Snetterton, Norfolk, was the setting for the start of rounds 7 & 8 of the Super Mighty Minis Championship as it entered the second half of the season

After a solid performance at the Mini Festival at Brands Hatch, Alex Comis, in the Mini Spares car was looking to build on this for the remaining rounds.

Qualifying for the first race of the weekend was not without incident and 12 minutes in to the session, a stranded car brought the red flags out and the end of qualifying.

Comis was unfazed by this and reasonably pleased with his 7th place:

“This was the first time I’ve driven the new 300 circuit. It was quite challenging to learn it and get a quick lap in. The red flag wasn’t ideal when every lap counts. 7th, all things considered, isn’t too bad. All being well I should be able to build on this.

The July heat wave was evident with serine mirages forming across the track, though this was not to last as the cars lined up for the start of the first race of the weekend. Comis made his usual flying start and elected to take the tighter inside line in to the first corner. Things were looking good as they approached the hairpin until ambitious lunges either side of Comis ended in contact as with Comis pinned in the middle. With damage visible to the front of Comis’ car, he continued to mount his attack. Exiting the famous bomb hole, Comis was sizing up the pack in front until the damage started to interfere with the steering as Comis battled to maintain control thought the super-fast 4th gear Coram corner. This would be the end of the race for Alex as he entered the pits to retire the car:

“That was far from ideal” explained Comis back in the paddock:

“Coming up to the hairpin, I was right on the bumper of the car in front and all I could see in both mirrors were two cars diving either side, both of which closed on me causing a bit of a pin-ball moment. It was only the bumper that ended up dragging on the ground, but when it got caught under the wheel, I thought I was about to have a catastrophic suspension failure. Without knowing, it just wasn’t worth the risk to continue. Gutted”

Sunday saw the clouds roll in, but this soon burnt off for the afternoon. Morning qualy saw Comis put the car 8th on the grid.

With the race starting in glorious sunshine, it was going to be tough on the drivers in their hot tin-cans. Comis again made a flying start and this time avoided contact. As the race unfolded, Comis got in to a rhythm and was soon hauling in 3rd and 4th places, however, David Kirkpatrick was also in the mix. With 3rd to 6th changing every corner, it was anyone’s as the race drew to a close. Comis was now in the thick of it with previous Championship winners, Pat Ford and Bob Bennetts. Last lap and Comis was up to 4th but in the space of 2 corners, was back to 6th. Through the Bomb hole for the last time, all 4 cars were within a second of each other as they approached to final corner for the dash to the flag. Comis took a wide line in and cannoned out on with more momentum. With the sprint to the line, Comis made it past Kirkpatric, but just didn’t have enough of a run to catch 3rd or 4th. What a finish!

Back in the paddock, Comis was please with the result:

“What a weekend! Considering the lack of time I’ve had on this track, 5th isn’t at all bad. Just one more lap and it could have been a podium. That last lap was something else, fantastic driving by these guys!”

Rounds 9 & 10 of the Super Mighty Minis Championship will be at Oulton Park on the 30th August.