The Pleasure and the Pain

A very strange blog to write this one as after the joys of wining both the races at Snetterton we at www.snettertonspeedshop.co.uk have been flat out, yes we have finally got a web site lol so have a look and if we can help you with your classic Mini give me a call anytime. So back on track, after Snetterton we have a race shop full of Classic racing Minis, as most of the top 6 cars had been left with us at SSS to fit our now legendary set up, as well as have a quick check on our rolling road. Tiny Ted Me and Temporary Ted set to working on the cars left, most of them all needed new parts and a long list was ordered from Mini Spares and as usual they arrived in perfect order within days of order - from new Moulton cones to brake pads and pin. Lots of shinny new parts to put onto our customers cars.

One by One the cars were getting finished and power checked. One of the most rewarding things for me was to see what are my top 5 rivals cars on my rolling road, almost back to back, something most Championships will never see. The fact that all 7 cars were within 2 bhp of each other makes you realise just how good Mighty minis is a race series for fair play and the drivers and car set up makes all the difference. I was pleased as my car was not the best about half way to be honest.
As you will be aware we buy and sell, as well as rent out caravans and August is a very busy time for us with festivals and big race meetings at Snetterton, so flat out 7 days a week is no joke.

Whiles sorting out the race Minis for Oulton Park, I had to go into hospital for a hernia operation as I have had one for quite some time and its begun to get very painful as well as large haha. So in I go expecting a simple op and be out and ready to race 2 weeks later, unfortunately the op took much longer than expected as the hernia had prolapsed and went from being a quick key hole surgery to an hour and a 8 inch scar. I woke up with nuts like space hoppers and in a bit of pain and I knew there and then I was stuffed for Oulton Park 2 weeks later.

I desperately wanted to race but in my heart I knew it was going to be Cadwell in September before I could. So we set about getting all the customers cars bang on and also sorting out Chris Slades car for the Super races.

We loaded the car into our new big box trailer and I was going to tow the Bailey caravan down to Oulton behind my car, yes I know i was not supposed to be driving but Temporary Ted's not old enough to tow and I had my 2 girls to look after as well as they were still on Summer holidays. So sod it, off we went, about half way there I get a text from Tiny Ted behind asking me if I needed a rest as I was weaving all over the M6, what he did not know was that the Dr had told me that now and again I would get electric type shocks from the op as some of the nerves had been cut, well I was getting shocks all right, but they were like a tazer in the nuts lol. Luckily after a few miles they went and we cruised to Oulton and set up.

In the Mighty qualifier I helped young Zack Booth as well as Charlie Budd, both quick young lads who need a bit of guidance. Zack is lucky as his Dad gives him lots of good advice and he has my old car from last year so he's OK. Young Charlie has a good driver in his dad Ralph but Charlie's car is, lets say not the best and he is a classic young Mini driver who over drives the car. I learnt at Van Diemen with the works teams that most young drivers overdrive a car and if you can calm them down they go faster.
After Mighty qualify we were delighted as all the cars we had set up at SSS were in the top 10, with Penny Jones as a remarkable 7th on the grid, we had the top 4. We were happy and so were the drivers, a great advert for all our hard work.

In the Super quaili we managed 6th but we still had a problem with Chris' car as it seems to loose power after a few laps, so we changed the fuel pump and filter to see if that would help.

In the first Mighty race Zack drove very well without me to use as a yard stick and I told him just imagine me there in front of him and not to use his mirrors. He did it to perfection and pulled out 12 seconds at the flag a perfect first win, I think. I was as relived as his dad and very proud of him, to make the day perfect Steve Rideout came second and Charlie Budd third all in SSS set up cars.

In the first Super race Chris battled hard but seemed stuck at 6th place pace, we did not have any more speed. After the race he said with the new pump the car was better but still slow, so we decided the only thing left to do was to change the whole SPi unit as we had changed the rest of the car and to hope race 2 would be better.

In the second Mighty race it was manic at the front as Steve Ridout and Ralph Budd came together going down cascades corner, this gave Zack a little gap. Chasing after him was Charlie Budd who for the first 6 laps kept Zack honest, at the end though Zack reeled off some very consistent laps and pulled out about 5 seconds over Charlie and another SSS set up car in 3rd this time, Damian Harrington. So all in all a great Mighty Meeting just a shame I had to stand and watch. Next time boys, next time.

The final Super race was at 6pm but at least we ran faster with the new SPi unit running in the car as it should do. Chris battled hard all race with Bob Bennett. To be fair, I think we did ok considering it's Chris' first season of Supers. All in all, a great weekend but I want to be back in a car. See you all at Cadwell.

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