Cadwell Park Race Report - Alex Comis

After the close battles of Oulton Park, rounds 11 and 12 moved on to one of the most challenging tracks in the world; Cadwell Park. Often referred to as the “mini Nürburgring”, any little mistakes at Cadwell can cost more than just a bad lap time!

With near perfect conditions in the late September sun, our man Alex Comis put the Mini Spares car on 7th place in qualifying.

“7th isn’t too bad considering this tends to be one of my weaker circuits. I made a couple of mistakes and I didn’t get any tow along the long Park Straight either so I should think there’s more to be had in race 1”

With the cars lined up on the tight start finish straight, it would be imperative to get a strong launch from the lights. Comis made an electrifying start as all the cars jockeyed for position in to the first corner. After being hung out to dry on the outside of Charlie’s, Comis maintained 7th and was on the attack.

As the race headed towards half distance, Comis was sizing up 6th. With a good run out of Barn, he had the run down the start finish straight and was up alongside David Kirkpatrick just before committing to the 4th gear, flat-out, blind turn one. Next in his sights was Chris Slade. Within 2 laps, Comis executed the exact same move and was now in 5th and immediately set about chasing down the leaders. Unfortunately, the chequered flag would put an end to Comis’ charge but 5th was a fantastic place to finish at such a track.

“That was a great little race. The car feels fantastic through fast corners and that’s where I could catch people. It’s a bit of a shame I couldn’t catch the leaders in time, but it sets me up nicely for the second race”.

With Comis now starting from 5th on the grid, there was a real chance of a good result. As the lights went out, Comis got an absolutely flying start and was up to 3rd, though Championship leader, Jamie White was soon up the inside with both cars door handle to door handle in to Charlie’s 1 & 2. With the worst of the 2 lines, Comis exited in 4th, but was well in the hunt!

Corner after corner, the lead 4 put on an epic display of unbelievably close racing. By Mid distance, Comis had fastest lap. Surely he could challenge for the podium! With Nev Kirkpatrick defending hard from Jamie White, Comis was able to sneak up the inside from time-to-time but couldn’t make the moves stick. Final lap, and there was nothing to choose between the lead 4, alas fastest lap was snatched away from Comis by 1/100th of a second! Still, Comis was on the attack and pushing hard. As the flag dropped, 4th would be his final reward with just a few tenths separating the top 4.

Back in the Paddock, it was clear Comis was thrilled with the result:

“That was an amazing race! Considering this is my bogie circuit, coming away with a 4th and holding the fastest lap for most of the race is brilliant. It certainly looks good for the final 2 rounds at Donnington!”

Indeed the finale at Donnington, including the exclusive night race, looks set to be epic. Be sure to be there to witness some of the closest racing in Motorsport on the 19th & 20th October!

 

 

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