37 replies to this topic

[Mini 360]

I bought a model of his car well before I bought my Mini.  This and Peter Baldwins Minis will always be my favourites.  Such a shame what happened though.  Thanks for sharing these excellent photos with us!

[mab01uk]

Same race Mini in 1974 Paddock Bend, Brands Hatch....this time with my brother Geoff at the wheel......note the addition of a 70's style front spoiler and the flatter profile to the roof following the trend in 'Special Saloons' for replacing large steel panels like the roof with lightweight aluminium sheet pop riveted in place !

Edited by mab01uk, 09 December 2013 - 12:05 AM.

[Colinmac1330]

Always loved the paint scheme on the miglia, actually modelled my old autograss mini on it with a similar paint scheme!

[mab01uk]

Steve Bell and team building the Mini Se7en race car prize in 36 hours at the 'Mini @ 40' Silverstone celebrations in 1999.

http://www.mini7.co....uildFeature.pdf

[OzOAP]

Just come across this forum/thread.
Steve was a fantastic bloke and a great friend. He helped me start up my company with advice and premises.
We used his Mini 7 as a testbed for engine development in 1997, his championship winning year, the same spec engine won the championship for the next 6 years with Matt Hayman, Dave Braggins (2) and Tim Sims (3)
The Bell/Braggins battles of '97/'98 were some of the best in Mini 7 history. As engine supplier to them both, there was always one moaning after finishing second.
Great times...

[Old Bob]

I guess you can't hold back progress but everything now seems so over regulated, safety concious and expensive.......

 

It just seems to me that we had so much more fun in those days when we did everything on a shoe-string. 

 

Bob

[fwdracer]

Just come across this forum/thread.
Steve was a fantastic bloke and a great friend. He helped me start up my company with advice and premises.
We used his Mini 7 as a testbed for engine development in 1997, his championship winning year, the same spec engine won the championship for the next 6 years with Matt Hayman, Dave Braggins (2) and Tim Sims (3)
The Bell/Braggins battles of '97/'98 were some of the best in Mini 7 history. As engine supplier to them both, there was always one moaning after finishing second.
Great times...

Are you still fettling Mini7 engines?

[OzOAP]

Haven't done any for about 10 years. Regulations haven't changed and some OAP powered cars still hold lap records, so not much development has gone on.
Won seven Mighty/Super Mighty Mini championships from 2000 to 2007, but gave up on them as its a very 'incestuous' championship.
I still build engines for a living, not many Minis, but I do still 'tinker'
PM me your number if you want a chat. You might get me interested again.

[mab01uk]

Good to see a few members of the old 'Steve Bell' racing team were back at Brands this weekend with a podium finish (3rd) in the Mini 7 race on Saturday.

 

 

 

Edited by mab01uk, 04 November 2014 - 07:45 PM.

[OzOAP]

Found this pic.

Three OAP powered Mini Se7ens.

Dave Braggins, Micky Bray, Steve Bell.

Steve and Micky are no longer with us. Great blokes very much missed.

 

[wayne miller]

Is that you far right Oz?

ps you've already got the bug again, no denying it :)

[mab01uk]

Oz here is link to a thread I posted a while back on the late Micky Bray (also now copied it to here with all the pics)

http://www.theminifo...all-wizard-pop/

 

The late Micky Bray built the famous Ford Pop - 'Pinball Wizard' in the 1970's a regular at Custom Car and Rod shows of the era. He was also later a Mini Se7en Racer and shared his first race Mini with my late brother Steve Bell for a couple of seasons........Micky sadly died from cancer in 2006.

Some more pics of Pinball Wizard here:
http://www.rodsnsods...ll-wizard-42136







Pinball Wizard in the 1970's and the Corgi version of Mickey Brays Mini 7 Racer.

"The late Mickey Bray`s Metalflake Mini 7 car was built by Mickey in the late 80`s and was campaigned every year up until the end of 2005 during which time the car did not suffer any major accident damage. A testament to Mickeys` driving. The car was simple, ultra competive and very reliable. In the highly competitive world of Mini 7 racing Mickey invariably finished in or around the top 10, winning at Brands Hatch in 1998 whilst overcoming a 10 sec start penalty. The cars last outing was the last race of 2005 at Rockingham Motor Speedway where it finished 6th."

Click the link below to see a Photo of Mickey Bray in action racing his Mini Se7en 23rd July 2005 at Silverstone, note the cars sponsor.....Metalflake a link back to his early Custom Car days.
http://www.redshoes-...1921&cat=search

[OzOAP]

Is that you far right Oz?
ps you've already got the bug again, no denying it :)

Yep thats me mate...probably just getting ready to hear the drivers excuses.

Martin, that's a great piece about Micky.

[mab01uk]

Epic Thruxton Last Corner - 1998 

 

[OzOAP]

Brilliant. I remember it well. 6 of them 8 ran my engines.