Castle Combe Race Report

With what seemed to be the blink of an eye, the Super Mighty Minis Championship found itself at the last 2 races of the season at Castle Combe. On the back of 2 podiums at Thruxton, Alex Comis in the Mini Spares car was still in the hunt with a mathematical chance of the championship.

The weather report was “mostly dry with sunny spells” but for qualifying, at least, it was decidedly moist. A few drivers seemed to be finding it tricky keeping their cars pointing in the right direction and on the black stuff, but Comis looked planted. As the session went on, the conditions improved and on his penultimate lap, Comis put in a time good enough for the 3rd row.

“I was a bit surprised at the grip I was finding out there” Comis explained. “The car just seemed so controllable and balanced but each lap was different as the conditions changed. 5th is ok, but there’s only half-a-second between me and pole. The race should be good.”

As the race approached, the weather improved to the point there were flashes of sun. With the cars lined up, the race was soon under way. Comis didn’t get his usual getaway but this was to be the least of his worries: Contact to the left rear pitched Comis’ car left causing further contact before Comis and another car found themselves ejected on to the grass of the infield. Fighting the car, Comis briefly made it back on track but had to retire the car with broken steering.

“I’m utterly gutted; I needed solid points from this race and now I’m under real pressure to hold on to second in the championship. We just need to get the car out for race 2 and see what we can do”.

Some hurried repairs to replace a failed steering arm, damaged wheel and bodywork and Comis was able to take up his position on the grid in last place. Again the lights signalled the start though this time, no contact! Though the initial phase of Comis’ launch didn’t gain him any places, he soon seemed to have momentum up to Avon Rise and Quarry. By this point, he’d taken 2 places. With the inside line in to the Esses, another 3 place. On the run down Tower, another place under braking. By the end of lap 1, Comis found himself in a remarkable 3rd place and was now drawing in Steve Dawson in 2nd and Nev Kirkpatrick in the lead. By the 4th lap, Dawson was leading and Comis was up to second with it looking like a three way battle to the flag. By mid-distance, Comis capitalised on an error by Dawson to take the lead, from last place! This was short lived, however, as Dawson capitalised on the tow down the long straight to retake the lead. With back-markers now in sight, it was important to get around them without losing any time. As Dawson got past one back-marker, Comis followed in to the super-fast Camp corner when contact was made between Comis and the back-marker. Comis held the massive sideways moment but the back-marker got in to an oscillation before making heavy contact with the tyre wall. This brought the red flag out and the result was declared from the previous lap when Comis was leading.

“Yeah that was a bit too eventful and not really how you want to win a race. I’m just glad all involved are ok. That’s the important thing. Up to the red flag, things were looking really good to take the lead again. It’s been quite a roller-coaster of a weekend but coming from last to winning a race as to be my best performance. It’s great to end the season with a win and secure 2nd place in one of the most competitive championships in the UK.”

Be sure to join us next season which is already looking to be an amazing one with Comis looking to do one better!

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