The Mini at the Autosport Show + Bill collects his awards - 24/01/06

Our ace reporter Bert Mk II has just sent in some excellent photos from the Autosport Show - the Mini is always well turned out, but it really does look very special indeed under the lights of Birmingham's NEC:

Bill has recently been seen 'all dressed up' at the annual British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) presentation dinner where he collected awards for his very successful season racing the Mini in the 'Track and Race cars Saloon Championship'. 

See the Bill Richards Racing Mini at the Autosport Show - 12/01/06

Please note that our championship winning Mini is currently on display at the Autosport show at the NEC, Birmingham. The car is being displayed on the 'Track and Race Cars' stand (Hall 8, Stand 8300) for the duration of the show which closes on the 15th of January. If you've not had chance to see our Mini at a venue near you or you just want a closer look please visit the show.

Stop Press - Renewed Sponsorship deal for 2006 - 07/12/05  

Bill Richards Racing are very pleased to announce that Piper Cams have agreed to renew their sponsorship of the team for the 2006 season.

Final results for the BARC Track & Race Cars Saloon Championship now available - 07/12/05

Rod Birley's website now has now published the final positions for the BARC Track & Race Cars Saloon Championship. Bill Richards came first in class and first overall, a superb result for the team. Bill and the team would like to pass on their thanks to all the Sponsors and enthusiasts who have supported the team through this exciting year of racing.

Click here to see the results on Rod Birley's Website 

BARC Track & Race Cars Saloon Championship at Brand Hatch - 19/11/05

The team returned to Brands Hatch for the final rounds of the BARC Track & Race Car Championship, the Mini headed into the meeting with a slender lead in the championship and knew that finishing both races directly behind its championship rival (the Peugeot 205 of Richard Brent) would be good enough to take the title. 

The clear skies overnight had sheathed the circuit in a thick layer of frost and several areas of the circuit were extremely slippery where the ice had formed, the weak autumnal sunshine failing to clear the circuit before the first cars were sent out onto the track. 

Qualifying 

With the ice still present in several key areas of the circuit several changes were made to the setup of the Mini to increase the grip levels available.  The early laps in the session were used to assess the condition of the circuit and find those areas of the circuit that were still frost covered. 

With the reconnaissance complete the Mini upped the pace and began to set some quicker lap times although they were compromised by a continued lack of grip in the braking area for the Druids hairpin. The icy conditions impacted the times for all competitors and it was the smaller less powerful cars that were able to take advantage – the Mini would line up 6^th on the full grid of 30 cars! 

Race 1 

The gap between qualifying and the first race had allowed the last of the ice to clear from the circuit, with the conditions improved the Mini would have to be aware of the more powerful cars making their way through the field after their traumatic qualifying session.  From the rolling start the Mini headed into the first corner maintaining its qualifying position and staying clear of trouble. 

For the remainder of the race the Mini battled with its championship rival 205, the two cars running nose to tail with the positions constantly changing, the highlight of the tussle was the sight of the two cars running through Paddock Hill Bend side by side at over 100mph!  The chequered flag fell with the Mini hard on the heels of the 205 for a 3^rd in class finish. 

Race 2 

The result from the first race meant that the Mini just needed to finish directly behind the 205 or better in the second race to take the title but with a group of four cars separated by just two tenths of a second it would be a tall order.  The start of the race saw the Mini and the 205 continue where they had left off, the two cars running one in front of the other with no space between them. 

The two championship protagonists closed in on the Fiesta ahead of them as they spurred each other onwards, the 205 finding a way past and edging away from the duelling Mini and Fiesta – the championship swung in favour of the 205.  With the Mini now embroiled in combat with the Fiesta another 205 joined the fray and attempted to pass the Mini!  The Mini successfully held of the advances of the interloper and set off in pursuit of the Fiesta once more, after closing the gap the Mini took advantage of the falling temperatures to pass the Fiesta as it ran wide after getting two wheels onto a line of frost forming on Clearways corner. 

Overtaking the Fiesta swung the championship back in favour of the Mini as it was now directly behind the 205 once more.  As ever the Mini didn’t settle for second best and began to close down the 205, traffic helped the Minis cause as it cut through the back markers with greater ease than the 205.  On the final lap the Mini closed up on the bumper of the 205 on the entry to the Druids hairpin, the 205 ran slightly wide and the Mini dived through to take the place!  The Mini successfully held the 205 off to the flag, the two cars flashing across the line less than a second apart, the Mini taking a superb 3^rd place overall and securing the championship! 

The team had a great weekend taking another class win, the class championship title and the overall championship title.  It was a fitting conclusion to a fantastic season, the racing all year has been spectacular, hard fought and above all clean.  As ever the Minis exploits were hugely appreciated by the crowd with the Mini being heartily cheered on from the grandstand at Paddock Hill Bend. 

The team would like to extend their thanks to the sponsors, organisers, marshals, competitors and everyone else that has made the season so enjoyable.

SEMSEC Saloon and Sports Cars Championship at Lydden - 29/10/05

With the teams sprinting exertions out of the way the focus turned to the afternoons racing – the final round of the SEMSEC Saloon & Sports Car Championship.

Qualifying 

The track conditions had not improved from the morning as the Mini headed out into the qualifying session.  The early laps of the session would be used to scrub in some new tyres before picking up the pace and setting some quicker lap times.  The Mini had a good clear session with no traffic, however, the session wasn’t without its dramas as the Mini suffered a problem with its clutch that restricted the lap times.  The Mini wasn’t the only car having a difficult session and the red flags were brought out to allow the recovery of a stranded vehicle bringing the session to an early halt.  The times recorded would see the Mini lining up 4^th on the grid – a great performance without a clutch! 

Race 

With no time to fix the clutch before the race the Mini would be sent to race as it finished qualifying!  The start was an area of concern for the team as the Mini could have trouble getting off the line.  The concern proved unfounded as the Mini flew away from the line – unfortunately before the lights had gone out!  Engaging first gear had caused the Mini to leap forward and jump the start.  The cars reformed for the second start, this time the Mini successfully held until the lights went out before launching off the line.  A good start by the Mini saw it immediately gain places as it capitalised on others poor starts and jump up to an incredible 2^nd place! 

The Mini was soon on the defensive attempting to fend off the attentions of a RallyCross Ka, after successfully repelling the assaults for several laps the Mini eventually succumbed to the Ka’s greater power.  As ever the Mini refused to give up and re-passed the Ka around the outside at Chessons!  The two cars traded places numerous times on the following laps before the Ka pulled out of the race with a technical problem. 

The battle with the Ka had slowed the Minis progress and soon the Mini fell victim to the attentions of a hard charging escort on the run into Paddock Hill bend.  The non stop action of the race continued with the Mini battling a Cosworth in the closing stages of the race.  The Mini finished an action packed race in 4^th position overall to take another class win – a superb result with no clutch! 

Bill Richards Racing Hire Car - SEMSEC - 29/10/05 

After its morning exertions there was to be no rest for the Bill Richards Racing Hire Mini in the afternoon as Pete Reeve once again took the wheel of the ‘spare’ car. 

Qualifying 

For the afternoon sessions the Hire Car was put back onto the soft road tyres and the setup was switched back to the dry setup as the weather had improved.  After spending the initial laps of the session re-acquainting himself with the car Pete began to pick up the pace – the stark difference between the front wheel drive Mini and Pete’s usual mount (a rear wheel drive TVR) demanding a change in Pete’s driving style.  As the session progressed Pete’s times dropped, the quickest lap posted was good enough for 16^th on the grid putting Pete in the middle of a large pack of BMW’s and Minis. 

Race 

As the race got underway (after Bills faux pas!) Pete headed into the first corner well up amongst his immediate competitors.  The early laps of the race saw him dicing with a mixed group of BMW’s and Minis, good progress was made through the pack and the hire car gained places lap after lap. 

Bill Richards Racing Sprinting - 29/10/05 

The Bill Richards Racing Hire Car was double entered in the mornings sprinting with both Bill and Andy (Mower) driving the car.  Bill is not a regular sprinter and it was to be Andy's first event which he was using as a build up to an anticipated full season of sprinting next year. 

Practice 

The track conditions were far from ideal with the surface being damp and particularly slippery. In light of this the car was switched onto wet tyres for the practice runs although the suspension setup was left in the full dry configuration. 

Bill was first out in the car and put in a couple of quick trouble free laps before returning to the paddock for a quick driver change to allow Andy his practice run. 

Andy headed out onto the circuit for the first time, the practice run marked his first drive of the car as well as his first laps around the Lydden Hill circuit.  The aim of the practice session was to familiarise himself with both the car and circuit before the timed runs.  After completing his practice laps Andy brought the car back to the paddock in one piece - a successful first outing in the car! 

First Runs 

The setup of the car was softened for the first timed runs as Bill felt the car was too stiff for the conditions and would be more forgiving with a setup change. 

Bill launched away from the line for his first timed run and kept up a good pace throughout his run setting a very good time in the process. 

Andy was looking to build on the experience of practice and certainly succeeded in that aim setting a much quicker time than practice.  The time set was particularly impressive given Andy's inexperience as it was only 2 seconds slower than a comparable car in the class driven by a more experienced driver. 

After returning to the paddock Andy and Bill discussed the run and areas that could be improved on the final run, Andy felt sure that there was more time to come as he learnt both the car and circuit. 

Second Runs 

For the final run Bill decided to push the car harder as he was convinced that there was more time to come from the car as the circuit conditions improved.  Another trouble free run saw Bill setting a quick time again to conclude his days sprinting. 

Setting out for his final run Andy was looking to continue the learning process and work on the areas for improvement he’d identified in his earlier run. 

Both drivers were happy with their results, Bill finished 2nd in class beaten only by a much more powerful space-framed car (and only beaten by a small margin) whilst Andy set impressive times for his first outing beating a number of cars in his class whilst also keeping the car in one piece - a successful debut and he can look forward to next year with some confidence.

Latest News: The team will not be contesting the 2006 Monte Carlo Rallye Historique - 26/10/05

Bill Richards Racing are no longer intending to compete in the 2006 Monte Carlo Rallye Historique. After gaining a great deal of experience on the 2005 event, the team were hoping to be far more competitive in their next attempt at this prestigious international event. Attempts to secure sufficient sponsorship have failed and the team hope to take a year out before making an attempt at the 2007 event. John Morrow and the Bill Richards Racing Team would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has expressed an interest and hope to be able to count on your support for a future attempt on the 'Monte'  

SEMSEC Saloons & Sports Cars Championship at Lydden - 09/10/05 

The latest round of the SEMSEC championship took the team back to the familiar venue of Lydden Hill. The weather was unseasonably good with the circuit basking in pleasant autumnal sunshine.

Qualifying 

The Mini headed out into the qualifying session planning to spend the early laps scrubbing in a front tyre before setting some quicker lap times, whilst completing these slower laps the Mini was also able to assess the condition of the circuit and in particular make a note of the location of a large patch of oil on the entry to the first corner.  The presence of the oil would require the Mini to take a different line through the corner and ultimately would impact the lap times, however, the times recorded were good enough for 4^th on the grid well up amongst the bigger machinery. 

Race 

A good start saw the Mini entering the first corner as part of the leading pack, before the end of the first lap the Mini had gained a place, taking advantage as an Escort span off the circuit.  With the leading pair pulling clear the Mini became involved in several dogfights, the first challenger came in the form of a Mini Miglia that briefly sneaked ahead of the Mini, the Mini soon fought back and regained the place with a smooth passing manoeuvre. 

After seeing of the Miglia the Mini soon had to fend off the advances of a V8 engined Focus!  The Mini had a huge power deficit but was far superior under braking and was able to use this advantage to keep the bigger car at bay. 

Having fought off one leviathan the Mini came under assault from a Cosworth, after a couple of near misses and briefly being forced onto the grass the Mini decided discretion was the better part of valour and conceded the place to the Cosworth.  The Mini was still comfortably leading its class and there was no sense in risking damage to the car at this stage of the season, the Mini held 4^th place to the flag and took another class win. 

BARC Track & Race Cars Saloon Championship at Silverstone - 24/09/05

The team made its first visit to the Silverstone Stowe circuit for the latest round of the BARC Track & Race Cars Saloon Championship.  Whilst the team was new to the circuit plenty of information had been gathered in advance (thanks to Steve Luscombe for the circuit diagram and braking point indications!).  The chance was also taken to walk the circuit prior to racing to aid the familiarisation process.

Qualifying 

The Mini headed out into the qualifying session under clear autumnal skies with the aim of learning the circuit before setting some quick times.  After a few early laps to establish the correct lines through the corners the Mini picked up the pace, the bumpy nature of the circuit combined with the stiffness of the Mini even caused the car to briefly become airborne!  The Mini returned to the paddock happy with the times set but also with vital information about the setup of the car – changes would be made before the race.  The lap times recorded would see the Mini line up third on the grid for the first race.

Race 1 

A fantastic start saw the Mini catapult off the line and straight into the lead with the pole sitting 205 hard on its heels.  However, the battle didn’t get a chance to develop as the race was red flagged!  The cars returned to the dummy grid to prepare for the restart – the cars starting in their original qualifying positions nullifying the Minis good work. 

Race 2 

The Mini lined up on the outside of the front row for the start of the second race and again made a superb start grabbing the lead again!  The advantage was short lived as the marauding 205 carried greater speed through a corner and was able to retake the place.  Again it looked like the race would remain in the balance until the chequered flag but the Mini picked up a puncture and gradually the 205 was able to ease away as the Mini began to understeer in the corners.  Whilst there was now no question of catching the 205 the Mini had to remain fully committed to take its second second place of the day. 

Many thanks to our ace race reporter, Bert MK II, who sent in this report and provided the excellent photos despite being in the middle of a house move - good luck in your new home from everyone at Bill Richards Racing - The Webmaster