Mike was delighted with the return to form of his driver Milan Mach. Unfortunately Mikes last race meeting clashed with Milans Super 1 round, so with a different mechanic, Milan struggled to get to grips with the kart at Buckmore Park. In the end his throttle cable snapped to cap a frustrating weekend for him.
Back with Mike,his luck was in, Despite having a DNF in his third heat, he ploughed his way through from mid-field to a moral boosting win. Mike said 'It's the best I have seen Milan drive and it's nice to be back working together. I look forward to helping him again next week at PFI where we hope to build on Milans renewed confidence.'
With Mikes next race being August 2nd at Mallory Park, he has the next few weeks to focus on getting Milans karts prepared for the next Super 1 round, which is the 11/12 July Larkhall in Scotland.
Milan currently sits 11th in the MSA championship, which is an improvement on last year.
Monday 29 June 2009
Thursday 25 June 2009
MIKE IN THE MELTON TIMES
Mike Comber steps up with first pole position at Brands Hatch
Mike Comber back in his successful karting days
Published Date: 24 June 2009
WEDNESDAY, 4.30pm: Former national kart champion Mike Comber claimed his first pole of the season at Brands Hatch on Saturday.
Published Date: 24 June 2009
WEDNESDAY, 4.30pm: Former national kart champion Mike Comber claimed his first pole of the season at Brands Hatch on Saturday.
Comber (18), of Thrussington, has switched to car racing this year and in only his fourth race claimed pole in both Saturday and Sunday heats.His goal now is to be on the top step of the podium before the end of the season - once he has perfected the track set-up.
Comber, a qualified Bond Street Saab technician, prepared his Saxo car himself, with help from sponsors, the chartered surveyors Andrew Granger & Co.In 2004 and 2005 Mike won national championships in the junior class, and in 2006 was the first to win every intermediate kart title in a single season. In 2007 he had further success in the senior standings, just missing out on the prestigious Motors TV Championship.
A lack of sufficient funding prevented him from taking a single-seater Formula-Ford drive last year, so in 2009 Mike has raised a budget and joined the national 750MC Stock Hatch Championship.The signs are good. On his first visit to Brands Hatch and with no Friday practice, Mike broke the existing lap record in qualifying and in race one finished fifth after a mechanical problem lost him the lead. The following day he came third following some damage to his car, but still set the fastest lap.
Mike said: "I'm pleased with the way I am getting to grips with the car. Having raced for the past six years with rear-wheel drive karts, the front wheel drive Saxo is so different. It's like learning to drive all over again."Comber now has six weeks of testing before the next round at Mallory Park on August 2.He added: "I hope the fuel starvation problems we had this weekend will be sorted with a new tank, so next time I can take the fight right to the end of the race and aim for that win."
For more on Comber, visit www.michaelcomberracing.com
The full article contains 349 words and appears in Melton Times newspaper.
Page 1 of 1
Last Updated: 24 June 2009 9:36 AM
Source: Melton Times
Location: Melton
The full article contains 349 words and appears in Melton Times newspaper.
Page 1 of 1
Last Updated: 24 June 2009 9:36 AM
Source: Melton Times
Location: Melton
Tuesday 23 June 2009
MIKE AT WHILTON THIS WEEKEND WITH MILAN
Unfortunately Mike was racing himself when Milan had his last Super 1 round. Unfortunately he missed that final with a broked throttle cable, so hopefully Mikes return at his race engineer will give him better luck. Milan had hoped to win at Buckmore, so a quick return to the podium at Whilton should lift his moral.
Mike appreciates a break from the stress of Brands Hatch last weekend, despite his success.
Mike appreciates a break from the stress of Brands Hatch last weekend, despite his success.
Monday 22 June 2009
BRANDS HATCH JUNE 2009 - 2 POLE POSITIONS
Mike can take great pride from his two performances this weekend despite not coming away with two wins. Firstly he managed to break the old lap record within his 10 laps of qualifying, having never practice there before. Then as a result of those times he was in pole for both the heats on Saturday and Sunday.
In the Saturday heat, Mike was third off the line and into Paddock bend, before making second at the hairpin and then after a further lap, took first. Unfortunately the race was red flagged, so Mike sat tensely in pole for 10 minutes while car 55 was cleared away. On the re-start, Mike grabbed second from a quick 106 driven by Dan Summers. The lead was taken by Mike more than once, but on the last two laps he suffered from fuel starvation. The extra delay with the red flag had caused the level to drop too low for the pick up. Mike was frustrated with the 5th place, but realised that such mechanical problems can be overcome with a swirl pot. For a few laps Mike held the new lap record, but was unable to participate in the later race. Parts 1 & 2.
On Sunday with the car brimmed, Mike was confident of a win. In the end, Mike and Dan tangled on the entry to the Paddock straight, which allowed the eventual winner to catch them both. Mike regained the lead, but was tapped from behind on entering paddock bend, causing him to travel 200 yds at 100mph sideways, but catching it to the applause of the crowd and retaining 3rd place by the end. Unfortunately the impact broke a fuel return line, so once again, Mike couldn't take part in the final race.
On this form, with a new fuel line and tank, Mike should do well at Mallory Park in six weeks time. Between now and then he needs to get the bodywork sorted and some testing in.
In the Saturday heat, Mike was third off the line and into Paddock bend, before making second at the hairpin and then after a further lap, took first. Unfortunately the race was red flagged, so Mike sat tensely in pole for 10 minutes while car 55 was cleared away. On the re-start, Mike grabbed second from a quick 106 driven by Dan Summers. The lead was taken by Mike more than once, but on the last two laps he suffered from fuel starvation. The extra delay with the red flag had caused the level to drop too low for the pick up. Mike was frustrated with the 5th place, but realised that such mechanical problems can be overcome with a swirl pot. For a few laps Mike held the new lap record, but was unable to participate in the later race. Parts 1 & 2.
On Sunday with the car brimmed, Mike was confident of a win. In the end, Mike and Dan tangled on the entry to the Paddock straight, which allowed the eventual winner to catch them both. Mike regained the lead, but was tapped from behind on entering paddock bend, causing him to travel 200 yds at 100mph sideways, but catching it to the applause of the crowd and retaining 3rd place by the end. Unfortunately the impact broke a fuel return line, so once again, Mike couldn't take part in the final race.
On this form, with a new fuel line and tank, Mike should do well at Mallory Park in six weeks time. Between now and then he needs to get the bodywork sorted and some testing in.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
GOOD FUN AT THE CARNIVAL
A tough day helping our sponsors!
Thanks to our sponsor Andrew Granger (left) for a fun day.
Car on the back of the Grangers float as we collected money for charity.
Tough job for the driver surrounded by pretty girls all day!
The car being looked after for once. WHAT a day it was!
Harborough Carnival on Saturday (June 13) has been hailed as one of the best ever by organisers.An overcast day turned to glorious sunshine just in time for the colourful float parade through town.Hundreds lined the streets to watch the procession and thousands were estimated to have passed through the gates of the Carnival showground at Symington's Recreation Ground off St Mary's Road.
Harborough Carnival on Saturday (June 13) has been hailed as one of the best ever by organisers.An overcast day turned to glorious sunshine just in time for the colourful float parade through town.Hundreds lined the streets to watch the procession and thousands were estimated to have passed through the gates of the Carnival showground at Symington's Recreation Ground off St Mary's Road.
Wednesday 10 June 2009
MARKET HARBOROUGH CARNIVAL 13TH JUNE
PREPARATIONS are hotting up for this year's Harborough Carnival on Saturday, June 13. Mike will be on the Andrew Granger & Co float todether with his SAXO VTR STOCK HATCH.
The event is one of the biggest in the town's calendar and brings together the whole community for a day of fun.About 10,000 people are thought to have watched the parade of floats in the town centre last year, and an estimated 6,000 people then flocked to the showground at Symington's Rec, off St Mary's Road, where they enjoyed stalls, rides, games and entertainment.Organisers hope this year's event, which raises thousands of pounds for good causes and charities in Harborough and the surrounding area, will be just as successful.Groups who would like to perform in the arena on carnival afternoon are urged to get in touch now so the schedule of entertainment can be drawn up.Charities and other good causes are also encouraged to get in touch now if they would like to have a stall on the showground.Fill in the coupon in this week's Mail and return it to the Carnival Committee chairman, John Bush, at The Crest, East Farndon, Market Harborough LE16 9SJ or email your application to mhcarnival@aol.com.
The event is one of the biggest in the town's calendar and brings together the whole community for a day of fun.About 10,000 people are thought to have watched the parade of floats in the town centre last year, and an estimated 6,000 people then flocked to the showground at Symington's Rec, off St Mary's Road, where they enjoyed stalls, rides, games and entertainment.Organisers hope this year's event, which raises thousands of pounds for good causes and charities in Harborough and the surrounding area, will be just as successful.Groups who would like to perform in the arena on carnival afternoon are urged to get in touch now so the schedule of entertainment can be drawn up.Charities and other good causes are also encouraged to get in touch now if they would like to have a stall on the showground.Fill in the coupon in this week's Mail and return it to the Carnival Committee chairman, John Bush, at The Crest, East Farndon, Market Harborough LE16 9SJ or email your application to mhcarnival@aol.com.
Monday 8 June 2009
BRANDS APPLICATION GONE IN.
Mike is at the Market Harborough Carnival next weekend with the car as it is, we hope that a simple door swap will get Mike back racing in two weeks as he has no time for more serious repairs. Brands is a track that Mike has tested at before, three years ago, back in the SAXMAX days. Mike managed a lap of a minute back then, so that will be the bench mark for the next weekend of racing.
History of Brands Hatch
There has been a race track at Brands since 1926, when the land was first used for grass track bike racing. In those days, competitors ran anti-clockwise, but the direction of the circuit was switched in 1954.
The heritage of Brands is vast – name any famous driver from the last 50 years or so and they are bound to have cut their teeth racing there. Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Barry Sheene, Jack Brabham, Derek Minter, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ayrton Senna and current F1 star Jenson Button are among the countless drivers to have raced and won at Brands over the years.
In 1983, MotorSport Vision Chief-Executive Jonathan Palmer made his Formula One debut at the Kent circuit with a Williams FW08C. Two years later, Nigel Mansell scored his first Grand Prix victory there, also winning the final F1 race at Brands in 1986.
Since then, the cream of world motor racing has appeared at Brands Hatch, and the World Superbike Championship has become an annual pilgrimage for bike fans all over the globe. The circuit’s unique combination of dips, cambers, fearsome corners and hills means it is still one of the world's favourite racing circuits, and with great racing and constant development from MSV continues to go from strength to strength.
History of Brands Hatch
There has been a race track at Brands since 1926, when the land was first used for grass track bike racing. In those days, competitors ran anti-clockwise, but the direction of the circuit was switched in 1954.
The heritage of Brands is vast – name any famous driver from the last 50 years or so and they are bound to have cut their teeth racing there. Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Barry Sheene, Jack Brabham, Derek Minter, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ayrton Senna and current F1 star Jenson Button are among the countless drivers to have raced and won at Brands over the years.
In 1983, MotorSport Vision Chief-Executive Jonathan Palmer made his Formula One debut at the Kent circuit with a Williams FW08C. Two years later, Nigel Mansell scored his first Grand Prix victory there, also winning the final F1 race at Brands in 1986.
Since then, the cream of world motor racing has appeared at Brands Hatch, and the World Superbike Championship has become an annual pilgrimage for bike fans all over the globe. The circuit’s unique combination of dips, cambers, fearsome corners and hills means it is still one of the world's favourite racing circuits, and with great racing and constant development from MSV continues to go from strength to strength.
ANGLESEY SUCCESS AS MIKE MAKES BOTH FINALS
Despite the terrible weather conditions on Saturday and the fact that Mike had never visited the circuit before or driven the car in the wet, with no practice Mike managed a decent couple of grid positions in the heats.
On Saturday, Mike moved up through the pack to take 12th place from 20th. On the final Mike drove well from the back and ended up mid-pack. On Sunday, Mike was towards the rear of the heat, but 'fought' through to another 12th place. Unfortunately the conditions were still slippery, and a car Mike had just overtaken decided to find a non-existent line inside Mike, and t-boned his passenger door. Mike continued for a lap, but then the impact must have dislodged a brake pad so Mike lost those and following some 'autograssing' rejoined down the pact and without any rear brakes he recovered his 12th slot.
With the pad lost and no spares or shop at the circuit, Mike decided to sit out the final for safety reasons. We thought about putting all the braking load to the front, but didn't want to risk it in such slippery conditions. Had we a spare pad, we still couldn't have fitted it as we later discovered that the retaining clips had gone. We need to find a fix for this as this happened in testing at Mallory and we put it down to a problem with the axle. That has since been changed, so we perhaps need to wire them in place.
Some valuable points lost, but lots of experience gained for 2010.
On Saturday, Mike moved up through the pack to take 12th place from 20th. On the final Mike drove well from the back and ended up mid-pack. On Sunday, Mike was towards the rear of the heat, but 'fought' through to another 12th place. Unfortunately the conditions were still slippery, and a car Mike had just overtaken decided to find a non-existent line inside Mike, and t-boned his passenger door. Mike continued for a lap, but then the impact must have dislodged a brake pad so Mike lost those and following some 'autograssing' rejoined down the pact and without any rear brakes he recovered his 12th slot.
With the pad lost and no spares or shop at the circuit, Mike decided to sit out the final for safety reasons. We thought about putting all the braking load to the front, but didn't want to risk it in such slippery conditions. Had we a spare pad, we still couldn't have fitted it as we later discovered that the retaining clips had gone. We need to find a fix for this as this happened in testing at Mallory and we put it down to a problem with the axle. That has since been changed, so we perhaps need to wire them in place.
Some valuable points lost, but lots of experience gained for 2010.
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