A RACING driver has enjoyed an eventful weekend – after starting his first race in a new car at the back of the grid.
Ryan Smith was making the step-up to the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup after previously racing in the Scottish C1 Cup.
The change from a Citroen C1 to a Mini Cooper was one challenge but mechanical issues on Sunday meant he got more than he bargained for.
He said: “It was really quite eventful.
“Testing went well and qualifying came up but, just as we were getting called to the track, we had an issue with the car.
“We did not get out for qualifying and had to get permission to race.
“We had to start from dead last, which was not ideal in the first race, but at least we were starting.
“We finished in sixth, which was a pretty good result.
“There were 16 cars in our class and from 16th to sixth is not too bad.”
From there, Smith and the Minimax Motorsport team enjoyed an impressive debut.
The sixth-place finish in race one was followed up with an eighth-place finish in race two and another sixth place in the final race of the day.
Smith, who works for Dunbar-based Dry Fusion, had spent the previous three seasons battling it out in the Scottish C1 Cup.
He was in the title picture in 2019 until the final race of the season before narrowly missing out.
The coronavirus pandemic curtailed the following season before Smith enjoyed an impressive campaign to finish fourth last year.
Speaking to Courier Sport ahead of the first round of the season, he was looking forward to the switch to the Mini Coopers.
He said: “I think like a lot of championships everywhere, Covid hampered a lot of people.
“Entry numbers dropped quite a lot last year but they have really grown this year to 18-20 so far.
“Hopefully, we get a few more through the course of the season.
“It is always very close racing – sometimes a bit too close – but is exciting as ever.
READ MORE: Ryan Smith targeting chequered flag in Citroen C1
“There are quite a few new drivers, some up in previous years and a few newcomers and complete rookies.
“There is quite a mix, which should make for some interesting racing.”
Each round consists of three races, with all bar one of the rounds taking place at Knockhill.
Smith, who lives in West Barns, was familiar with the Fife circuit, having raced the Citroen over the 1.26-mile track many times.
He said: “It’s a great wee circuit.
“It is a bit like a rollercoaster with ups and downs, elevation changes, faster corners, but I have almost had to relearn it in terms of braking points and turning in.
“There is a difference between the two cars.”
The two cars are very different, with the Mini capable of reaching 105-110 mph – 20mph quicker than the Citroen.
Ahead of the season getting under way, Smith has been gaining advice from fellow former Dunbar Grammar School pupil Hannah Chapman.
A familiar face in Mini racing circles, Chapman has gone on to compete in the JCW class of the Mini Challenge series.
Smith, who is looking for sponsors to back him over the course of the season, added: “I am quite good friends with her and Michael Weddell, my team-mate.
“They are the two people helping me the most and I have been doing a bit of karting to keep myself in the racing mind and getting ready for this year.”
To support Smith, search for Ryan Smith Racing on Facebook.
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