Fakenham driver claims maiden win for Norfolk MINI Racing team in Mini Challenge

Fakenham driver Andrew Langley revealed that everything was a bit of ‘blur’ after securing his maiden win of the 2020 Quaife MINI Challenge Cooper Class campaign

The Norfolk MINI Racing team representative pulled off a breathtaking move on the final lap on the Hampshire circuit of Thruxton, crossing the line three abreast during a dramatic final race on Sunday.

A delighted Langley, who came out of semi-retirement two years ago, said: “I’m not sure I can remember everything, it’s all a bit of a blur,” he said ecstatic at the result.

“I was sitting waiting patiently to see how it all panned out. I knew I was in the front group, when an opportunity came up towards the end and I outbraked the guys around the outside.

“I was in the wrong gear unfortunately and couldn’t carry the drive onto the straight, still just crossing the line before anyone else before the red flag.

“It was a bit of a lottery where you finished as the slipstream effect was so strong and there was lots of contact with generally five or six cars fighting for the same piece of tarmac.”

The triumph in his Union Jack-clad car saw him become the first Director Cup driver to take victory in a race race that was counted back a lap due to a late red flag.

Following a restarted final race, both Langley and Kasperczak joined the battle up front with Josh Porter and Alex Nevill.

Langley executed the most impressive overtake of the race, gliding around the outside of four cars into Club to take the lead.

Crucially, Langley had his nose in front over the line, which proved vital when the result was counted back a lap for the red flag.

His advantage only lasted two corners with Kasperczak then Porter taking the lead into the complex.

Porter made a mistake into Club on lap eight, grazing the barrier and leaving the racing line partially blocked, bringing out the flags.

All three drivers were split by less than a tenth of a second crossing the line.

His success was made even more sweeter by the fact it was in front of the ITV Sport cameras as part of its coverage of the British Touring Car Championship.

A fine two days saw Langley clinch fifth and eighth-placed finish in the previous races of the weekend.

The Norfolk MINI Racing team also had two other representatives lining up on the 27-car grid.

Neal Clarke secured 19th, 16th and 18th spots while Adrian Norman was 17th, 22nd and 19th.

Norfolk Cars Mini Specialist supply and build the race cars, with company directors Clarke and Gary Papworth two of the drivers behind the wheel this year.

Next up for the Norfolk MINI Racing team is a short trip to their local circuit of Snetterton this weekend.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with sponsorship with the team should call 01553 600334.