On Sunday 16th May a large number of 22 Minis and 1 Lotus turned up at Hampton Downs for a fine afternoon run on the club circuit.

The weather during the week leading up to the afternoon hadn't been quite so ordinary, but, on the day, the sun came out and it was quite warm.

Entrants had been split into groups prior;
Beginners/Slower drivers
Advanced
Race cars
As the afternoon progressed the 3 groups merged into 1 group for an open track session.

Standouts from the afternoon had to be Trent Dixon in his VTEC Mini and Ray West in Monte, with no cars breaking in the process (our last track day saw cracked rims and a lack of oil) and all able to be driven home.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself (2nd time on a track - I think the track bug now may have bitten me!!) which seems to be the general feedback received, although I've now discovered a few more (than normal) oil leaks that will need some attention.

Thanks to Steve for his organisation of the afternoon, and also to Alison West, Lesley Robinson and Graham Wing for volunteering to man the light tower and pit exit.

Bring on the next track day!!

-Darren Clark

More praise for the Track Day from Facebook:  

Matt Hanna: Had the Mini club track day at Hampton downs today. Such a good day. Got a couple of things to correct on the beast and she should be good to go. No major hitches today. 
So much fun.

Carissa Thaver: So much fun! I definitely caught the bug!!! Time to prep for classic Trials.

Gary Ashton: A good day at the track. A big thanks to the people that organised and helped run the day. Without people like you the rest of us would not have been able to have fun.

​Pics: Shane Neal, Gary Ashton, Sean Brennan, Matt Hanna

An interesting and eclectic club night with a variety of Minis on show: Richard Atkins immaculate 2000 and its almost-twin Kevin Taylor's 1999 Sport 5, Ray's 33EJB Paddy Hopkirk replica, and the future of MINI: the Cooper SE Electric.