Sarah Humphries
- Sep 5
- 5 min read

Race Report - BMB Round 5 & 6

Round 5 and 6 (double header) of the British Minibike Championship took us to, Whilton Mill Circuit down near Northampton:

Track Direction - Clockwise
Number of Turns - 14

This was the final championship weekend for both of the classes I was in. However I thought there was still one more to go in the BMB 160/50 Cup when I headed into the weekend. It turns out Round 7 at Red Lodge is for non ACU Road to MotoGP classes although there will be a class running for those that want to attend.

Friday

Format was Practice 1, Practice 2, Qualifying 1, Qualifying 2

I hadn’t been to this track for a couple of years and with the new chicane that’s been put in and no practice day on the Thursday I had my work cut out to get to grips with the track quickly.

The track has a mixed surface, smooth in places but bumpy in others. I liked the hairpin because I could brake really late and carry good corner speed to get the drive out. The chicane was challenging but manageable and I started to get a good flow throughout.

Each session I was improving and dropping my lap times. With a new set of tyres going into qualifying I managed to get P1 in the FIM MiniGP 160 Q1 and P2 in the BMB 160/50 Cup

Luckily the sun was out as the track is very slippery in the wet. We call it slippery mill 🤣

Overall combined times and positions for qualifying:

FIM MiniGP 160 - P1 out of 12 with a lap time of 53.263

BMB 160/50 Cup - P2 out of 13 with a lap time of 53.408

Saturday

Format was Warm Up, Race 1, Race 2

Race 1 - FIM MiniGP 160

I went into the race with a 32 point lead in the championship.

14 laps

Started P1

It was a lot cooler on Saturday so the track temperature was lower. During the warm up lap my teammate Hudson clipped my back wheel and unfortunately came off. Absolutely gutted for him.

I got an ok started but Wilson got the hole shot so I was down into P2. We both started to pull an early gap with Frankie in P3. There was a red flag just over 3 laps in at the final corner but luckily both riders were ok. Once we restarted it was down to a 10 lap race. Hudson was luckily able to rejoin in his original grid spot after him and the bike being checked over. I got a much better start this time and stayed in P1 for 5 laps. Wilson got the pass on me going into the right hairpin. I stayed on him the whole way with Frankie right behind us. On the penultimate lap we approached a back marker at the same hairpin and I almost got in front of Wilson. I didn’t manage to get the pass back and crossed the line in P2 with Frankie P3.

This put me down to a 27 point lead in the championship.

Best lap time 53.795

Race 1 - BMB 160/50 Cup

I went into the race with a 44 point lead in the championship.

14 laps

Started P2

Got a great start off the line and pushed on in the first few laps to get a gap with Frankie in P2. We carried a good pace throughout.

I got caught up with some back markers which held me up a bit but I managed to navigate my way through and started pulling a slight gap again.

Crossed the line in P1, Frankie P2 and Travis P3

Well done lads

Unfortunately my mate Arnie had a mechanical. This put me up to a 69 point lead in the championship.

Best lap time 53.701

Race 2 - FIM MiniGP 160

14 Laps

Started P2

I got a good launch off the line and into P1 in front of Frankie with Wilson close behind. I had battles with Frankie and Wilson throughout the race. Wilson got passed Frankie when he ran wide then got by me into the top corner and I then ran wide coming out of it allowing Frankie passed too putting me back into P3. When Frankie made a pass on Wilson I managed to get by again. Frankie was a bit wide on the corner into double right before the chicane and I saw a gap so made the move, it was bit tight and there was contact which pushed Frankie wide letting Wilson through aswell (sorry Frankie). I stayed in P1 from there with Wilson right on my tail (we were side by side at some points on the last lap) I held the lead and finished P1, Wilson P2 and Frankie P3

This put me back up to a 32 point lead in the championship.

Best lap time 53.465

Race 2 - BMB 160/50 Cup

14 Laps

Started P2

Got a fantastic start off the line and into the lead. Gutted for my mate Arnie who had another mechanical a few laps in (just wasn’t his weekend) This meant that I just needed to finish the race to win the championship although I wasn’t aware at that point so I carried on pushing for a win. Travis made a move on me after the hairpin and got the lead.

By the end I felt the back end sliding as my tyres were done. Happy with a P2 finish and over the moon with the Championship win.

Best Lap time 53.422

Sunday

Format was Warm Up, Race 1, Race 2

Race 1 - FIM MiniGP 160

14 laps

Started P1

Got a great start getting the hole shot and stayed P1 with Hudson P2 and Frankie P3. Started to pull away as there was a battle between P2, P3 and P4 which allowed me to get a bit of a gap. Stayed on pace and consistent throughout the race holding P1 to the finish line, 4.3 seconds ahead of P2 and a PB on my lap time of 53.072. This race win secured me the Championship win with a 41 point lead and a spot at the World Finals in Valencia along with Wilson! Well done Wilson! Also well done to Frankie and Hudson for some great battles and racing throughout the season.

Finished P1, Frankie P2 and Wilson P3

Best lap time 53.072 which was a PB for me

Race 1 - BMB 160/50 Cup

I only just realised before going out in this race that I had actually won the championship the day before so I decided to go out and enjoy it with my newly stickered up #1 helmet! I went out for the race with a 89 point lead.

14 Laps

Started P3

Not a great a start, stayed in P3 behind Hudson P2 and Frankie P1. Managed to pass Hudson up the inside into the top corner. Soon had Travis on my tail. I took it easy throughout and dropped into P3. Stayed there for the remainder of the race. Unfortunately Frankie had a mechanical so pulled in which put me back up to P2.

Finished P2, Travis P1 and Brad P3

Best lap time 53.588

Race 2 (both classes)

As it had been confirmed I’d won both championships, I decided not to risk anything and just let the others battle it out for the podiums

Overall an absolutely amazing weekend. The season has been full of ups and downs but I’ve ended it on a high! Now time to get focussed on training for the World Finals in November.

Thank you to everyone that supports me and a special thanks to all of my sponsors:

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