The build up to the start of the 2006 Mini Miglia season had seen plenty of late night activity in the workshop, but everything looked extremely promising as we loaded up and left for Snetterton on Friday evening.

Installed in the engine bay was an all new 'works' Richard Longman & Co motor. This was generously provided by long-time sponsor Sanwa Trading, and the dyno testing had lead a new phase of development. The chassis was in similar spec to 2005, although there were new Mini Spares competition driveshafts, CV joints, wheel bearings, balljoints etc. Andy Packham and I had completed a suspension set up, and it had been one the those evenings when we hit the sweet spot! The generosity of friend, racer and sponsor Al Daly, proprietor of Skevington Builders' Merchants, meant we would have new tyres for the weekend too, so I could see no reason not to clean up!

Will I ever learn! Starting our 23rd season of racing the first kick in the gonads was but around the corner! The fifteen minute Saturday morning test went well but on return to the paddock it emerged that the ring gear had become loose on the flywheel. Andy and I changed the engine in readiness for qualifying, while reserving judgement on what to do for the race.

'Old faithful' served us well and I qualified 3rd fastest, 4/10ths off and confident I was well prepared to race as I pulled up as directed in Parc Ferme. With the engine idling, it stopped abruptly. Didn't sound right and would re-start... reason? Broken cam belt!

Andy and I changed the engine, again. It was now past dark and thanks are due to Ralph Saunders of Pitstop for the use of his awning and lighting. The racy new engine was going back in with the flywheel for the broken spare. We finished in the small hours, long after the Snetterton bar had emptied and everyone had retired for the night!

As I sat on the grid the optimism of Friday evening was back. This engine wanted for nothing, and I'd always known the driver was a genius! Away in grid order my optimism lasted for less than a lap. It was clear that we wouldn't be able to challenge the leaders and my priority switched to defence of 3rd. And third was what I eventually got. Not the result I'd hoped for but one that would do in the circumstances. We will unlock the missing performance before the next round at Brands in four weeks time.