M7RC15 Issue1

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2015 Season previewOfficial Mini Se7en Racing Club Newsletter

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DUNLOP MINI SE7EN & MINI MIGLIA CHALLENGE supported by MINI SPARES

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Pit and Paddock

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Preview: rounds 1&2 castle combe aPril 6, 2015WORDS:RichardWilliamson

2015

MINI SE7ENAmazingly, the Mini Se7ens go into their 50th racing season, having started begun the same year as England’s football World Cup victory, in 1966. Combe hosted one of six races in that debut campaign, and has continued to offer crowd-pleasing Mini action ever since.

Favourites at Combe in the

1-litre category include reigning (three-time 2014, 2013, 2006) champion Andrew Deviny, who won the opener last season, and series runner-up Darren Thomas, who triumphed in the second race despite crossing the line virtually sideways!

Also expected to be in the mix are former champions Max Hunter

as in 2014, castle combe opens this season’s mini se7en and mini miglia challenges, with entertainment guaranteed from these classic compact stalwarts of british club racing.

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MINI MIGLIA

The faster, more powerful Mini Miglias will ‘only’

be starting their 46th Challenge campaign, having first graced the club racing calendar in 1970, primarily as a stepping stone for seasoned Mini Se7en drivers looking for a step up in performance.

The entry of 1.3-litre racers is headed by Rupert Deeth, looking to clinch back-to-back titles having finally got race-win ‘monkey’ off his back in 2014 after several seasons of near misses. Hot on his heels will

be perennial series bridesmaid Kane Astin, who won the second round at Combe last April, while others likely to be up front include Colin Peacock, Rob Howard, Dave Drew and Dan Wheeler.

The Miglia grid may also include non-championship ‘guest’ Minis, either running in Mini-7 Classic or Invitation classes. The former is primarily for historic racing Minis, Dunlop-shod, and carrying distinctive ‘period’ roundels, while the latter caters for a variety of other A-Series examples.

LaP ReCORd: Max Hunter TiMe: 1:24.882 ave. 78.46 mph on 30 May 2005Mini se7en RecoRds

MiNi MiGLia ReCORdS

LaP ReCORd: Kelly Rogers TiMe. 1:17.551 ave: 85.88 mph on 23 June 2007

Pit & Paddock april 2015 issue 1




(2007), Paul Spark (2012, 2011, 2010) and Tina Cooper (1993), plus race winners from

last season Ashley Davies and Graeme Davis, while reigning Novice champion Shaun

Tarlton is aiming to defend his title in the lesser-tuned, budget S-Class too.







RW would like to point out that in the recent Pitlane Review M7RC magazines, the current Mini Miglia lap record for Brands Hatch Indy circuit should have been 0:54.605 (average 79.63 mph) , set on 23 June 2013 by Peter Baldwin, and not the one listed for Rupert Deeth at 0:54.698 (79.50 mph) set on 22 September 2013. Thanks to June Baldwin for pointing out the oversight…

Mini Se7en News

APOLOGy: AFAStER MAStER


Amemorable awards night saw numerous trophies being handed out to many worthy winners, but it was the two Championship trophies that mean the most, and Se7en’s champ Andrew Deviny and Miglia champ Rupert Deeth were delighted to add to their silverware, whilst Shaun Tarlton picked up the S Class Champion trophy.

Other winners included Gareth Hunt receiving the Bryan Slark Valve Award for having some misfortune last season; Spencer Wanstall with the Tom Jarratt trophy for the Best Newcomer; The Dunlop Cup for most improved went to Rob Howard in the Miglias and Leon Wightman in the Se7ens; the

Fred Jackson Memorial Trophy went to Colin Peacock for all his hard

work, dedication and positive representation of the club.

AwARdS NIGht 2014




RACE DATES 2015

Rd 1/2 April 6 Castle Combe Rd 3/4 May 9-10 Snetterton 200Rd 5/6 May 30-31 RockinghamRd 7/8 June 27-28 Brands Hatch Mini Festival (TV)Rd 9/10 July 25-26 Donington ParkRd 11/12 August 8 Oulton Park Mini Festival (TV)Rd 13/14 Sept 19-20 Silverstone Int’l & 50th Party (TV)50 Plate Oct 31 - Nov 1 Snetterton 300

APRIl 6 Round 1 & 2Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 7EY01249 782417www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk

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Race timetableCastle Combe April 6, 2015

Mini7Qualifying 09.25 - 09.45Race 1 13.15 - 13.30Race 2 16.30 - 16.45

MiniMigliaQualifying 10.25 -10.45Race 1 14.10 -14.25Race 2 17.25 -17.40

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PhotoGalleryBest of 2014All images copyright www.mbracephotography.co.uk

From the archives: Castle Combe10, 20, 30, 40 years ago A delve into the M7RC Archive helps us to recap what happened over the decades at Croft Circuit around this time of year.

WORDS:RichardWilliamsonPHOTOS:M7RCArchive


In a very short 10-round Challenge, the BRSCC (South West) played host to the

M7RC’s second round of the season, on 30 May. Cloudy morning qualifying gave way to a dry, bright afternoon, with the 1.0-litre Mini Se7ens up first. This was not the closest finish in Mini Se7en history however, as poleman Andrew Deviny managed to pull out over six seconds by the flag after 14 pounding laps, the finishing rate down on average with only

14 of the original 27 entries still running at the end. Dave Banwell led home the chasing pack from Max Hunter, who set a new lap record of 1:24.882 (78.46 mph) for the modern 1.85-mile track, with Champion-elect Paul Thompson in fourth from Kane Astin and James Winnifrith. Familiar names still on the entry lists today included Niven Burge, Steven Hopper, James Coulson, Damon Astin, Malcolm Keat, Graeme Davis and Ian Deviny.

Best of the 21-car Mini Miglia field, as he was for a further seven races during the season, was Peter Baldwin who led away from pole, although Kelly Rogers ran him

close to the tune of 0.372 secs at the flag after an extended 16 laps around the Wiltshire track. Hopping from 1.0 to the 1.3 discipline, Max Hunter doubled his tally of thirds, likewise his tally of fastest laps for the weekend, followed by Andy Hack, Colin Peacock and Tim Sims completing the top half-dozen. Other familiar names then as now included Michael Green, Mark Sims and Paul Simmonds.

Se7en grid led away by Andrew Deviny and Paul Thompson

Photo: M7RC Archive (Pitlane)

Miglia midfield; Jonathan Lloyd (11) and Gordon Pocock (15) Photo: M7RC Archive (Pitlane)

10 Years ago




Peter Baldwin on his way to another Miglia title. Photo: M7RC Archive

20 Years ago


From the archives: Castle Combe10, 20, 30, 40 years ago

Less than three weeks after returning from Spa

in Belgium, both classes still produced huge fields for the appreciative spectators, as the BRSCC (SW) put on Combe’s first-ever 2-day meeting over 1-2 July as part of the ‘Best of British’ package.

A whopping 38 Mini Se7ens entered, with 32 setting out in the first of the 8-lap double-header races, on the Saturday (round 8 of 16). In a typically close slipstreamer it was previous season’s title runner-up Shaun King who narrowly held off Champion-to-be, and pole position man, Mike Jackson by a mere 0.39 secs, with Dave Braggins in their shadows, followed by Mickey Bray, Dave Banwell and Tim Sims a few lengths back. In 9th, Steve Bell set the fastest lap for the original 1.84-mile (pre-chicanes) track, while Paul Thompson, Steven Hopper and Rob Selby were further down the list of 27

finishers. The following day (round

9), this time King started from pole and again crossed the finishing line ahead (also setting fastest lap), but only after Jackson had gone off on lap 7 when in mid-dice, leaving Braggins, Banwell, Matt Hayman, Rob Cullum and Genny Cooke (later to become Mrs Gunn) to round out the top six, and Bell in 7th from Tim Sims.

There were 32 Miglias on the entry, and it proved to be a good weekend for reigning Champ’ Chris Lewis, the Yorkshireman’s double victory helping him on his way to a fourth Miglia title at season’s end. His margin over Peter Baldwin on the Saturday was just 0.65 secs, with Ian Curley, Bill Sollis, Ian Scott and Jonathan

Lloyd next up. Paul Brend had taken a surprise pole position but several spins saw him drop back down the order to 14th

of 21 finishers when the red-flag was flown and the result counted back to 6 laps, during which time Curley had established a new lap record of 1:10.89 at an average of 93.44 mph! Starting from pole on the Sunday, Lewis’ advantage had shrunk further to 0.46s after the full 8 lap encounter, this time Sollis moving into the runner-up slot, including fastest lap just 0,2 slower than Curley’s the day before, with the latter in third from Baldwin, Scott again in fifth and Stewart Drake (the 1996 Champ’) in sixth. Of note elsewhere in the field were former Champs Ian Gunn and Myk Cable (backed by Mini Spares), while seasoned campaigner Peter Calver was by now running a metallic blue ‘Mini 35’ replica racer to follow in the vein of his previous cherry red ‘Mini 30’ and silver ‘Mini 25’ versions. Reliabililty was pretty good in Migs too, with 20 of the 22 starters seeing the chequered flag.

Mike Jackson gets out of shape as Shaun King prepares to pounce in the Mini Se7en lead battle. Photo: M7RC Archive / Ferret Fotographics (M Harvey)

Shaun King heads Mike Jackson in Mini Se7en lead duelPhoto: M7RC Archive / Ferret Fotographics (M Harvey)






With a hiatus in official backing from the Mini parent company,

numbers were slightly down on previous seasons, but the racing was still as competitive as ever. The BRSCC (SW) hosted two meetings in 1985, the first, round 3-of-15 coming on 8 April and part of the Shell Oils Thundersaloons Race Day. In the still-850cc Mini Se7ens, Champion-elect Russell Grady fought off the attentions of Mike Jackson and poleman Chris Tyrrell by a scant 0.3 secs over 10 laps, with Ralph Budd (father of recent Se7en converts Charlie and Daniel) in fourth from Steve Mole and Nigel ‘Boot’ Gaymer’s Boopspeed car. Mole set the fastest lap, while future Champions to miss out were top

Novice Bill Sollis who dropped out at mid-distance, and 2015 returnee Tina Cooper who non-started. Of the 19-strong grid, 16 finished.

The then-1000cc Miglia race was less tight up front, reigning Champ Mike Fry pulling away from pole position - in the process setting the fastest race lap - to an eventual 12 secs advantage after 10 laps, leaving Peter Allen and Gerald Dale to fight over second. Renowned engine tuner Steve Harris took fourth

from Dave Hancock and Danny Allpress, and 13 of the 23 starters finished.

The grids had shrunk a little more by rounds 11 at the BRSCC (SW) Bank Holiday Race Day on 26 August. Over 10 laps, and from a field of 16 Se7ens, victory went to pole-sitter Chris Tyrrell by what seemed a comfortable 2.9 secs from Mike Jackson, who set the fastest lap, with James Hulme taking the final podium position. Behind, Ben Dutson got the better of Alan Seekings and Colin Rodger ahead of four more finishers.

For once, Mike Fry was knocked off of top spot in Miglias, David Carvell’s Howley-tuned example getting the nod by a blink of 0.1 secs and setting the quickest race lap. Gerald Dale took another third place, leaving Bev Comber, Graham Chivers and Peter Calver to complete the top six from the 12 survivors of a 15-car grid.

30 Years ago

Se7ens; Stephen Finniss heads Colin Rodger into Camp cornerPhoto: M+A Jackson Collection

Miglia battle with Peter Allen, John Davies and Richard Wager to the fore. Photo: M+A Jackson Collection






It was an early season visit for round 2 of the 19-round Miglia series on Bank

Holiday Monday 31 March, a meeting hosted by BRSCC (SW). From 17 starters, Alan Curnow’s Wessex Kentreds car flashed across the line just 0.6 sec ahead of poleman Steve Harris in what would become the end-of-season championship order. John Hazell was nearly 30 secs in arrears in third, with Tom Hurn, Kevin Johnston and Martin Ennis next up of 12 finishers. Curnow set a new lap record of 1:17.2 (85.80 mph).

Both formulae attended the ‘Evered Trophy Race Meeting’ on 26 May, promoted by the Hagley & District Light Car Club. Each race was the seventh round, and in the 850cc Mini Se7ens, Terry Pudwell edged out pole starter and Champion-to-be (for the second time) Graham Wenham by 0.6 secs. Jim Mancey, Chris Tyrrell, Reg Armstrong and Alan Seekings were the best of the rest, while among the remaining 20 finishers from a 29-car entry, were Martin Goodall’s Tiger comic-backed ‘Marvellous’ Mini, and top novice Jeremy Wheatley. Pudwell’s quickest lap set a new record at 1:22.4 (80.39 mph).

Thirteen 998cc Miglias joined half a dozen Special Saloons and, after setting class pole, Alan Curnow then took class honours

too, in second overall behind a 1.3 Cooper S, also equalling his lap record from a couple of months previous in his Longman-powered machine. Steve Harris again collected 9 points, with

previous season’s Champion Russell Dell third in a Ripspeed-backed car. John Bradburn (Aldon), Rick Cutting and Tom Hurn came next.

Seasonal review from M7RC ArchiveImage: M7RC Archive

40 Years ago




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MINI SE7EN1 Andrew Deviny Driver3 Graeme Davis SOCOMEC4 Leon Wightman Driver5 Kieren McDonald Big Mac Racing6 Ashley Davies SMG Motorsport 7 Julian Proctor Roonspeed 9 Steve Trench SJT Racing/Floss-a-lot11 Charlie Budd Pristine Condition18 Lewis Selby Selby Motorsport21 Tina Cooper Driver23 Jabez Dyer Driver35 Paul Spark A+ Racing37 Gareth Hunt Driver44 Adam Smith A L Motorsport46 Max Hunter Hunters Garage47 Kelvin Edgar Kelsport60 Malcolm Keat Driver63 Dave Robinson Kat7Racing.co.uk73 Spencer Wanstall Driver

MINI SE7EN S cLASS90 Ian Deviny Driver91 Shaun Tarlton Shaun Tarlton Racing92 Kevin O Shea Driver93 Roland Parsloe Driver97 James Burrows Altered Image

Know your rivalMini 7 Racing Club drivers


MINI MIGLIA1 Rupert Deeth Team Deeth Racing4 Colin Peacock Mondo Sport 11 Kane Astin Driver 21 Aaron Smith AAA Racing 29 David Drew Driver 31 Phil Dale Driver48 Ian Bristoll Driver49 Gary Warburton Driver 50 Daniel Wheeler Driver 55 Michael Green Driver 77 Tristen Knight Wenden Garage Racing 85 Sam Summerhayes Lodway Service Station 99 Mark Cowan Baldwin Motorsport

INvItAtION111 Jonathan Lewis Driver157 William Ward Driver113 Phil Harvey Motley Mini 1300184 Steve Jones Dale Racing










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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











2014 andrew deviny Rupert deeth2013 andrew deviny Peter Baldwin2012 Paul Spark Peter Baldwin2011 Paul Spark endaf Owens2010 Paul Spark Paul Thompson2009 Kane astin andy Hack2008 Paul Thompson andy Hack2007 Max Hunter andy Hack2006 andrew deviny Bill Sollis2005 Paul Thompson Peter Baldwin2004 James Hall Peter Baldwin2003 Tim Sims Peter Baldwin2002 Tim Sims Chris Lewis2001 Tim Sims Peter Baldwin2000 dave Braggins Peter Baldwin1999 dave Braggins ian Curley1998 Matt Hayman ian Curley1997 Steve Bell Bill Sollis1996 Phil Manser Stewart drake1995 Mike Jackson Chris Lewis1994 ian Curley Chris Lewis1993 Tina Cooper ian Gunn1992 Mike Jackson Myk Cable1991 Bill Sollis Myk Cable1990 Bill Sollis Owen Hall1989 Steve Cooper Myk Cable1988 Malcolm Joyce Russell Grady1987 Chris Tyrell Russell Grady1986 Chris Tyrell Russell Grady1985 Russell Grady Mike Fry

1984 Chris Gould Mike Fry1983 Chris Gould Chris Lewis1982 Gerald dale Chris Lewis1981 Gary Hall Chris Hampshire1980 Jonathan Lewis Roland Nix1979 Patrick Watts Phil Spurling1978 Steve Hall Phil Spurling1977 Martin Goodall Paul Gaymer1976 Graham Wenham Mike Curnow1975 Graham Wenham alan Curnow1974 Chris Tyrell Russell dell1973 Mick Moss Phil Spurling1972 Reg armstrong Mick Osborne1971 Graham Wenham Len Brammer1970 Len Brammer Mick Osborne1969 Paul Gaymer 1968 Mick Osborne1967 Bob Fox1966 Bob Fox

YeaR MiNi Se7eN MiNi MiGLia YeaR MiNi Se7eN MiNi MiGLia

Roll of HonourThe champions


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CHAIRMANNick CookeE: [email protected]

COMMERCIALMANAGERColin PeacockE: [email protected]

TREASURERJeffrey ParishE: [email protected]

CHAMPIONSHIPCO-ORDINATORRichard WilliamsonE: [email protected]

COMPETITIONMANAGERMike JacksonE: [email protected]

MEMbERSHIPSECRETARyJacquie MartinE: [email protected]

PRESSOFFICERCraig McBethE: [email protected]

club contactsM7RCNEWSLETTEREDITORIALTEAM

EDITORCraig [email protected]

PHOTOSMatthew Barringtonwww.mbracephotography.co.uk

WORDS Richard [email protected]

REPORTERThomas Bonnington







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