Motorsport RACE RESULTS SE7EN/S-CLASS: RACE 1 1st - Tom Sanderson 2nd - Darren Thomas 3rd - Max Hunter 6th - Scott Kendall (S-Class) SE7EN/S-CLASS: RACE 2 1st - Darren Thomas 2nd - Spencer Wanstall 3rd - Tom Sanderson 5th - Nick Croydon-Fowler (S-Class) Tom Sanderson had his first series victory. THRILLS & SPILLS Drama aplenty as <strong>Mini</strong>s steal the show at Thruxton 50th Anniversary. The <strong>Mini</strong> Se7ens kicked off the race action with former Metro champion Tom Sanderson converting pole position into a first series victory. Having blown an engine in qualifying, Darren Thomas’ replacement was a flyer to give him second ahead of points leader Max Hunter and quickest-over-a-lap, Daniel Budd in fourth. Dom Burger took fifth ahead of S-Class winner Scott Kendall, once initial leader Nick Croydon-Fowler had dropped out. Humid conditions caused overheating issues, but of note James Bull still managed to set a new S-Class lap record, and Julian Proctor stormed into the top 10. A mid-morning Sunday start for the Miglias opening race was shaping up to be a belter when yellow flags at the chicane initiated the first of two accidents. With both emerging okay, Dave Drew came through to take a victory ahead of Nick Padmore, Aaron Smith and Kane Astin, the latter setting a new lap record from the sixth row. Among the six Libres to start, Jonathan Lewis took a class debut win ahead of David Franks. In the second Se7en encounter, Thomas established a narrow lead over the jostling pack when on lap four there was an almighty commotion over the far side of the circuit and a car could be seen tumbling over the barriers 24 into a marshals’ post. After a short safety car period, red flags halted proceedings as rescue vehicles and ambulances were despatched. The news filtered through that the two people taken to the medical centre were up and walking, a marshal with bruising and cuts but otherwise ok, and Daniel Budd whose #47 it was that had gone off. Surveying the remains of the shell later it is testament to current build integrity that Dan was unharmed, if perhaps still in shock. The result was taken on countback to four laps, giving Thomas the win ahead of Spencer Wanstall, Sanderson and Hunter, with Croydon-Fowler leading the S-Class at the time. The day’s events were brought to an uplifting conclusion with a belter of a Miglia race. Lap after lap the lead changed hands, with Drew and Smith mostly out front, along Dave Drew took victory in the Miglias... MIGLIA/LIBRE: RACE 1 1st - Dave Drew 2nd - Nick Padmore 3rd - Aaron Smith 7th - Jonathan Lewis (Libre) MIGLIA/LIBRE: RACE 2 1st - Aaron Smith 2nd - Dave Drew 3rd - Kane Astin 12th - David Franks (Libre) Words Richard Williamson Photography Stephen Colbran with Astin, Peacock, Charlie Budd and, after a mammoth effort to straighten his car from the morning off, Deeth. The latter looked to have pinched it with a couple of laps to go, but just overcooked it into the chicane which allowed Drew and Smith to open a tiny gap as the rest had to lift to avoid the half-spun car. In a final last lap, Drew went to the outside but Smith just held the perfect line to squeeze him out, with Astin, Peacock, Budd and Jason Porter virtually tied together behind. In the Libres, newcomer Franks took the win from Ian Fraser, after early leader Lewis pulled off. The M7RC now heads off across the North Sea to Zandvoort in Holland for Rounds 7 and 8, over the 7-8 July weekend. ...and celebrated in style.
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