The 2010 MA5DA MX5 Championship season opened at Brands Hatch with the Brook Brothers keen to build on last year’s promising first season. Del had won the 2009 Most Improved Driver so he’d already given himself a reputation to maintain, and he didn’t disappoint...

The last pre-race test of the BBR MX5 had been in the form of competing in the MSV Trackday Trophy. A one-off race at Brands Hatch two weeks prior to the MX5 1st round. This had to be a good opportunity to take but it did cause a couple of problems. Jerry managed to put his back out lugging tyres around, and the MX5 took a bash to the r/o/s wheel which negatively affected the suspension. MX5 rules permit hardly any engine modification at all, so the right suspension set up is vital and the problem went unnoticed until the practice/qualifying sessions.

Saturday 10th April was a beautiful sunny day and the paddock was buzzing with teams making last minute preparations for the various races throughout the day. MG racing classes meant several classic cars were being lovingly polished moments before being thrashed with inches of their lives. The MGs were out in anger first and one driver’s aforementioned thrashing spewed oil all over the track, this was quickly cleared up but the dust used to absorb the oil was going to give the MX5s a nightmare for the first few laps. 

With 60 cars racing in the opening rounds, the teams were split into four groups and each competed  in three of the six MX5 races over the weekend. 30 cars on each grid, total points calculated at the end of the weekend to give a full result for all 60 teams.

BBR didn’t qualify well due to the suspension problems, but Race 1 got off to a good start and Del easily held his own, and getting out of shape nicely around druids prior to picking off Car #33 on the last lap. Del finished 20th from a grid of 30 cars. Brook Brothers Racing scored 21st place in their second race.

An Abba Tribute band provided entertainment in the paddock on Saturday night, and their positive upbeat style obviously inspired and motivated BBR into scoring a fantastic 16th in Sunday’s race!

Brook Brothers Racing turned around a poor qualifying session caused by suspension damage into a great set of results and a promising start to the 2010 season. Del managed to pick up two trophies including another most improved driver award, and set a personal best lap time for Brands Hatch.

Championship Standing after first three rounds.... a very respectable 26th out of 60.

Report: Russ Stevens      Photos: Andy Stevens