Due to the success of last years Euro Mini adventure, everyone here at Todd Crooks Motorsport decided that giving it a go for a second time wasn't in question; it simply had to happen - only this year, there was a twist; the Classic Mini's would be running alongside the British Championship in Maasmechelen and so I had two cars to drive.
The first weekend of the adventure was in Valkenswaard, Holland and at this event I drove the classic alone. The weekend started out well, despite being a little frosty due to being adjusted to driving the BMW. Heat 1 ended well, however heat 2 and 3 were not to go the same way with a couple of engine issues leaving us with two DNF's. The final was a different story, yet again, and I managed to catch hold of 3rd position and bring home this years second podium finish.
The week in Holland was as exciting as last year, with Thursday being the best day. Not only was this the birthday of Richard Wakeling, but it was karting day (which I should be good at giving my past experience!!). The first heat started well and after shaking the cobwebs away I settled in at a reasonable 7th before going into the second heat. This second heat saw me post quicker times and I ended up 6th with a place in the A Final where I managed to finish in a reasonable 4th place - not quite a podium finish here.
Next and final race of the adventure was in Maasmechelen - the track which caught me out on the joker last year (and again this year!!).
Practice on Saturday evening went well in both cars, despite needing to rush out of the classic and into the Cooper S in order to have a practice. The practice in the Cooper S was needed, and despite being almost completely alone out on track it gave me the chance I needed to gain a feel of the circuit in the car which drives completely differently to the classic.
Sunday morning started well; another free practice was had in both cars, along with timed practice in the Cooper S which determined my grid position for the first heat. This timed practice put me in 21st position.
The first heat in both went well, fetching back respectable positions - this didn't alter my grid position in the classic and this was pre-determined, however it did affect the grid position for heat two in the Cooper S and despite finishing 21st overall again, heat 2 saw me racing with mostly different cars. This was also repeated in heat 3, where I actually finished 20th overall in the Cooper S. Heat 3 in the Classic however, didn't go as well - apparently Duncan didn't have enough work to do and hence I repeated last years mistake and clipped the inside of the joker lap which broke the drive shaft, steering arm and steering rack end. This was repaired by the final however and I went on to gain another 3rd place - the third of the year. In the Super National plus category A, B and C finals were run however only the first 20 cars were included in this and hence I missed out marginally (finishing 22 overall for the day) - this did secure me 3rd place in the British Championship and left Stuart Emery and Gary Dixon to fight for the win. Stuart Emery took this win, followed by Gary Dixon, myself and Gary Simpson. My second podium finish in the Super National category this year.
I can't wait to continue in the British Championship and post more podium finishes.
The first weekend of the adventure was in Valkenswaard, Holland and at this event I drove the classic alone. The weekend started out well, despite being a little frosty due to being adjusted to driving the BMW. Heat 1 ended well, however heat 2 and 3 were not to go the same way with a couple of engine issues leaving us with two DNF's. The final was a different story, yet again, and I managed to catch hold of 3rd position and bring home this years second podium finish.
The week in Holland was as exciting as last year, with Thursday being the best day. Not only was this the birthday of Richard Wakeling, but it was karting day (which I should be good at giving my past experience!!). The first heat started well and after shaking the cobwebs away I settled in at a reasonable 7th before going into the second heat. This second heat saw me post quicker times and I ended up 6th with a place in the A Final where I managed to finish in a reasonable 4th place - not quite a podium finish here.
Next and final race of the adventure was in Maasmechelen - the track which caught me out on the joker last year (and again this year!!).
Practice on Saturday evening went well in both cars, despite needing to rush out of the classic and into the Cooper S in order to have a practice. The practice in the Cooper S was needed, and despite being almost completely alone out on track it gave me the chance I needed to gain a feel of the circuit in the car which drives completely differently to the classic.
Sunday morning started well; another free practice was had in both cars, along with timed practice in the Cooper S which determined my grid position for the first heat. This timed practice put me in 21st position.
The first heat in both went well, fetching back respectable positions - this didn't alter my grid position in the classic and this was pre-determined, however it did affect the grid position for heat two in the Cooper S and despite finishing 21st overall again, heat 2 saw me racing with mostly different cars. This was also repeated in heat 3, where I actually finished 20th overall in the Cooper S. Heat 3 in the Classic however, didn't go as well - apparently Duncan didn't have enough work to do and hence I repeated last years mistake and clipped the inside of the joker lap which broke the drive shaft, steering arm and steering rack end. This was repaired by the final however and I went on to gain another 3rd place - the third of the year. In the Super National plus category A, B and C finals were run however only the first 20 cars were included in this and hence I missed out marginally (finishing 22 overall for the day) - this did secure me 3rd place in the British Championship and left Stuart Emery and Gary Dixon to fight for the win. Stuart Emery took this win, followed by Gary Dixon, myself and Gary Simpson. My second podium finish in the Super National category this year.
I can't wait to continue in the British Championship and post more podium finishes.
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