The BARC Cannons Tin Tops returned to Lydden Hill alongside the DMN championship. The 5 port Mini in action once more fresh from its stint as a “race taxi” at the Miniworld action held Castle Combe.

Qualifying

A sunlit circuit greeted the Mini as it headed out for its qualifying session. After finding a gap in the traffic the Mini picked up the pace and put in the required number of laps to qualify before returning to the paddock for a quick tyre change (the Mini was also using qualifying to evaluate some new rubber). Coming back out onto the circuit after swift work from the team the Mini was immediately back on the pace. As the session ended the Mini snatched an incredible pole position – no mean feat against some far more powerful opposition.

Race 1

Rolling starts were the order of the day in the Tin Top races, as the Mini lead the pack around the circuit behind the pace car rain began to fall. The pace car peeled off into the pit lane and the Mini controlled the speed of the pack on the run to the lights, as the lights went out the pack shot across the line and headed to the first corner. The Mini was passed by a quick starting Tomcat and Renault 5 Turbo and the pack was still tightly bunched as they completed the first lap.

The Mini fended off the attentions of a Proton that was close on its tail and consolidated its 3rd position. The rain began to ease and the Minis pace increased allowing it to latch onto the tail of the Renault 5 ahead. After a brief duel the Mini passed the Renault and set about closing the gap to the leader whilst keeping an eye on the mirror as the Proton and Renault squabbled behind the Mini.

By this point the rain had stopped and a dry line had appeared once more, the Mini making full use of the available grip to pass the Tomcat at Chessons and take the lead of the race. The Tomcat did not give up the fight and continued to harass the Mini as the laps wound down, however, the Mini was equal to the challenge and held off the Tomcat to take the chequered flag and a superb overall win.

Race 2

The Mini once again lead the pack behind the pace car on the formation lap as the rain fell steadily from leaden skies. The run to the first corner saw the Mini being passed by the Tomcat and a Celica, the pack bunched up and the Mini found itself forced wide allowing a Proton and Rover to take advantage and gain places. Immediately going back on the offensive the Mini looked to make a move on the Rover as the cars went into the Devils Elbow. The conditions caught the Rover out and it span forcing the Mini to take evasive action as the Rover slewed across the circuit across its path.

Having successfully avoided a collision the Mini found itself off line and under pressure from a second Proton, having got a better run out of the Elbow the Proton was able to pass the Mini on the run to the North Bend Hairpin and take the position. Once again the Mini refused to give up and began to harass the Proton in an attempt to regain the position. The two cars ran nose to tail as each sought a decisive move, this allowed the recovering Rover to close up on the pair and join the fray.

The three way fight for position saw each car looking for a decisive move, the Mini looked to pass the Proton but found itself blocked, this left the Mini vulnerable and the Rover lunged past to take the place. The Mini now tucked in behind the Rover and sought to regain the position, the Rover had different ideas and quickly despatched the Proton before edging away. Doggedly hanging on to the tail of the Proton the Mini continued to look for a way past continually applying pressure to the car ahead. Finally the Minis persistence paid off and it passed the Proton under braking going into the Devils Elbow, getting a clean exit the Mini was able to edge away and make the place secure. As the chequered flag fell the Mini crossed the line to take a second class win of the day after a hard fought race.

The 5 Port Mini enjoyed a strong day taking Pole position, an outright race win and a brace of class wins. The teams quick tyre change during qualifying allowed the Mini to maximise it potential during the session and this was the foundation of a fine set of results for the car against some strong opposition.