Rounds 10 & 11Anglesey, 19-20 August
Rounds 10 & 11Anglesey, 19-20 August |
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With the 2006 Super Mighty Minis Championship entering into the final stages of the season,
the series moved to the far reaches of northwest Wales and the track of Anglesey.
It could not have been wetter as the competitors readied themselves for the qualifying session. The storm force winds and rain showed little sign of subsiding, and after much deliberation it was announced that qualifying would be abandoned on safety grounds; With large sections of the track were submerged the grids would be decided on current championship points positions. Fortunately, by early afternoon the weather had cleared enough for racing to take place.
On a very wet track, the cars lined up on the grid with one notable exception; the second place championship runner,
David Kirkpatrick, who's car had suffered at the hands of electrical gremlins.
As the red lights went out, the field of cars launched towards the fast first bend.
Comis was soon stamping his mark and defending hard to hold on to 2nd place.
By lap 3, a lunge into the hairpin from Tim Harbor saw Alex briefly relegated to 3rd,
but the challenging car was slid sideways into the hairpin, handing the position back to Comis.
By half distance, the lead pair of Alex and Neven Kirkpatrick had pulled out a healthy lead.
Soon the slower back-markers worked in Alex's favour and he was now swarming all over Neven's bootlid.
On the drying track Comis was pushing with Nev and Alex crossing the line within 1.5 seconds,
and showing total dominance over the rest of the field who were over 18 seconds behind.
On the 2nd step of the Podium Comis had mixed feelings on his result. "It's great to be here,
though if it weren't for my 2 errors though School [bend], I'm sure I could have pushed Nev into an error.
Still, we had a great race the pair of us and I can't wait for the race tomorrow".
Race two saw the threat of rain disappear as the Sun made a welcome return. Starting from 2nd place,
there were just the red lights between him and the clear track overlooking the Irish Sea.
A textbook launch off the lights, and Comis swooped across the track to take the defensive line,
and the lead of the race. A dominant start saw Comis increase his lead over Neven lap by lap.
What sounded like a missed gear soon put him under pressure from the second place car around mid distance into the race.
With Alex defending had into the 1st corner, Nev made a bold move around the outside and made it stick.
Comis was soon back on the attack and held on to the back of Nev's car. As the race drew towards the closing stages
Neven started to pull away as Comis seemed to have handling problems towards the end.
This played straight into the hands of the David Kirkpatrick who had a point to prove after the previous days misfortune,
and he soon swept into 2nd place.. As they headed towards the flag, Comis ended his weekend with another podium as he crossed the line in 3rd.
"Well I've got to be pleased with 2 podiums, but I'm gutted I couldn't convert my start into a win.
I missed 3rd gear out of the hairpin, and that gave Nev the run on me.
By half distance I was struggling for grip, and it would seem I did the remainder of the race with a tyre
that had delaminated which made the very quick School bend very tricky. Dave drove brilliantly from the back of the grid,
though I'm sure I could have won if it weren't for the tyre problem. Still, very thrilled with a double podium!"
Round 12 moves onto the fantastic track of Brands hatch 3rd September. A track, which suits Alex, and a great spectator venue set in a natural amphitheatre.