2006
Kelly Rogers Racing
Rounds 10 and 11 Rockingham 7/8th October
With two days of racing Rockingham was a very enjoyable but full on weekend, Saturday morning a 30 minute test session allowed us to see the alterations to the track layout for the first time at full race speeds. Last year the chicane just after the start finish line was hairy from a drivers point of view but for this year that was taken away and a slower twisty section was placed onto the track as you would be exiting turn 4 on the oval circuit. The 30 minute session was useful for setting the car up, but as always you couldn't have a perfect set up for all sections of the track and Kelly was no exception.
Qualifying got under way at 11.15 am, the weather was good with a slight wind, the 15 minute session would see Kelly put his car 2nd on the grid for the first race of the weekend. With the race scheduled for 4.50 pm it was time to check over the car, have some lunch and relax watching the mini 7 race.
Race 1 of the weekend and Kelly climbed into his car waiting to be called to the assembly area, time to get comfortable and focus on the job in-hand. The cars were called and sent out onto the track to do there green flag lap. This 20 minute race would be hard on the cars and drivers, with the sun starting to set over the grandstands the lights went on for the start of the race. As the lights go out, all 19 cars rush down to turn one accelerating up to over a 100 mph just before braking hard for the left hander. Kelly didn't get a good start and was fourth going into the first corner, as the cars all settled down and sorted themselves out the front bunch started to pull away. Lap one and James Hall had made a break early with Sims trying to hang on, Kelly got stuck behind Sollis who is a master of making himself 14 ft wide when you need to try and get passed. Lap 2 and Sims was pushing Hall hard, once taking the lead and slightly slowing the pace so the battle of Sollis and Rogers moved slowly up to the two leaders. Kelly was battling hard trying to find away round Sollis but was losing drive out of the last corner leading onto the start/finish straight so his advantage of gaining places had disappeared. Crossing the line to take his first true victory was James Hall with Sims 2nd, Sollis 3rd and Kelly 4th.
Saturday night was party night celebrating the 40th year of the Mini 7 racing club, with 2 live bands, barrels of beer and a superb Hog Roast. All this was set up by Ralf Saunders who we would like to thank for this fantastic event, with racing not starting to after the lunch break on Sunday people were able to let there hair down and have a good old boogie.
Sunday morning and everyone was up early, with the car all prepared ready for the race this afternoon it was time to sort out the trucks and motor homes ready for the journey home once the race had finished. The race was just after the lunch break so feet were tapping waiting for the time to pass.
1 pm and all the cars were called up to the assembly area for the start of the race. Kelly had made a few minor adjustments to try and gain an advantage but until the race know one would know if they the right decisions. Once again the cars all speed off into the distance after the start lights had been turned off, Kelly had got a better start and was 2nd into the first corner. The pack behind were very aggressive as going into turn 2, cars were spinning off and creating mayhem. Kelly was pushing hard but Sollis had pushed his way passed trying to catch the leader, Kelly was on his boot lid trying to reverse the last races positions. All of a sudden on lap 4 Sollis goes sideways and Kelly following so close has to try and avoid him. Kelly's car kissed the back of Sollis breaking the headlamp and indicator letting Owen tag onto there tails. Kelly was able to squeeze past Sollis, there seemed nothing wrong with Sollis's car but he had dropped back to make extra sure. Kelly had to defend his 3rd position from now Owen and the regenerated Sollis, putting the drive down at the first corner was still a major issue for Kelly but pushed as hard as he could to defend his position. Hall had made a 6 car gap from the now chasing very hard Sollis, with Owen pushing past Kelly and the battles raged on for a few more laps. Hall crosses the line for the 2nd time this weekend being victorious, with Sollis 2nd, Owen 3rd and Kelly 4th. The Championship now goes down to the wire at Donington 21/22 October.
Kelly Rogers Racing would like
to congratulate Andrew Deviny for winning both races at Rockingham and now
crowning himself the 2006 Mini 7 Champion. Well done and good luck.
Round 1
Snetterton
Round 12
Donington Park
