The MINI Challenge gets underway this weekend at Snetterton and we're expecting a close-fought battle this season as Luke Caudle and Lee Allen, former Challenge champions, return to the series to mix it up.
Patrick Mortimer is one to watch for too, and we'll certainly be rooting for him, in his distinctive Scalextric MINI - he'll certainly be hoping his car handles like as though it's attached to the track.
The squad, which is operated by Advent Motorsport, confirmed its return to the Challenge this week, and with it brings the iconic Scalextric backing to the championship for an 11th year. Team Scalextric will run a single R56 JCW car for Mortimer and a Cooper Class machine for team-mate Adrian Norman.
Mortimer gained good experience of the turbocharged 220bhp JCW last season after graduating up through the Cooper Class. He says his second season in the top category won’t be such a learning curve:
“I’m really looking forward to getting back on the grid and representing the Scalextric name again. Last season was tough to adjust to the R56, but we got closer to the pace by the end of the year.
“The hardest thing to adapt to was using the turbo correctly, timing the gear changes to keep the boost on, calming it down in the wet, and keeping the momentum through corners. They were all tough to get used to. Now I feel a lot more comfortable in the car and think we can move forward as a team.”
Norman finished seventh overall in the points last season after a solid performance in the Cooper Class. He too believes experience will pay:
“It’s a late deal to get Scalextric behind us again but it’s fantastic for the brand and the MINI Challenge. Scalextric and MINI have a long association and it’s great to have the cars out in full livery again.
“I learned a lot in my first year of racing last season and was just getting to grips with the car as the season ended. Getting points on the board consistently is the main thing and then building pace. I’m confident I can hit the ground running this year and be closer to fighting for a podium finish, which has to be my aim this year. With our extra experience and the support from the team I’m sure both Patrick and I are in for a great season.”
Elsewhere this weekend you can see racing at:
SEMSEC
www.semsec.org.uk
APRIL 6 TWMC Sprint/SEMSEC Race Meeting
CLASSIC TOURING CHAMPIONSHIP
www.csccgb.co.uk
APRIL 6 Oulton Park
MINTEX MSA BRITISH HISTORIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
www.hrcr.co.uk
APRIL 6-7 Rally North Wales Welshpool
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