Mallory Park was the venue for the penultimate round of the 2008 Super Mighty Minis Championship. A fine start to the day soon clouded over as so may days this summer as Comis was looking for a return to form with a new gearbox.

With the Autumnal sun making a brief but welcome appearance, qualifying seemed to go well for The Mini Spares Man in car 4. With the times tumbling as tyre temperatures got to their optimum, less than a second split the entire field!

Ending the session in 10th, just half a second off pole, Comis had a level of confidence for the race: “I needed some [aerodynamic] tow along the long straights to get a better lap in, so I’m not too worried for the race, it should make it interesting from 10th!” After the halfhearted attempt at rain that was more akin to a heavy mist, the “Supers” were lined up on a dry grid, ready for automotive battle.

After being held on the red light for what seemed like an eternity, the race was underway to an explosion of engine noise and darting minis hunting for prime asphalt. Comis made another solid start and made up a place in to the long fast 1st corner.

Tim Harber was keen to hold his place and defended robustly against Comis. After the flat out back straight, the 2nd gear hairpin is always a place for daring moves and gambles. With most electing to take the defensive line in to the hairpin, Comis steamed in, late on the brakes round the out side and made up another couple of places. Indeed he was a man on the move. With the pack so close, the lead and every other position changed at every corner.

Two-thirds race distance completed, and Comis seemed to miss a gear out of the hairpin and all his hard work unravelled in a couple of seconds. At the finish line, Comis made it home in 12th place with little separating the lead pack. Back in the paddock, Comis was putting a brave face on what was clearly a frustrating result: “Well, I seem to be resolving the reliability problems that have struck this year, but the new gearbox, or me, was a little stubborn between 2nd and 3rd probably as it’s new.

I struggled with it on a couple of crucial laps, which made progress difficult. Still, it was a good close race to that point and again another display of top clean driving from all. The final round of the 2008 Championship moves to the fantastic Donington Park, A favourite track of Comis, on the 1st and 2nd November.