The 2008 autograss season has been extremely hectic for Michaela Bevans from Cosheston. The super saloon class seven driver started the defence of her British title back in early May, held at the South Wales track. Here she obtained a first, second and a non-finish in the three qualifying heats, but come final time, she stormed it and crossed the chequered flag in first place.
Round two of the British was held in June in the West Midlands, and here she came home with two heat wins and a third, as well as first in the final.
Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire was the racetrack for round three in July; here Michaela again won her final in fine style.
In August, the British Autograss Series travelled to Northern Ireland which was to host round four of the British Championships. Despite excellent local competition, which Michaela had not raced before, she came home with a maximum 231 points by winning all three heats and the final.
After this meeting, Michaela had obtained sufficient points to take the class seven British title for the second consecutive year, her fifth British title, and she is still only 20-years-old.
In June, Michaela was asked to take her WL Race Fabrication (Johnston) Mini, powered by a 1500cc Suzuki Hayabusa motorbike engine, to Powertec Engineering (Peterborough) to The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to race in the world famous Monster Jam. Only two girls have ever raced here and it was a great honour.
Michaela said it was a huge buzz driving out onto the track from under the stadium and seeing the 40,000 crowd. Here Michaela finished fifth in the grand final.
Before the show, all competitors attended a 'Pit Party' where 10,000 people were present, many, especially children, asking for her autograph, taking photographs and asking to sit in her car. It was great publicity for the sport of autograss.
At the Ladies and Juniors National Championships, Michaela had a first, second and a fifth in her qualifying heats, and had sufficient points to enter the class seven final.
At the start of the final, Michaela's engine bogged on the start line and so she was last into the first corner. By lap four she was up to second place, close on the bumper of the first car. Michaela tried everything to pass, getting alongside the first place car on several occasions, but she could not get to the front.
Sky Sports televised the meeting and the commentators stated it was the best race of the weekend. Here Michaela came runner-up at the Nationals.
Michaela's last meeting of the 2008 season will be this Sunday, November 2, at her local racetrack near Lamphey, Pembroke, starting at 11 am. This is an extra race date for the local club and is a trophy meeting for all classes and opens, plus many extra perpetual trophy races.
The class seven PAC 53 cars will then be made ready to compete in the indoor Live Action Arena at the NEC, Birmingham at the Autosport International Show, which is being held on the second weekend of January 2009 (10 and 11). Out of the 12 national class seven racers representing Autograss, Michaela is the only girl to compete, but that will make her more determined to do her best and hopefully achieve a good result.
For more information, ring 01646 686253.