Mini World – July 2019

MiniWorld July 2019 83

Words: Bill Bell. Photos: Ian Sims.

MK1 Performance

Conversions Action Day

Great display

of Minis from

non track day

participants.

T

he Mk1 Performance

Conversions Action Day has

become a must-attend event

over its six years. It is unlike

any other classic Mini date on the

calendar with its informal, motorsport-

focused, friendly atmosphere. It

is reminiscent of paddocks in the

Mini’s heyday. Running, as usual,

over the bank holiday weekend at

the start of May, this year’s event

took place over two days.

There were static displays of Minis

and derivatives and an open pit lane

track day, all at the same venue of

Blyton Park Circuit in Lincolnshire.

There were guest speakers from the

world of Mini motorsport from years

gone by and busy traders selling

lots of parts all weekend long.

This year saw a real international

fl avour with attendees from

Portugal, Holland, France,

Germany and Isle of Man.

A sunny and dry Saturday morning

saw 52 cars booked in for track action

on the technically challenging, tight

and twisty Eastern Circuit. Early

morning sign-on was followed by

sighting laps in two groups to see

the layout of the day’s track.

An open pit lane ran from 9.50am

until 12.30pm, with a one-hour break

for lunch fi lled with a parade lap for

visiting Minis, followed by prizes

being presented by two Mini rallycross

stars ‘Jumping’ Geo Williamson

and George Jackson. Track action

resumed at 1.30pm until a 5.30 close.

The legendary Christabel Carlisle

was guest speaker for the evening,

giving a wonderfully witty, fascinating

and inspiring insight into her Mini

racing career and what it took

regularly beat the established male

drivers of the day regularly.

Day two started dry and saw 32 cars

on the Outer Circuit with the forecast

rain arriving mid-afternoon. Some

very brave souls stayed out on track in

very challenging conditions to fi nish

a wonderful weekend of classic Mini

action which raised a staggering £2565

for support of Cancer Research UK.

Find out more at: http://mk1-

performance-conversions.co.uk

John Fisher's recently discovered yellow barn

find Peel Viking on the Mini derivatives stand

It was great fun on track, with

a diverse selection of Minis.

Guest speaker Christabel Carlisle flanked by

organisers Pete Flanagan (left) and Mark Forster.

The Gray

brothers take

a rest from the

track action.