Lisette Ogborn late season update

Oulton chicane battling (Photo by Marc Waller)

Oulton chicane battling (Photo by Marc Waller)The season finale of the 2018 Mighty Mini Championship was played out on at Oulton Park on 20th October 2108 in front of a determined crowd braving a chilly, but stunning, autumn day.

Lisette was leaving nothing to chance for rounds fifteen & sixteen investing in some practice on the Friday before race day.

Previous rounds at Brands Hatch and Snetterton had been challenging for Lisette. The long hot and dry summer came to an abrupt and brutal end over the August Bank Holiday weekend with heavy rain drenching Brands Hatch during the annual Mini Fest. After a damp qualifying Lisette placed eighth for race one and held on to that position despite some close racing. This was enough to elevate her to sixth overall in the Championship!

By race two the rain was torrential. Cars of all description and in all classes were struggling for grip, slipping and sliding with frequent visits to the gravel trap keeping the marshals busy all day. Struggling in unfamiliar conditions Lisetteplaced a very plucky fourteenth.

Rounds thirteen & 14 were held at Snetterton. Lisette had a difficult qualifying session on a circuit new to her, coming off the track several times and damaging her car. For the first time this season she found herself starting at the very back of the grid. That disappointment continued in race one and an early incident left Lisette’s car with an alignment issue impacting both straight line and cornering speed. A quick pit stop confirmed that the car was OK to continue so she pushed on albeit finishing last. By race two the car was fixed again, not necessarily as good as new but good enough for Lisette to squeeze her way up the grid to ninth before a technicality recorded her as a DNF, this only came to light much later. By the end of the weekend Lisette had seen her position in the overall championship slide.

However, there was still plenty to play for come the final rounds of the Mighty Mini Championship at Oulton Park, including the top three positions and other trophies. This ensured a good turnout of competitors and spectators. Practice on the Friday under clear skies and cool autumnal sunshine went well for Lisette as she quickly consigned the troubles from the earlier rounds to history. Her focus was on climbing the championship ladder and perhaps staying in contention for one of the championship trophies!

Race day started early and cold. Very cold. Lisette was surprised not to wake to a frost. The mercury had hardly moved by the time of qualifying but the track was dry and Lisette achieved her target of a top ten qualifying position. Race one was frantic, the long sweeping curves perfect for the agile Minis as they rushed around the circuit often two and three abreast. As expected on this tight circuit the racing was close throughout with plenty of action as the drivers jostled for position, at times drifting through the freshly mown grass. Lisette held her nerve and position romping home tenth.

Race two was the grand finale. The last hooray before the long winter break. Far from the anti-climax that these races can be it was another filled with action. Lisette had a good start, made up places and, despite some near misses as cars majestically spun and slid, she came home unscathed and in the top ten. Job done. It was enough to haul Lisette up to seventh overall and as she likes to say ‘runner-up of the women racers’!

Flying at Snetterton (Photo by Marc Waller) Racing around lodge corner at Oulton (Photo by Marc Waller) 

 

 

 

Summing up Lisette said “this season has been a blast, from twenty second overall last season to seventh this year feels great. Many thanks to Steve, Lyn and Mark at Octane Racing for all their support, and to all my friends and family for coming out to cheer me on. Thanks also to my hubby, Paul, for cleaning my windscreen and making sure I have my gloves and camera!”

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