MINI CHALLENGE 16 Snetterton 300

It might seem a bit late in the year to be deciding championships, but to pack so many rounds and festivals into British summertime was never going to be easy. We have provisionally been given the same dates in 2017.

 

- David Young

Saturday morning, and an early mist gave way to a very pleasant and sunny morning. By lunch time it was decidedly warm.

Cooper, Cooper S and Open 180

The Cooper Class Championship had already been decided in favour of the all conquering Max Bladon at Cadwell Park on 3rd September. Max was also celebrating a win in the Sunoco 200 Challenge as well as a seat in the 200-mile USA endurance race in a Chevrolet Camaro – a few more horses than a MINI Cooper! Qualifying had Max on pole, followed by Sam Weller and Martin Poole. The track was a bit damp and some of the cars had trouble getting the tyres to stick to the track.

In the Cooper S class, Scott Jeffs stormed away with pole from Carlito Miracco in their R56s. To be fair Carlito was driving his socks off, but lack of boost was his downfall. When the lights went green Carlito stormed off and had built a very comfortable lead until his turbo said “Enough!”. Scott Jeffs reeled him in, followed by Tim Porter and Rob Austin. Scott took the chequered flag by four seconds from Tim, with Rob Austin completing the podium.

The Open 180 class had Keith Issatt, Aaron Reeve and Richard Mills at the front of a nice full grid, with 28 cars making the start of the opening race. The class was won by Jonathan Davis, who was also 4th overall after a very impressive drive.