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All four Mini classes combined for the latest double-header in Kent in early
May, on the ‘undercard’ to the GT World Challenge Europe series, with huge
grids and many drivers tackling the daunting 2.4332-mile GP ‘rollercoaster’
circuit for the very first time.

So, busy lap charts, and mirrors!

There was drama even before Sunday afternoon’s opener, as having claimed
pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session Jeff Smith then brought out red
flags with a heavy off into the barriers, putting his car out of action and himself
into hospital with broken ribs. Ouch!

Promoted Miglia ‘polesitter’ Ian Curley
made the early running before fellow Kent ‘local’ Aaron Smith came through
from the 5th row to be in front before a beached car at Paddock Bend then
brought out a safety car until the chequered flag was waved, with Kane Astin
completing the podium ahead of Phil Bullen-Brown after frontrunner Rupert
Deeth dropped to 7th. Julian Proctor secured Libre spoils ahead of Phil Harvey
as others ‘fell off’.

Starting several seconds later, the smaller capacity hordes were equally hectic,
Ross Billison eventually taking the Se7en win from Damien Harrington and
Spencer Wanstall after numerous position changes, just ahead of the furiously
dicing S-Class frontrunners, headed by Matthew Page from elder sibling
Jonathon, reigning titleist Matt Ayres and 2024’s top novice Ollie Birkett.

Less than three hours later the second race closed the weekend’s action with
Curley predicting a reversal in the Miglia finishing order. He was proved right
too, getting back in front after an early safety car ‘lull’ to remove another
gravel-bound machine and after 11 laps crossed the line in a fabulous four-car
blur of himself, Deeth, Astin and Smith, all covered by less than an incredible
0.143s… wowzer!

There was recompense too for Ian Fraser who made up for his
earlier spin to take a second Libre victory of the season, ahead of Proctor in 2nd
and Harvey 3rd.

Down among the Se7en and S-Class ranks, place changes were dizzying to keep
track of, but through it all Billison again manoeuvred himself to the front when
it mattered to head Harrington, Wanstall and Daniel Munro, with the unlucky
Glen Woodbridge off course for a second time having been in the mix too.

Ayres took his third S-Class victory of 2025 after late drama saw Jonathon Page
go off at Stirlings, brother Matthew thus taking the runner-up spot from Joel
Wren a little further back.

New lap records were set by Aaron Smith, Wanstall and Jonathon Page in
Miglia, Se7en and S-Class respectively.

Not long to wait for the next thrilling instalment, as on 7-8 June the Silverstone
GP circuit hosts rounds 5 and 6 in the Goodyear Mini Challenges supported by
Mini Spares. It’s all shaping up nicely for a cracking season!

RESULTS: Brands Hatch GP 3-4 May 2025
Round 3 (10 laps)
1st 0 A Smith (M)
2nd 5 I Curley (M)
3rd 11 K Astin (M)
14th 595 J Proctor (L)
16th 2 R Billison (7)
17th 29 D Harrington (7)
18th 73 S Wanstall (7)
19th 709 M Page (S)
21st 710 J Page (S)
22nd 701 M Ayres (S)
Round 4 (11 laps)
1st 5 I Curley (M)
2nd 23 R Deeth (M)
3rd 11 K Astin (M)
11th 127 I Fraser (L)
15th 2 R Billison (7)
16th 29 D Harrington (7)
17th 73 S Wanstall (7)
18th 701 M Ayres (S)
19th 709 M Page (S)
21st 741 J Wren (S)

Words: Rich Williamson

With the 2023 National titles decided two weeks ago at Silverstone, the Mini 7 Racing Club returns home to complete its seven-round Winter Series…

When the Mini Se7en race series first began at Brands Hatch in 1966, who would have imagined these iconic little machines would still be competing almost 60 years later, let alone still breaking lap records. Yet here we are, with racing development of these classic cars continuing at pace, and three new class lap records set earlier this season at the Brands Hatch Mini Festival.

Racing is frantic from lights to flag, with battles throughout the field to keep you enthralled over three 20-minute outings. Relatively low power outputs and a rather brick-like aerodynamics keeps the playing field level, so it’s unusual for any one driver to dominate the proceedings. Look out for the experienced drivers holding back in the top-five places until the very last lap, and a mad dash to the finish!

The Winter Series consists of seven rounds, with drivers able to drop their two lowest scores, and this weekend all four classes will be competing together on the same grid, so expect a lot of action!

Phil Bullen-Brown currently leads the standings in the fastest 1293cc Mini Miglia series, and will hope to keep up his momentum from a win last time out. Also look out for multiple Miglia champion Rupert Deeth, whose brand new (and rather stealthy) car is very much on the pace after a few rounds of development.

In the original 998cc Mini Se7en series, Joe Thompson currently leads the points, and will be keen to stay in front of provisional National Champion Mike Jordan to take a share of the top trophies. Ross Billison and Spencer Wanstall will be there at the sharp end too, on a weekend that traditionally throws in some surprise winners.

The entry-class Mini Se7en S-Class continues to provide bumper grids, with Matt Ayres holding a comfortable points advantage before drop scores, but provisional Champion Jonathon Page will no doubt be as quick as ever. If Frazer Hack and Michael Winkworth are having a good day, both will be contenders for a win.

We also have the Mini Libre series, an invitation class for more wild A-Series power units competing alongside the Mini Miglia grid. Craig Edgecombe not only won his class last time out, but overtook all the Mini Miglia cars too – twice! Let’s see who comes out on top at a tighter circuit that tends to favour cornering speed over all-out horsepower.

LAP RECORDS (2.356-mile circuit)

Miglia:             Aaron Smith                                    0:54.092            79.37 mph                        6 August 2023           

Libre:                        David Franks                        0:54.800            79.35 mph                        25 August 2018

Se7en:            Mike Jordan                                    0:58.247            74.65 mph                        6 August 2023

S-Class:            Matthew Page                        0:59.359            73.25 mph                        6 August 2023

The full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit played host to the opening rounds in the Mini racing calendar on 18-19 March, with packed grids on both days and action right throughout the field.

With points on offer for both the main National and Winter Challenges, a highly competitive 57-car entry turned out for this BRSCC-run meeting on the 3.6604-mile track.

In Saturday afternoon’s opener the watching audience – both trackside and via livestream – were treated to a pulsating 7-car Miglia battle for overall honours, with the final nod in the top 1.3-litre class going to Jeff Smith by a narrow margin from Nick Padmore, while Richard Colburn held off Peter Hills in the up-to-1400cc Libre category.

In the newly tweaked 1000cc Se7ens, it came down to a straight fight between Mike Jordan and Spencer Wanstall. The former triumphed although the latter established a new lap record, likewise Matt Ayres having enough in hand over Frazer Hack to secure S-Class spoils, 3rd-in-class Jonathan Page also lowering the 1275cc lap record.

Sunday morning was colder and damper which led to crucial tyre choices. Those opting for wets seeing their gamble pay off, both Andrew Jordan and Aaron Smith able to pull away in the early stages as their slick-shod rivals struggled for grip on a track that barely dried over the duration.

Their duel was maintained throughout to a grandstand finish and just 0.360s the difference, while Richard Colburn reeled off a Libre double victory well among the top Miglia runners.

Joe Thompson was able to stay with the lead Se7en battle this time around, and manoeuvered himself into a winning position on the last lap as Mike Jordan slithered wide and Spencer Wanstall was delayed by a spinner.

Not far behind this trio, an excellent drive by Matt Ayres not only secured a second S-Class victory but he also remained the only unlapped car in his category, Andy Hack and Jonathan Page completing the class podium.

Another noteworthy effort came from Glen Woodbridge whose Se7en had been damaged beyond repair by a circuit recovery truck in the first race, but who was able to finish 7th in class in the second race thanks to the selfless loan of dad Paul’s own car after agreement from his fellow club racers.

Mid-April sees the next stage in the Dunlop Mini Challenges supported by Mini Spares, with a visit to Donington Park in the East Midlands on 15-16 April.

Congratulations to our provisional 2022 champions! After a hard-fought 16-round season from March to October, for the majority of titles, it went down to the very last weekend at Silverstone.

Our championship finishers;

Mini Miglia

1st – Rupert Deeth, 246 points

2nd – Aaron Smith, 245 points

3rd – Andrew Jordan, 232 points

Mini Libre

1st – Richard Colburn, 102 points

2nd – Dan Lewis, 79 points

3rd – Les Stanton, 77 points

Mini Se7en

1st – Connor O’Brien, 260 points

2nd – Mike Jordan, 238 points

3rd – Joe Thompson, 222 points

Mini Se7en S-Class

1st – Damien Harrington, 243 points

2nd – Matt Ayes, 241 points

3rd – Frazer Hack, 232 points

Winter Series – Miglia

1st – Rupert Deeth, 97 points

2nd – Jeff Smith, 90 points

3rd – Colin Peacock, 82 points

Winter Series – Libre

1st – Dan Lewis, 35 points

2nd – Huw Turner, 35 points

3rd – Andy Sh0re, 24 points

Winter Series – Se7en

1st – Connor O’Brien, 101 points

2nd – Tina Cooper, 84 points

3rd – Jordan Sims, 81 points

Winter Series – Se7en S-Class

1st – Michael Winkworth, 104 points

2nd – Matt Ayres, 93 points

3rd – Frazer Hack, 90 points

Many provisional updates for you, as we’re delighted to announce our provisional series champions following the national season finale at Donington Park.

Congratulations to;

Andrew Jordan, 2021 Mini Miglia champion

Jeff Smith, 2021 Mini Se7en champion

Michael Winkworth, 2021 Mini Se7en S-Class champion

Peter Crewes, 2021 Mini Libre champion

In other news, we have a calendar loosely in place for 2022, and it’s going to be another fantastic season.

26-27 March, Silverstone International (Winter series)

23-24 April, Croft

21-22 May, Cadwell Park

11-12 June, Castle Combe

9-10 July, Donington Park

5-7 August, Brands Hatch

3-4 September, Anglesey

15-16 October, Silverstone International

5-6 November, Brands Hatch (Winter Series)

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