Monday 17 September 2007

Leicester Mercury get the story



COMBER STARS FOR ENGLAND


10:30 - 15 September 2007


Michael Comber came away from the September international races with a damaged kart, the lap record and the Driver of the Tournament award.


In his first senior international meeting near Sunderland, the youngster dubbed Leicestershire's Lewis Hamilton twice broke the circuit lap record to help England to victory against the other home nations.


Comber, who finished third and fourth, said: "I was so proud to represent England again and make such a significant contribution."The national team manager, Martin Capenhurst, was the person who started my race career."So I am pleased that both last year, when I helped England win the junior title, and this, I have repaid him for his help."Apart from GP1 single-seaters, this is the only time I can drive for my country."So I am proud to have been in the winning team twice, and look forward to the meeting in 2008.''


In timed qualifying, Comber, who is supported by Bond Street Saab and his sponsors Andrew Granger and Co, beat the lap record of 54.4 seconds by three-tenths of a second to gain pole for the heats.In the last race Comber's axle, bumper and race suit were damaged.Comber restarted with the assistance of the track officials and completed a final lap to a standing ovation from the English supporters.


Capenhurst said: "While there were no individual trophies, I and the other selectors chose Mike Comber as team driver for his pace and skill to win two heats but also his unselfish team work to assist the team in the finals."

Melton Times Report







Comber gets the plaudits

Michael Comber came away from the September international races with a damaged kart, the lap record and the Driver of the Tournament award.


At Warden Law, near Sunderland, in his first senior international meeting, Comber, from Thrussington, twice broke the circuit lap record to help push his England team to a fine victory against the other home nations.After the races, which saw him finish third and fourth, Comber said: "I was so proud to represent England again and make such a significant contribution. "The national team manager Martin Capenhurst was the person who started my race career, so I am pleased that, both last year when I helped England win the junior title and this, I have repaid him for his previous help. "Apart from GP1 single-seaters, this is the only time I can drive for my country so I am proud to have been in the winning team twice, and look forward to the meeting in 2008."


In timed qualifying, Comber – who has been supported this season by Bond Street Saab and his sponsors Andrew Granger and Co – beat the lap record of 54.4 seconds by 3/10th of a second to gain pole for the heats. And in the first two heats he beat the existing lap record on both occasions. In the third and fourth heats, the team captain asked Comber to start further back and to work his way through bringing other team members with him. He secured second in heat three, and in heat four he made it to the front, but then was driven off the track by two of the Welsh team, who were later penalised.


By Saturday evening, England had secured the top three places for the Sunday finals. Comber started the pre-final in third and given the job of driving defensively to allow two English drivers to break away, while he held back the rest of the field for the 15 laps. This worked well, although his rear bumper needed replacing after the heat, but he had secured a maximum 1-2-3 finish ready for the final. Comber started the final race in fifth spot, with three other English drivers filling the first three positions, the aim being to grab positions 1-4. He quickly moved up into second and then was passed by two English drivers so they had the 1-4 formation. Sadly, the same two Welsh drivers set about Comber with a couple of laps left, with one driving over him, damaging his axle, bumper and race suit. Fortunately, this incident delayed the remaining drivers, so England still took all the podium slots. Comber restarted with the assistance of the track officials and completed a final lap to a standing ovation from the English supporters.


Last Updated: 13 September 2007 12:15 PM


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Monday 10 September 2007

Internations Trophy


A kind guesture by England manager Martin Capenhurst to reward Mike for his recent driving performance, was to give the cup to him for safe keeping in his trophy cabinet. As a team event the cup is normally kept by the team manager, so Mike feels honoured and will post some pictures of the trophy soon. In 2007 all his trophies have been donated to David Klaassen Motorsport, as thanks for his great support, but this one is staying at home.

Thursday 6 September 2007

Monday 3 September 2007

ENGLAND INTERNATIONS VICTORY

In a very tense battle between the Welsh team of 4 stroke TKM's the Scottish 2 strokes and the English team of 2 strokes and 4 strokes, the English team drove to victory with a combination of good tactics and skill.
Firstly the 4 stooke Karts were a second a lap faster than the 2 strokes, so it was critical to secure top places. During practice, Mike broke the lap record, and was the quickest 2 stroke driver in the field, so it was decided that he should start off in pole for the heats and try to secure a lead while the English and Welsh 4 strokes battled out the remaining places.
The first and second heats worked to plan, with Mike breaking the lap record by 3/10ths and running away to victory in the first with a 1,2,3 and in the second, he was caught by Simon Mills while Rhys Jenkins drove really well to fend off the Welsh. In the third heat, the plan almost worked again, but this time Simon led and Mike followed and set another lap record, until two Welsh drivers drove Mike off the track and down to 4th, and fortunately the Clerk saw fit to penalised 10 points to each Welsh driver, so effectively England regained thier 1-2 status and some bonus points! In the final heat the Welsh tried heavier handed tacktics, and with Mike in the lead and Simon second, they first bounce Simon off the track and then on the last lap did the same to Mike, wrecking his axle and side pod. Fortunately both Welsh drivers were penalised with 20 points, giving England a large lead.
On Sunday was the Pre-Final, and all drivers were now warned that the clerk would be very heavy on rash driving. England had a considerable lead from Saturday, but then the scores were re-set to zero, so there was all to play for. In the pre-final Mike set the pace and then defended so that we secured maximum points. In the final Mike was again a battering ram, with Simon and Rhys leading, while Mike held off the Welsh for lap after lap until they lost their control, and binned Mike again. this time the wreckless Welsh driver rode up the back of Mike breaking his rear bumper, side pod and brackets and grazed Mikes arm as he flew over him. The two 4 strokes driven by Rhys and Simon won by half a lap, while the other England drivers drove round in support to receive the acclaim of the crowd. Mike rejoined last in his battered state to a massive showing of support from all the English supporters and worthy of a victory.
In reality this was a battle between the Welsh who should have should have won on their more powerful karts against the higher skill level and strategy from Paul and Martin in the England management. As a nice guesture after the award ceremony, Martin Capenhurst the winning England team manager awarded Mike the honour of being driver of the meeting. Mike was ably assisted by Super 1 drivers ;- Luke Caudle, Will Reed and Will Waterman who also drove with great skill to over come any threat from the Scottish 2 stroke drivers. A good time was eventually had by all those who participated.