Snetterton Opener

Despite several interruptions there was still plenty of terrific action in the opening Mini 7 Racing Club meeting of the season from a sunny Norfolk.

Safety cars and red flags sadly cut into the racing laps over the 5-6 April weekend meeting at Snetterton, but Mini racing fans were still treated to the usual hectic dash-to-the-line outcomes.

In the Miglia encounters, twice former champion Rupert Deeth came through to take overall victory in both races, being in the right place at the right time when Saturday’s opener was halted after Jo Polley shunted heavily out of Riches corner, then coming through again on Sunday to pip Ian Curley for a second time. Reigning champion Jeff Smith and namesake Aaron traded a 3rd place apiece, with Kane Astin the best of the rest. Ian Fraser and Peter Hills each took a Libre class win.

The first Se7en runout saw Damien Harrington convert pole position to a narrow win from title holder Joe Thompson and Spencer Wanstall, with Ross Billison’s equally close Sunday triumph atoning for his early exit on Saturday, Wanstall and Thompson reversing their previous day’s finishing order. In the S-Class, 2024 champion Matt Ayres continued where he left off last season to twice head home a strong ‘scholarship’ entry, setting a new lap record too. Ollie Birkett, Jonathon Page, Joel Wren and Michael Winkworth were his closest challengers.

Next up is the full Brands Hatch GP circuit on the 3-4 May, rounds 3 & 4 in the Goodyear Mini Challenges supported by Mini Spares.