Pint-sized perfection
THEY’RE BACK! THOSE POCKET ROCKET MINIS WITH THEIR DAZZLING COLOURS AND EVEN MORE DAZZLING PERFORMANCE. FOUR RACES FOR THESE ENERGETIC BUZZBOMBS SHOULD OFFER ACTION APLENTY, JUST LIKE THEY’VE BEEN DOING FOR OVER SIX DECADES. ENJOY!
Heading into its 60th Anniversary season, the Mini 7 Racing Club comes to Donington boasting a stellar line-up, with a quartet of ultra-competitive formulae eager to show off the extraordinary tuning range of the small but perfectly-formed motoring icon.
Miglia & Lib
Perhaps the ultimate in tarmac-torching racers are the Mini Miglias, mega-tuned 1293cc, slick-shod compact saloons that regularly dice with barely a ‘fag paper’ between them. Last season’s four-way title chase went down to the wire, and that trend is set to continue with a host of previous champions back once more, led by 2025 ‘top dog’ Rupert Deeth. Add in Ian Curley, Aaron Smith, Kane Astin and Jeff Smith, not to mention title winners stepping up from the other classes such as Joe Thompson, Damien Harrington and Matt Ayres, then it is sure to be as ultra-competitive as ever.
In the ‘free-formula’ Libre category which starts behind the Miglias on the grid, 2025 titleist Phil Harvey has raced Minis for well over four decades but will have the likes of Peter Hills, Richard Colburn and Julian Proctor all looking to claim the winners’ spoils this time around.
Se7en & S-Class
Though power outputs and tyre widths are less extreme in the full-tune 998cc Mini Se7en category, expect the same frenzied track tactics, as these ‘heritage’ racers demonstrate why they have been a crowd favourite since 1966. Skipping and dancing their way merrily around the circuit, their star-pattern ‘treaded’ rubber offering just enough grip as they fling themselves, tail-out through corners, don’t be surprised to see a winner only emerge from the pack on the run to the chequered flag. Damien Harrington claimed the top prize in 2025 and is back to defend his crown - as well as double-driving in Miglias - but will have the likes of Ross Billison and Spencer Wanstall once again leading the chase for the coveted Bob Fox Trophy, named in honour of the original 1966 champion.
Joining the Se7ens on the same grid are the milder-tuned 1275cc S-Class ranks, this ‘scholarship’ category aimed at beginners and more limited budgets. Several leading lights from last season have moved on, so it will be interesting to see who comes to the fore, but look out for the likes of Bertie Woollard, James May and Patrick McCarthy who have all claimed podium places before.
LAP RECORDS (2.4873-mile GP circuit)
| Class | Driver | Time | Mph | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miglia | Ben Colburn | 1:48.926 | 82.20 mph | 30 March 2024 |
| Libre | Peter Crewes | 1:51.094 | 80.60 mph | 4 June 2017 |
| Se7en | Andrew Jordan | 1:56.8875 | 76.61 mph | 30 March 2024 |
| S-Class | Michael Winkworth | 2:01.139 | 73.91 mph | 29 March 2024 |
| S-Class | Matt Ayress | 2:01.139 | 73.91 mph | 30 March 2024 |
MIGLIA INFO:
The Se7ens’ younger but more powerful Mini Miglia siblings first graced UK circuits in 1969/70, and have consistently been providing bang-for-buck tin-top action for decades, all trying to win The Peter Collins Trophy. Widely regarded by racing aficionados as ‘mini’ Touring Cars, these originally 998cc machines now run with larger capacity 1.3-litre engines, and pack a mean punch.
LIBRE INFO:
On the back of the Miglia grids, the M7RC runs its Mini Libre semi-invitational category for other Mini race saloons, with varying interpretations of A-Series tuning up to 1400cc.
SE7EN INFO:
For over half a century, the Mini Se7en Challenge for The Bob Fox Trophy has been providing great motor racing at an affordable price. Much may have changed since the first ever 850cc Formula Mini-7 race at Brands in April 1966, but the now 1-litre Mini Se7ens still provide superb entertainment for driver and spectator alike, drifting through corners with balletic poise!
S-CLASS INFO:
Starting behind the Se7ens, the milder-tuned 1275cc S-Class offers a more standard, budget introduction, where hopefuls looking to get on the motor racing ladder can also aim for the Graham Hill Memorial Trophy for the leading Under-17 driver.
The Se7ens’ younger but more powerful Mini Miglia siblings first graced UK circuits in 1969/70, and have consistently been providing bang-for-buck tin-top action for decades, all trying to win The Peter Collins Trophy. Widely regarded by racing aficionados as ‘mini’ Touring Cars, these originally 998cc machines now run with larger capacity 1.3-litre engines, and pack a mean punch.