Kicking off the Historic race season, the Goodwood Members Meeting is always a great spectacle for spectators and competitors alike. This year marked 10 years of the David V Goliath antics at the Members Meeting for Swiftune.

The Gordon Spice Trophy, which features an array of Group 1 Touring Cars from 1972 to 1980 including three Swiftune powered 1275GT Mini’s driven by Nick Swift, Rupert Deeth and Larry Warr. Owners were partnered up with pro drivers, sharing a qualifying session and one 45 minute race on the Saturday and then a spring race for the owners the following day.

Nick partnered with British GT racer Alex Buncombe for the weekend. A very exciting pairing, as Mini racing runs through the Buncombe blood, with dad Jonathan being a successful Mini racer back in the 60’s, racing for Richard Longman himself! The pair qualified 13th overall and first Mini, while Rupert Deeth and pro driver Matt Neal qualified in 22nd and Larry Warr partnered with Buncombe brother, Chris Buncombe were set to start 27th on the grid.

The Gordon Spice trophy race 1 took place a little later than planned and we saw a successful finish for all 1275 GT’s after some great battles with the giants. Nick and Alex Buncombe finishing in 14th, Rupert and Matt Neal 15th and Larry and Chris Buncombe in 17th

The sprint race on Sunday was reverse grid, putting Larry Warr and Rupert Deeth on the front row with Nick just behind. As the flag waved, all three Mini’s made a great start and were able to work together to lead the race.

Unfortunately on that 1st lap, Larry had a coming together with a Rover, ending his race and also resulting in red flag. Upon restart, Rupert and Nick made another great start but were soon fighting against the larger engine cars. More bad luck, Nick was soon forced to retire with a mechanical failure (later finding out it was drive shaft clip disintegrated, pulling the shaft out of the cv). Rupert did an incredible job, as the only Mini left, to finish in the top 10, crossing the line in 9th place.