A barmy mid summer-esque May weekend greeted the Super Mighty Mini championship to rounds 3 and 4 at Snetterton, Norfolk. Jokingly nick-named the Far East round by some drivers due to its location, Snetterton is a circuit that as seen some of my better results.

Saturday qualifying saw me achieve a hassle free 3rd on the grid with only 2 tenths of a second separating me from the pole-sitter. Sunday was race day, and all the merriment of the meal the night before with some of the other competitors was soon a distant thought as we were called to the grid.

This, I thought was it; Never have I had such a chance and felt so positive. As the red lights came on, the thundering growl of engines was soon transformed into erratic forward motion, as the race got under way. I made a fair start and was shoulder to shoulder with the second placed car though the first two corners. All was going well until I thought I heard something unusual. As the first of two 30-minute races unfolded a train of super fast minis hounded each other for the lead.

Suddenly I found myself struggling to hold onto 3rd place, what I thought I heard earlier was back. I couldn’t believe it, the engine developed an intermittent miss-fire making the car feel like a bucking mule though the super fast corners as it learched and coughed. With things not going too well I was glad to see the chequered flag and a 4th place. Back in the paddock it was clear to see what the problem was; a spark plug that was not all there! Dispite of this, and to my utter surprise,

I had managed to set the fastest lap of the race and a new lap record! The relief of getting the engine running smoothly again was tampered by the thought that maybe all was not sorted. I soon found that I had nothing to worry about. On the grid for the second and final time of the weekend I made a lightning start (that at first I didn’t think was that hot). By turn one I had launched the car from 4th to 1st. I was leading my first ever race.

Bizarrely, I wasn’t jubilant, but surprisingly calm and focused. With clear track ahead I could see the pack descend on me. I was briefly overtaken but soon fought back for the uncluttered views of empty track. This was going to be tough. For the remainder of the race I Battled for 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th as we all swapped places lap after lap. Some poor defending towards the closing stages of the race saw me cross the line less than half a second behind second place.

Though winning would have made my day I had achieved many personal bests: This was the first time I had lead a race, scored a fastest lap, set a lap record (though this was short lived as winner of the second race raised the bar even higher), and finished on the podium. With a 4th and a 3rd and points for a fastest lap, The Minispares Super Mighty Mini is now lying in 2nd place in the championship. Fantastic! Round 5 & 6 will be another favourite of mine; Oulton Park Cheshire on June 12th. Though this time we will be racing on the International circuit normally reserved for the British Touring Car Championship.

For more information on the Super Mighty Minis Championship and the Number 41 Minispares backed car visit www.bcr-motorsport.com