2007
Kelly Rogers Racing
Round 8 Brands Hatch 26th
August
Brands Hatch Indy circuit saw round 8 of the Mini Miglia Championship, the one day meeting in the middle of the Bank Holiday weekend. With time off before and after this race meeting is a rarity as normally it is rushing to the race circuit, do your weekends racing and then rushing back to get a few hours sleep before work again.
Qualifying was set for just after midday, the sun was starting to break through the clouds and the temperature was steadily rising. The 15 minute session around this 1.199 mile circuit saw Kelly do 14 laps in total constantly in the low 55's with his best time being set on lap 12 with a 55.225 second lap, this is averaging a speed of 77 mph. This placed Kelly second on the grid with Owens taking pole and Hack taking third fastest time, the 3 title contenders still locked in battle.
With the Miglia's being last race of the day, Kelly had some time to relax whilst the team checked the car over. The weather had brightened up and the sun was blazing down, the call came early for the Miglia's to go to the assembly point.
All 17 miglia's rolled out onto the grid ready for the green flag lap, bobbing and weaving as they pulled up onto the grid trying to get as much heat into the tyres for the start. The red lights on, then out straight away, Hack got the hole shot over the front row two going into paddock Hill bend first with Owens and Kelly hot on his heels. As they all come rushing up Druids line a stern, with 14 laps to do, things at the front were going to be close. For the first 4 laps Kelly sat in third watching and waiting, then as they approach druids Kelly was able to tuck it up the inside of Owens, Kelly now tucked in behind Hack who was driving a very clean lap to make sure he made no mistakes as he knew the chasing two would and could pounce at any moment. Lap 7 and Kelly still holding 2nd position, approaching coopers straight a back marker is in the line of fire as the top three coming rushing down the hill. Hack and Kelly brake hard as he is on the racing line, slowing there momentum, Owens has a cleaner sweep as the back marker moves out the way to out drag Kelly along coopers straight. Kelly back in third pushes hard at every opportunity to try and make another overtaking manoeuvre. Laps 8 to 14 see the front three dicing at every inch of the circuit showing a spectacular display of car control and total trust and respect for each other in some of these high speed corners. Last lap and Hack was totally controlling it from the front, both Owens and Kelly were trying to see if a gap appeared to gain places or take the lead, all three crossed the line in perfect formation with Hack taking victory, then Owens and then Kelly.
So now the fact remains, 3 drivers with one goal, to win the championship, all within one point of each other in the drop score game. Two rounds left, all eyes will be on the first race and the finishing positions so the mathematicians with be seeing who has to finish where in race 2!!
Round 8
Brands Hatch
