Solid start to 2026

14 Mar, 2026

2026 MSV Miata Trophy

Rounds 1 & 2 – Snetterton 300

Snetterton was sunny but cold. After a tricky Friday I didn’t know what to expect, but qualifying went well and, with the help of a tow, I finished up third fastest — just 0.007 seconds off the front row.

Race one started with a pretty even getaway, but I dropped two places in the first two laps. The top five were all together and we were pulling away from the chasing pack, when at turn one, midway through the race, we all had to check up and lost momentum. This split the group and I lost out to the fast-approaching cars behind. I fought back to fourth place, but there was a gap to the cars ahead and I finished fifth on the road — fourth after penalties for other cars. It wasn’t the best, but I was pleased to be in the hunt and I think we can get some good results this year.

New rules for 2026 mean the top 15 qualifiers are reversed for race two — I started 12th. Unfortunately a couple of cars ahead on my side of the grid got poor starts, so I wasn’t able to move forward and actually lost places initially. As the race settled, I was able to work through the pack up to eighth, where my progress stalled as I couldn’t make a move stick for seventh. I did in the end, but it was too late and the front had pulled away, so I finished seventh on the road — sixth after penalties.

This reverse grid racing is going to be a feature all season, so I need to work on cutting through the pack and overtaking cars more quickly.

Overall it was an encouraging start to the season and I feel we have the pace to score some great results this year. Silverstone Grand Prix circuit is next up, and racing there is always a pleasure!