Deeth's Double

We catch up with reigning Mini Miglia champion Rupert Deeth and Mini Libre champion Peter Crewes ahead of the 2018 season, which promises to be one of the best yet...

- Stephen Colbran

The main story from the Mini 7 Racing Club’s 2016 Mini Miglia Challenge was the absolute domination by a young driver named Shayne Deegan, piloting seven-time champion Peter Baldwin’s car to yet another title. Whilst the 998cc Mini Se7en Cass was booming in numbers, however, the Miglia grid was at times a little sparse. To remedy the situation, a batch of new updates were made ahead of 2017 - removal of complex front anti-rollbars and balljoint spacers, a new mandatory Quaife ATB differential and standardised Ohlins dampers for all. There would also be a new free-formula series named ‘Mini Libre’ to run alongside, to boost the grids.

And it seemed to work; with a more level playing field and a handful of fresh faces on the grid, the Miglias enjoyed a memorable 2017. Having been forced to settle for two second places in a row, 2014 champion Rupert Deeth was more determined than ever to reclaim the title, which he achieved in style with 216 points from a maximum of 220. With backing from series sponsor Mini Spares he took eight wins, four lap records and a further four podiums, fending off strong drives from Kane Astin, Aaron Smith and Dave Drew. It couldn’t have gone much better for the experienced Cambridgeshire-based Miglia racer.