Sarah Humphries
- Jul 2
- 5 min read

Race Report - BMB Round 3

Updated: Jul 3

Round 3 of the British Minibike Championship saw us make the 9.5hr journey down to Pembrey Race Circuit in Wales:

Track Direction - Clockwise
Number of Turns - 10

Friday - Test Day

I enjoyed the big track just not on the little bike. It was a bit bumpy in a few places but got to grips with it quickly. The long straights were challenging as the bike seemed down on power compared to others. I had a good few sessions and used the time to try out different gearing and corner entries. Being at East Fortune on the 300 a couple of weeks ago definitely helped with getting used to a bigger track.

Saturday

Format for the day was Practice 1, Practice 2, Qualifying 1, Qualifying 2

I did Practice 1 for the FIM 160 class but sat out Practice 1 of the BMB 160/50 to save a bit on tyres.

For Practice 2 of BMB 160/50 we did change a of gearing and managed to get my best lap so far of 1:06.236. Myself and Frankie were both trying to be tactical and let each other go in front 🤣

Well done to my mate Arnie on his flying lap and to my team mate Joshua who was constantly improving his lap times. He really seemed to love the big track.

Qualifying 1 - FIM MGP 160

With the nice weather, my mum promised me an ice cream if I could get my lap times into the 1:05s 🤣 This gave me an extra wee bit of motivation and I managed to push it and get the job done - P1 in Q1 but not much in it.

Q1 - 1:05.682

P1 out of 13

Qualifying 1 - BMB 160/50

With a mixture of bikes in this class, it opens it up a bit and makes it more challenging. I kept my lap times consistent throughout and back into the 1:05s although it was tough.

Q1 - 1:05.771 (0.38 off P1)

P3 out of 18

Qualifying 2 - FIM MGP 160

Everyone was pushing and the lap times were so close. I managed to pull it out of the bag and set my best lap time so far with a 1:05.438

Q2 - 1:05.438

P1 out of 14

Qualifying 2 - BMB 160/50

I wasn’t sure whether to go out in the last qualifying session as I didn’t feel I could push any harder and it’s extra wear on tyres and on the engine but I decided to give it one last go. Thankfully it paid off and I almost matched my lap time in the FIM class with 1:05.442

This put me up to P2 overall in qualifying which I am happy with as P1 wasn’t a sealed engine so had more power.

Q2 - 1:05.442 (0.097 off P1)

P2 out of 16

Sunday

Format for the day was Warm Up, Race 1, Race 2

Race 1 - FIM MGP 160

10 laps

Started P1 and got a good start. I kept the lead into the first few corners. Unfortunately my bike seemed to be down on power again and on the first straight both Hudson and Wilson flew passed me. I was then battling with Frankie and Joshua for 3rd. I was managing to make gains on the corners but losing time on the straights. With about 4 laps to go I was in front but hit a bit of a bump causing me to lose the front end and come off. Unfortunately that was the end of my race.

DNF

Best lap time - 1:06.504

Race 1 - BMB 160/50

10 laps

After quickly getting my bike recovered, checked over and through technical inspection, I managed to make it out for the race. I started in P2 and held it for first few corners but as soon as we got to the straights, Hudson slip streamed and passed me. I managed to outbreak him and pass going into the first corner on 2nd lap. Very frustrating being passed on the straights but there was nothing I could do apart from keep fighting back into the corners.

The top 3 continued to pull away but I held P4 for the rest of the race and was glad of some points.

Comparison of lap times for riders who had a sealed 160 engine for FIM vs their Open 160 bikes in this class just shows the difference in power between their bikes. Unfortunately I only have the one bike for both classes so had to make the most of what I had.

Looking at my data after the race my top speed was 5mph off my team mates (likely a combination of rider weight and bike low on power.) The weight training I’ve been doing at the gym is good for the big bikes but a disadvantage on the MiniGP 🤣

Finished P4

Best lap time - 1:05.771 (this was when I managed to get into slip stream - all other laps were into higher 1:06s)

Race 2 - FIM MGP 160

10 laps

Although I crashed out in Race 1, my lap time put me P5 on the grid for this race. I knew I had my work cut out but dad had managed to put a new engine in which we were hopeful would have better top speed than old one.

In this series we are limited to one bike and maximum of 3 engines which we can have rebuilt as often as needed. However, of the 2 I had, both of them needed rebuilt so we had to purchase a 3rd from Ohvale.

I got a good start and went into P3 into the first corner then up to P2 by the end of first lap. From there I managed to start pulling a slight gap. The new engine appeared to be performing better and my lap times were consistently back in the low 1:06s and into the 1:05s. I finished in P2 which I was more than happy with for this track. Well done to Hudson on his double win.

Finished P2

Best lap time - 1:05.728

Race 2 - BMB 160/50

10 laps

I started P4 and held that position until I made the pass on Hudson into turn one on lap 4. The open bikes had now pulled a gap and there was no way we could catch them. I continued in P3 until the final corner of the last lap where Hudson used the slip stream and made a move up the inside. I was happy that my bike was performing better and all laps were consistent and in the 1:05s. I crossed the line in P4.

Finished P4

Best lap time - 1:05.391 (my PB of the weekend)

Overall, not the weekend I was hoping for, but I knew Pembrey wouldn’t be a good track for me so didn’t have high expectations. The DNF on Race 1 was a big blow but even with how the weekend went, I am still leading both championships, for now. So I will stay positive and move onto the next one which is Three Sisters in Wigan next month.

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