Thruxton Mighty Minis Championship - Wiltshire

Thruxton, in Wiltshire, is the fastest circuit in the UK and made a welcome return for the Super Mighty Minis Championship. The average speed for a lap around her in a Super Mighty Mini is nudging 86mph.


A stunning June morning greeted the drivers for qualifying. Alex Comis in the 41 Mini Spares car was looking strong, attacking the curbs and lifting wheels through the oh-so-important chicanes. At the end of the session, he posted a time that put him mid-field in 8th place.

“On the one hand I’m disappointed with that but equally, I didn’t get a clear lap so I know I’ll be quicker in the race” Comis explained back in the paddock. For the 1st race of the weekend, although the wind had picked up, the sun was still beaming as the cars were in position on the grid. Lights out and the race was GO. A clean launch for all cars saw a tight pack of Minis fighting for position up to the 1st chicane. Comis exited still in 8th, but was hounding the 3 cars in front as the cars bucked and shimmied through the fast, sweeping, bumpy corners of this epic track.
Mid race and Comis was up-to-5th place though Dave Kirkpatrick was putting up a keen fight. With Comis punching a nice hole in the air, he was soon back in to 7th place as the chasing cars took advantage of the aerodynamic tow. Comis, though, was about to return the favour until an horrific looking role brought out the red flag with the race result declared from the positions of the previous lap; 5th, place for Comis. In Parc Ferme, our man gave us his thoughts:

“Luckily everyone is safe which is testimony to the safety equipment in these cars. I got a reasonable start but just got crowded out in to the 1st chicane. The pack was close for most of the race and there were places I could make a move. 5th place is reasonable but I’m hoping for better tomorrow [race 2]”.

Sunday and everyone was looking skyward with possible showers predicted. Sure enough, 30 minutes before the race the heavens opened in no uncertain terms, but by the time the cars were on the grid, the track was dry again. With reverse grids, Comis had a front row start. Another solid start saw Comis hold position though a rocket start from Elliot Stafford from 4th to take the lead saw Comis demoted to 3rd before losing out through the 1st chicane to exit in 7th. The fightback was on. One thing Mighty Minis always delivers on is close racing and at a track like Thruxton, this was guaranteed: Cars were swapping places throughout the field so much so it was impossible to keep up! As the mid-point of the race approached, Comis was picking of places until a well timed move out of the tow down the flat out back straight saw Comis snatch 2nd from 5th! With the race edging it’s way to the flag, the pack of Supers had to negotiate backmarkers. An unfortunately positioned backmarker through Club chicane hampered Comis. With the momentum lost, he was a sitting duck as the pack had the advantage up to Noble and Goodwood. With 2 laps remaining, Comis was not done and was trying all he could to get the advantage back. As the pack headed in to Club for the last time, it really was anyone's and at the flag, 6 tenths-of-a-second split 2nd to Comis, in another 5th place.

“That was an epic race”. Said Comis after extracting himself from his car.
“It was incredibly close between us all, all race. I knew holding on to 2nd at that stage in the race would be tough, but it was frustrating to get caught out by a back marker, but these things happen. Either way it’s solid points for the Championship and now it’s time to look towards Brands.”
Indeed the Mighty and Super Mighty Minis Championship moves on to Brands Hatch and the Mini Festival for rounds 7 and 8 on the 8th and 9th July. Be sure to come along for some of the closest, most exciting racing around.


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