Rockingham! Mighty Mighty Mighty Mighty Minis - 1st/2nd September

[Chris Y]

Well folks, it's that time again..

Mighty Minis are in action again, and this time it's our turn to try out Rockingham for size.. Should be fun for me since I've never been to the place and I'm not testing there..

Sadly, in a pretty packed weekend, we have managed to get the unfortunate very first race on the Saturday slot, and this will mean that many of you won't be able to make it

We're qualifying at 9am on the Saturday, and racing at 12:45..
The full timetable looks like this:

Saturday Qualifying:
9.00 - Mighty Mins
9:25 - Sports 2000 session 1
9:55 - Radical Enduro (YAWN!. Head for the beer tent)
10:35 - Monoposto 1200,1600,1800s
11:00 - Super Mighty Mins
11:25 - Monoposto 2000s
11:50 - Sports 2000 session 2
17:00 - Radical Bi-Duro qualifying

Saturday Racing:
12:45 - Mighty Minis (10 laps)
13:20 - Monoposto 1200,1600,1800s (10 laps)
13:55 - Super Mighty Minis (10 laps)
14:30 - Monoposto 2000s (10 laps)
15:05 - Radical Enduro (MAJOR YAWN - 1hr)
16:20 - Sports 2k race 1 (25 mins)

Sunday qualifying:
10:00 - Super Coupe (classes RV,HN,PR,CB)
10:25 - Legends!
10:50 - Super Coupe (classes RT,VV)

Sunday Racing:
11:15 - Monoposto 1200,1600,1800 race 2 (10 laps)
11:50 - Legends heat 1 (4 laps)
12:10 - Radical Bi-Duro (30 minutes)
13:30 - Legends heat 2 (4 laps)
13:50 - Super Coupe classes RV,HN,PR,CB (15 minutes)
14:25 - Sports 2k race 2 (30 minutes)
15:10 - Monoposto 2000 race 2 (10 laps)
15:45 - Legends final (6 laps)
16:05 - Super Coupe classes RT,VV (10 laps)

[Lorna]

I'll be home in time for tea!

I'll see if I can get my hands on some complimentary tickets.

[Lorna]

If anyone is interested in going and would like to save some pennies, let me know by pm or email and I will try and get some complimentary tickets from work.

[Craig]

I'll be there Might make a quick exit after the Monoposto race though...!

Anyone likely to be stopping in the area on Friday or Saturday evening ? I've not decided what i'm doing yet as I have a fair bit of work to do here as well But will definately be there for the Mins (as always!)

[Lorna]

I've got your name down Craig. Must stress to everyone that I am trying to get tickets. I may not be successful but will try my best.

[Carrie]

After failing to get to Rockingham today, I suppose I should try to get along for this one. I may or may not be contactable by phone by then, mine decided to die the death on me this morning.

[redshoes]

I wouldn't worry about not getting to Rockingham today Carrie, you didn't miss much. That had to have been the most boring race meeting I've ever been to. Even the 'oh no someone in the turn one grandstand has sneezed so we had better bring the pace car out to clear up the "debris" and bunch up the field' tactic didn't do much to redeem the dullest of dull races. If this is the ASCAR "spectacle" I think I'll pass next time.

[Carrie]

That good eh Nigel Sorry I didn't make it, there was no way I would have been even half awake to drive down there this morning.

[John Batchelor]

I'm going to try and get down there to start a new fan club, the "chrisysi" , just to say thanks for all the support this year! (any chance I can assist on the team Chris?)

[Minardi fan]

Unfortunately I shall miss those crazy Mini antics this weekend...

































BECAUSE I'M OFF TO SPA!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bella]

i'll be in manchester, sadly alison! why do you have to move to your new house while the minis are on?!

[Lola]

Im racing there this week end too. Car 7 in the Monoposto 1600cc class. ( Lola T642E).
I will be there from Friday morning as a test has been booked so if any one would like to help out this weekend you are welcome.
Didnt the F3 cars take the first chicane at 120mph?
Dont think i will try that yet. Wait till some one else does it first.

[Chris Y]

Minardi bloke - why are you going to Spa? Do they have Minis there too?

John - we'd love to see you there! Anything you feel you could assist me with (such as a Honda engine in the back ) - feel free, or you could just watch

Nigel,Carrie - never mind ASCAR, Minis are almost guaranteed to entertain. I reckon we'll be 10 abreast on the start/finish straight

Lorny/Craig - excellent!

Lola - good luck for testing. I can't afford it/get the day off work, so let me know how it goes, and we'll meet up sometime on Saturday..

I think we're going to arrive late on Friday night and camp in the paddock somehow (camper van). Other than that, I don't have any plans yet

[Chris Y]

PS - John.. You could always get some "ARSE" stickers done, and stick them on my car

[Lorna]

Nice one John! That saves me having to pester you to go as a certain someone asked me to do

Complimentary tickets are out of the window guys. Sorry! I tried

I second Redshoes' comments. It was not the most exciting race I've ever been to. I topped up my tan though (I'm one shade darker than pale now). Very hot day and were sat quite a few feet nearer the sun way up on those tall grandstands. As for the circuit itself. Spectacular! Can't wait til Saturday, Chris. I will, however, be laidened with hangover (no change there I hear you say ) I forgot I had agreed to a night out with workmates on Friday night, oh, and Thursday night (eek!)

[Craig]

Bugger! I'd have liked to have popped up on Friday evening for the traditional track walk, but i'll guess i'll see you Saturday morning then Chris

A word of advice though... stick with the Mini engine - don't trust those Honda things!

[John Batchelor]

Chris, only take the Honda Engine option if your nerve has gone and you want to be able to drive the car flat out without actually doing more than 10 mph!! Yes I'm still cross with the damn thing!!

[Lorna]

Was it THAT fast John?

Can't wait to see the minis again, Chris. It's been too long

Maisie, will Steg, Bronty and Rex be there? I'll look after them for the day!

[woodyracing]

bah I wanted to go to this, but its too close to when im moving house, so I'll be busy at home on the weekend.

see you at Donington (hopefully)

[THR]

We are there too.
our second outing at Rockingham.

cant wait.
Car 24 2000 Monopostos. (probs towards the back of the grid) in a white and green FRenault (proper racing car, not a tintop)

we get two races, we are so special. hehe.

sundays race is late, so that means, ****up on sat night!! bbq to apparently. mono boys organising it.

car is all back in one peice.

and only a 5hr drive to get there...

you really wanna walk round it? we did it twice, once on sat morn, and sat night, twas knackered afterwards! its a long long way. 2.8miles??

C ya there.

Paul

[Craig]

Sorry Chris... looks like i'll not be there now

[Lorna]

I am still going. Chris/Maisie - will give you a buzz when I get there as I won't be online after this evening til after the event.

[John Batchelor]

Sadly Chris.......I'm still coming!!!! Look forward to seeing you.

[Craig]

Okay folks - what do you want first ? the good news or the bad news ?

Well... i'm going to be in attendance again! Woohoo!

You can take that as good news or bad news depending on who you are...

[redshoes]

Ah... MINIS
Chris, Maisie, Craig and Lorna have either cleared the bar or just settling down in the Travelodge about now.

A couple of cracking Mini races. The Mightys got a bit spread out on the long Rockingahm track but still great fun to watch. Chris made a brilliant move on the first lap to avoid a spinner at the hairpin and promptly overtook FIVE cars in one go. Unfortunetly he had fuel problems which meant he dropped to the back and struggled to keep going but at least he finished which means another signature and another step closer to his BTCC debut (watch this space).

John spent most of the day walking around the paddock like a little boy lost. Poor lad didn't know what to do with himself. Was half expecting him to jump behind the wheel given the opportunity.