Cult Classics
IT WAS ANOTHER FANTASTIC WEEKEND of Mini racing at the Castle Combe Autumn Classic meeting on 12-13 September, the penultimate rounds in the M7RC’s Goodyear Challenge supported by Mini Spares…
Despite an early red flag in Saturday’s Mini Se7en opener, Daniel Munro maintained his championship lead with victory ahead of reigning champion Damien Harrington, title rivals Ross Billison and Spencer Wanstall joined by Darren Thomas in the leading chase.
In S-Class, Patrick McCarthy further boosted his points tally with 2nd behind Michael Winkworth after Bertie Woollard and George Welch went off. Novice Jake Howells was well placed to take the final podium position.
Sunday’s damp track proved no hindrance to Munro who positively revelled in the slippery conditions on his way to double Se7en success, Thomas and Harrington getting closest after the restart for a car off into the tyrewall.
Meanwhile, an overnight rebuild saw Woollard’s rolled S-Class back on track, the Kent driver repaying the magnificent team effort for a narrow class victory from James May, with McCarthy picking up more useful points in 3rd ahead of Winkworth.
There was drama aplenty in the Miglia encounters, Kane Astin initially taking the ‘win’ on Saturday after multiple changes of leader, before a jump-start penalty later dropped him down the order, promoting Aaron Smith into top spot from Jeff Smith, Matt Ayres and Sam Summerhayes.
Intermittent drizzle did little to dampen the red-hot action in Sunday’s runout, yet more place swapping eventually seeing Jeff Smith nose in front to the chequered flag from Ayres and Astin, the top three further rewarded with the Rick Cutting Memorial Trophies and prize fund in honour of the former Miglia race winner. Martin Wager led the rest from Ian Curley, the latter storming up from the back of the grid, whilst despite finishing way down the order after a spectacular grassy excursion, Aaron Smith received the Spirit of Riccardo award for a ‘determined’, ‘enthusiastic’ and ‘entertaining’ effort that exemplified the late Cutting’s racing style.
In the Libres, Richard Colburn edged out Jabez Dyer and Peter Hills on Saturday, with Huw Turner taking the spoils the following day ahead of Colburn and Julian Proctor.
The Goodyear Mini Challenge supported by Mini Spares now heads to Silverstone on 10-11 October for the triple-header finale, with all four championships in the balance and drop scores coming into play. It’s going to be awesome!
Castle Combe 13-13 September 2026 Results
Se7en & S-Class - Round 12
| Position | Number | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41 | D Munro |
| 2 | 29 | D Harrington |
| 3 | 0 | R Billison |
| 8 | 796 | M Winkworth (S) |
Se7en & S-Class - Round 13
| Position | Number | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41 | D Munro |
| 2 | 20 | D Thomas |
| 3 | 1 | D Harrington |
| 5 | 736 | B Woollard (S) |
Miglia & Libre - Round 12
| Position | Number | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | A Smith |
| 2 | 46 | J Smith |
| 3 | 58 | M Ayres |
| 14 | 219 | R Colburn (L) |
Miglia & Libre - Round 13
| Position | Number | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 | J Smith |
| 2 | 58 | M Ayres |
| 3 | 11 | K Astin |
| 13 | 123 | H Turner (L) |
