1998 Season Results and reports, Click on the venue or scroll down to see what happened.

Silverstone Test Day, March 3rd

Every year, Rover pay for all the mini racers to have a test day at Silverstone and this event was the first time the as yet unnamed Moontech Team had been out in three years. The car drove well, but we didn't compare it with other cars and we took no timings.

John Taylor Handicap Race, Lydden Hill, May 10th

With a problem free test day under our belts, we travelled down to Kent for the first race. Qualifying went well, but the gearlinkage came away from the back of the gearbox and the car was stuck in second. We made a mental note to keep and eye on the gear linkage as we hadn't checked it before the race.

National Series, Brands Hatch, May 25th

Qualifying went well in that we qualified, 21 out of 22, with a lap time of under a minute, but some 6 seconds off the pole pace. Between qualifying and the race, we found the rocker cover was leaking  (for leaking read spraying) but we cleaned up and sent Mark out for the race. Finishing 17th, it was our first finish and we were well chuffed with it. The oil breathing problems were set to dog us for the next few races.

National Series, Thruxton, September 1st.

Having used a Playstation to learn a circuit that was completely new to us, Qualifying went well until an oil hose failed. Having logged a time of 114.09, the car limped back to the pits and the cheif engineer worked feverishly for the next two hours. The car finished the race in 22nd.

National Series, Cadwell Park, 19th July

The team travel the previous night and slept under canvas. In the morning, we walked the circuit with a pram as we had never driven Cadwell. However, the pram was not losing any oil and Mark reported it had more grip than the race car. Qualifying in a time of 115.44, the race was a DNF, (did not finish) as the diff let go, cracking the gearbox casing. A major gearbox and diff rebuild was the resut.

Test Day, Lydden Hill, July 28th  

Some changes to car setup were made for the return to Kent, but continued massive oil usage meant we had to stop. On return to Enfield Workshop, the piston rings were found to be shot. This was causing the oil problems. The engine was sent away for work.

Mini World Trophy, Lydden Hill, August 23rd

With the rebuilt engine, differential and gearbox, the team once again negotiated the Blackwall Tunnel for another outing to the one mile circuit at Lydden. With a personal best lap of 49.71, we managed 8th on the grid. Only 2.67 seconds off pole pace. However, the rain came and our rather old Wets tyres were not up to sratch and we spun on lap 5.

Silhouette Saloon, Lydden Hill, September 27th.

Just to get some track time and to try to iron out the problems, we returned yet again to Lydden Hill for a two race event. Qualifying with same time for both races, a slightly slow 50.4, we were 9th for the first race. With a brand new oil cooler to combat the unseasonal warmth, we managed 6 laps before the cooler let go and was removed. The second race, well what can we say. For three laps an exciting tussle with an pair of Fords and a Hillman Avenger, the car clipped the kerb at Paddock and turned over 4 times. Mark was bruised and suffered a sprained thumb, the car was destroyed and the team (not to mention the entire crowd) was visibly shaken.

Winter Series, Brands Hatch, November 22nd.

With a new car, we went to a damp Brands with high hopes and we were not to be dissappointed. Qualifying was quiet, with us coming 10th of 29. In the race however, the front four guys conspired to have a massive off at the first corner and Mark expertly (we thought) took to the grass and avoided the worst of the carnage. Some of the slower Mini Se7ens, however got lucky and didn't need to leave the tarmac and overtook us, though Mark enjoyed himself, using the Miglia's superior power and handling to battle back up to 7th. A successful and pleasing day.