Kelly Rogers Racing
Bank Holiday Monday morning, the team all assembled at the awning at 8am for the final preparations before qualifying began at 9.50 am. The weather was perfect, with the forecast for rain in the afternoon looking impossible with such clear blue sky's.
Qualifying started at 9.53 am, with the new Swiftune engine fitted, all the signs were looking good for a high grid position. The first two laps were taken at 3/4 pace just to familiarise himself with the fast sweeping off camber corners of this very fast and demanding circuit. With only a 15 minute qualifying session all laps were important to get everything into perspective and find the quickest way round. Pushing all the way with a slight under steer front end drift in a couple of the fast corners, Kelly was determined to prove a point. Lap 12 of the session saw Kelly pull 2 tenths out of the bag to clinch pole position with a time of 1:18.284, an average lap speed of 85.07 mph. The pole position was no surprise to the team as all the signs from very early in the session saw a very powerful combination with Kelly and the car.
With the race not until 14.15 there was time for some general car maintenance and a spot of relaxing in the sun. The mood within the team was high with great expectations for the race.
All the cars made their way to the assembly area at 14.00 for the start of round 2 of the Miglia Championship. Everyone made their way onto the grid for the green flag lap, all fired up for the race. Kelly was in good spirits with the concentration and determination fully visible in his face as they lined up on the grid ready for the red lights to go out. As the red lights went on the engine revs grew louder and then the lights went out and they were off. Kelly, Baldwin and Sollis left the line 3 abreast all battling to get into Quarry first, Kelly held his line and was able to keep the top spot into the first corner. The scene was now set for the three top runners in the Mini Miglia Championship to battle it out in their normal fast and furious way. Lap 1 completed with Kelly still leading then Baldwin, Hack and Sollis in 4th nose to tail. Lap 2 saw Baldwin pull past Kelly and a slight break away from the top two was now starting to show, Kelly just sat on the rear bumper of Baldwin following him round waiting for the passing opportunity. This came on lap 5 as Kelly powered passed only to see his temperature light flashing on his dash. Rather than destroy the engine and carry on, Kelly pulled off line and parked the car on the grass verge just after the start/finish straight. The race carried on with Baldwin, Sollis and Hack with a coming together between Sollis and Hack letting Baldwin take an easy victory with Hack 2nd , Sollis 3rd.
After the race with the car towed back to the awning, a minor problem with the water system was discovered which led to an overheating problem. With it now fixed, roll on Snetterton!! We now know we have the speed and the car to push hard and upset the apple cart for the rest of the season.
Round 2
Castle Combe
