LEWIS GUNS DOWN THE OPPOSITION AT COMBE

Castle Combe was the venue for the fifth and sixth rounds of the Mighty Minis racing championships last Monday and as ever, they were the entertainment of the day. With almost 50 Mighty Minis making their way to the Wiltshire circuit, the stage was set for a classic day of Mini racing.

Gary Patterson won a controversial first race when a race long tap-dance with Chris Morgan ended on the last lap with Morgan heading off into the tyre wall. Patterson described it as his least favourite win, due to the minor contact which caused the incident.

Mini stalwart Bob Bennetts proved he still has what it takes with a fantastic podium finish in the first race, but an under fuelled car put paid to his efforts in the second tour. Chris Slade had his first outing in his newly built Super and described the experience as thrilling. Fellow Plymouth resident Louise Inch failed to get onto the podium, but put up a good fight in both races. Patterson took a second win with a determined drive from pole.

Mighty Minis racing saw a well-deserved win in the first race by the Bailey Caravans sponsored Jonathan Lewis who was having his first outing in his Mighty Mini after stepping down from the Super Mighty Minis. Championship leader Chris Slade and Kelvin Fletcher harried him to the line but the duel between them left Lewis with a free hand at the front.

Lewis reigned supreme in the second race with a ‘lights to flag’ victory, showing his experience as a multi title winning Mini driver. Greg Jenkins had an early bath after losing control at the very fast Camp corner and speared into the tyre wall. The Safety Car was deployed whilst his stricken Mini was recovered and Lewis made the best of the restart leaving everyone in his wake to take a second win.

Many of the Mini drivers were handed five second penalties by the Clerk of the Course for exceeding the confines of the white lines, something the MSA are keen to clamp down on, and hopefully the lesson will have been learnt for the remaining rounds.