Deeth * Invitation + Mini-7 Classic not eligible for points * #88 penalty score to count in best total ** #72 penalty scores dropped

210 208 190* 175 172 169** 145 105 99 71 70 67 63 45 45 31 29 11

-

16 16 12 12 10 10 16 15 12 12 10 9 9 13 10 10 6 9 Spax Improver: R Deeth (+13) Spax Improver: D Drew (+6) Spax Improver: Niv Burge (+14) Spax Improver: P Simmonds (+6) Spax Improver: J Coulson (+3) Spax Improver: A Smith (+4) Spax Improver: T Le May (+4) Spax Improver: S Summerhayes (+5) Spax Improver: P Harvey (+9) Spax Improver: P Harvey (+8) Spax Improver: T Le May (+6) Spax Improver: T Le May (+5) Spax Improver: P Simmonds (+4) Spax Improver: D Wheeler (+2)

213 226 208 177 173 170 148

Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

Photo Gallery

Croft Circuit, September 20-21, 2014 All images copyright www.mbracephotography.co.uk

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16

Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

Know your rival Mini 7 Racing Club drivers

Mini Se7en 1 4 5 16 22 23 35 37 38 45 46 47 49 59 60 63 69 73 88 89

Andrew Deviny Darren Thomas Ashley Davies Julian Affleck Graeme Davis Jabez Dyer Paul Spark Gareth Hunt Steve Hopper Leon Wightman Max Hunter Kelvin Edgar Ross Billison Julian Proctor Malcolm Keat Dave Robinson Steve Trench Spencer Wanstall Kieren McDonald Tom Hartwell

Newport Pagnell Gloucester Abergavenny High Wycombe London Leominster Cannock Coventry Maidenhead Dunstable Leighton Buzzard Hollywell Epsom Downs Coleford Bolton Darlington Camberley Newington Aylesbury Evesham

Mini Se7en s class 90 91 92 93 96 97

Ian Deviny Lincoln Shaun Tarlton Northampton Kevin O’Shea Frome Roland Parsloe Matthew Gleave Waltham St Lawrence James Burrows Romford

Mini 7 Classic 157 William Ward 177 Bill Sollis 188 Ian curley

Battle Hildenborough Maidstone

192 Steve Jones 200 Tim Stanbridge 771 Nick Paddy

Wells Stevington

Mini Miglia 8 11 13 16 20 21 23 29 37 42 43 44 47 53 55 69 72 79 85 88 99

Colin Peacock London Kane Astin Swaffham Bulbeck Phil Harvey Birmingham Lee Jones Northolt Mark Sims Headley Aaron Smith Maidstone Rupert Deeth Cambridge Dave Drew Alton Richard Casey Burnley Paul Simmonds Collier Street Dave Edgecombe Ledbury Paul Clark Denbigh James Coulson London Niven Burge Nr Royston Michael Green Haverfordwest Tony Le May Norwich Rob Howard Chipperfield Jon Lee Wellingborough Sam Summerhayes Bristol Daniel Wheeler Olney Mark Cowan Benfleet

Invitation 102 141 118 113 114 123

Gary Warburton Damon Astin Jason Burgess Rob Perkins Paul De Jong Gordon Pocock

Frodsham Ely Peterborough Peterborough Asperen, NL Church Westcote

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17

Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

JOIN THE CLUB

M

SPONSORS

ISSUE

01 June 2013

The Official

I s s ue 0 1 / 1 2

Newsletter of

The Official Monthly

The Mini Se7en Racing Club

ini 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.

Contacts Mike Jackson

0121 707 5881 i7.co.uk mike.jackson@min

Jeff Carter

07969 157921 o.uk jeff.carter@mini7.c

Jamie Snelling 07814 726270

Matt Barrington 07756 712333

Supporters The 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

Newsletter of the Mini

7 Racing Club

E NT RI E S O P EN 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 intending to participate get their entries in as soon as possible.

O 20 13 F LY ING S T AR T T

Mini s as usual for the It’s been busines as this year’s Se7en Racing Club got off to a roaring championships and 1 at Donington start. With Round under at Rockingham Round 2 & 3 has well and truly season the belts our t with it all the begun, and brough action we exys hard fought sidewa

to selong way to go that he’s got a of ionship, and cure the champ the never discount course you can Peter 6-time winner experience of

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

Baldwin.

a few brought with it 2013 has also way that changes in the

Chairman’s Chat

As of Round 3 it’s , lead of the Se7ens Paul Spark in the Donny and placed having won at Rockingham races. strongly in both ent from the threestatem It’s a strong who will be looking time champion, in on the board to put early points consecutive title. pursuit of his fourth been an all Kane In the Miglias it’s from three victories Astin affair so far; in him very much three outings leave from performances control. But good Tristen Knight show and Aaron Smith

ni- Sponsor commuNew M7RC off and teams, startingThe Next Events cate with fans Read look newsletter. with this new Club Bulletin else we’re doing on to find out what Europe’s longest to make sure that ls to series appeaNews make single running everybody.

Race Reports Championship Table This Issue

You can online at

 

you

C RAC K I NG S TA RT

INSIDE THIS ISSU E 2 3 4

6

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

7

C OM B E

FOR

soon as possible.

We also need to make sure the TV commentators have an accurate entry list ahead of the event so driver profiles can be prepared. Remember this is LIVE TV!

Or

pect.

A pr i l 2 0 1 2

download the entry form from the website and pay Mike Jackson at Donington Park next weekend. 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.

enter 

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

can

TO

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-

201 2

counter 2010 Champion 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

8 11

Contacts ham Reports Doning ton & Rocking Mike Jackson Modern isers 0121 707 5881 Meet the Mini Se7en mike.jackson s @mini7.co.uk Photo Gallerie

s and Archive Jeff Carter Upcomi ng Events

07969 157921 jeff.carter@mini7.co.uk

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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.

Racers To 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 • • • • • •

Quick Links

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

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

Roll of Honour

SPONSORS

The Champions YEAR Mini Se7en Mini Miglia

YEAR Mini Se7en Mini Miglia

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966

Andrew Deviny Rupert Deeth Andrew Deviny Peter Baldwin Paul Spark Peter Baldwin Paul Spark Endaf Owens Paul Spark Paul Thompson Kane Astin Andy Hack Paul Thompson Andy Hack Max Hunter Andy Hack Andrew Deviny Bill Sollis Paul Thompson Peter Baldwin James Hall Peter Baldwin Tim Sims Peter Baldwin Tim Sims Chris Lewis Tim Sims Peter Baldwin Dave Braggins Peter Baldwin Dave Braggins Ian Curley Matt Hayman Ian Curley Steve Bell Bill Sollis Phil Manser Stewart Drake Mike Jackson Chris Lewis Ian Curley Chris Lewis Tina Cooper Ian Gunn Mike Jackson Myk Cable Bill Sollis Myk Cable Bill Sollis Owen Hall Steve Cooper Myk Cable Malcolm Joyce Russell Grady Chris Tyrell Russell Grady Chris Tyrell Russell Grady Russell Grady Mike Fry

Quick Links

Chris Gould Mike Fry Chris Gould Chris Lewis Gerald Dale Chris Lewis Gary Hall Chris Hampshire Jonathan Lewis Roland Nix Patrick Watts Phil Spurling Steve Hall Phil Spurling Martin Goodall Paul Gaymer Graham Wenham Mike Curnow Graham Wenham Alan Curnow Chris Tyrell Russell Dell Mick Moss Phil Spurling Reg Armstrong Mick Osborne Graham Wenham Len Brammer Len Brammer Mick Osborne Paul Gaymer Mick Osborne Bob Fox Bob Fox

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Pit &Pit Paddock & Paddock September October Season July August End 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Issue Issue Issue Issue Issue 7 4675

Club Contacts CHAIRMAN Nick Cooke E: nick.cooke@mini7.co.uk COMMERCIAL MANAGER Colin Peacock E: colin.peacock@mini7.co.uk TREASURER Jeffrey Parish E: jeffrey.parish@mini7.co.uk CHAMPIONSHIP CO-ORDINATOR Richard Williamson E: richard.williamson@mini7.co.uk COMPETITION MANAGER Mike Jackson E: mike.jackson@mini7.co.uk Membership Secretary Jacquie Martin E: membership@mini7.co.uk

M7RC NEWSLETTER EDITORIAL TEAM Editor Craig McBeth editor@love-mini.co.uk Photos Matthew Barrington www.mbracephotography.co.uk Words Richard Williamson richard.williamson@mini7.co.uk Reporter Mark Chandler SPONSORS

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20