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Sport

Bill Richards takes two 'Fastest Mini in the World' podiums at Brands Hatch Mini Festival

By: Dan Wright dwright@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 20:15, 07 August 2023

Updated: 20:26, 07 August 2023

Bill Richards started his 50th year of competition in fine style by claiming two second-place finishes at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

The veteran racer, 73, joined a strong field in two 'Fastest Mini in the World' events at the West Kingsdown circuit's 11th Mini Festival.

Richards scored two second-place finishes in the ‘Fastest Mini in the World’ races. Picture: Simon Hildrew

Richards, who splits his time between Brookland on Romney Marsh and the Isle of Wight, had not worked on his Maguire Mini Traveller since last year's running of the event.

But he qualified third of 16 starters and enjoyed a good fight with Ashan Silva in the first race, beating the Sri Lankan driver to the flag by two seconds.

Richards survived contact on the Brabham Straight in the second race to score the same result and is now planning extensive work to his two-litre machine, nicknamed 'Bessie'.

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"She needs a complete overhaul - she's tired and everything is worn out - but she did well holding her own against a competitive field," Richards said.

"I will pick and choose which events I do this year, but I do want to do the Special Saloons series with the CSCC [Classic Sports Car Club].

Richards, now 73, pictured in 2002. Picture: Kerry Dunlop
The Mini Spares-backed driver at speed in his Maguire Mini Traveller. Picture: Simon Hildrew

"I should be retired - I'm 73 now - but this is my 50th year of competition and I don't want to stop yet."

Mini Spares-backed Richards, who was twice beaten by Mini Clubman driver Richard Billingham, ran a second car on Sunday for American competitor Don Racine.

He retired the eight-port Mini from race one after finding the gravel trap at Surtees but was the final finisher in the second encounter.

The car is usually used by Richards – a trackday instructor at Lydden Hill – for passenger rides in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Matthew Page, from Rolvenden, won race two in the Mini Seven S class. He finished third in race one but was demoted to sixth after being handed a 10-second penalty for a false start. Picture: Simon Hildrew
St Michaels-based engine specialists Swiftune put on a Mini Cooper S display. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Aaron Smith, from Aylesford, finished fourth in the first Mini Miglia race but crashed out on the first lap in race two. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Robert Pavey, from Maidstone, finished ninth in the first Mini Seven race, but failed to finish race two. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Jonnie Kent, from Tenterden, finished 26th and 14th overall in the two Mini Miglia races. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Arnold Duncan, from Lydd, finished ninth in the first Mini Seven S Class race. He crashed out on the opening lap of race two, continued after a red flag, but was unclassified at the finish. Picture: Simon Hildrew

Brands Hatch will host Festival Italia on Sunday, with racing from Ferraris and Alfa Romeos. Adult tickets cost £25 in advance or £28 on the gate, with children under 13 going free.

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