25/2/08
Look's like we shall be opening this page again with the latest addition from the Shinn family, Conner who will be racing a Junior rod soon.
Season 2004
What next you ask after the close of Alwalton Raceway it was decided to sell the Mini & all the spares that went with it , but now after some time wasters Mark has now decided to race the car at the Rolling Thunder Show at Arena Essex but he is not expected to do all of the meetings. After going to have a look at the show's first meeting Mark is to attend the April 10th Easter meeting so the car needs to be got ready for that date. We will bring you the results as soon as we can. The first meeting @ RTS went better than expected with some very close racing by all, with a near win in the second race. Marks second race meeting on 8th May would prove to be a little harder with even more cars turning up for this very popular formula even managing to have a lucky win the the second heat & a little more damage than wanted (contact after the race had finished) . Over the next couple for meeting Mark has had mixed results. On August 22nd saw Mark swap the junior for a stock rod for a one time only drive this year as a taster @ Blyton Raceway (see results) before taking up this formula full time next season. Back in the junior rod for September 11th the first race being the best race of the day, once again contact seems to be getting a bit of a problem or is it just over enthusiasm form these younger drivers. The mini now now showing a lot more of the battle damage these days with two heavy crashes almost writing off the car this year. This now will be last entry for the junior rod class Mark has enjoyed himself this year at the Rolling Thunder. The mini is now up for sale including all the spares which is too many to list. We would like to thank Williams Minis for their help & sponsorship over the last 3 years.
Heat 2 win 8thMay Practice session
Season review2003
Time to rebuild the 2001 car a whole new front including inner wings & sub frame. This season didn't didn't start too well for him having to miss the start of the season having to have an operation on his hip at the end of last year taking nearly 3 months to get over then a further 6 weeks after braking his ankle (just a day after coming off the crutches) so more time off Mark was certainly getting itchy feet to get racing again.
Car
signed by J Field
Missing the first part of the season Mark was now rearing to go, May bank holiday speed weekend was his first meeting back in the hot seat. Starting from Blue grade Mark took a 1st, 2nd, 3rd on the Saturday meeting with Sunday proving just as good taking 2nd in the East of England championship with 7th for the British championship with a large field of cars. Over the season Marks driving would improve even more & more, it was a shame he hadn't started at the start of the season but that was just his luck! Scoring over 70 points in the meetings that he raced in was very impressive & could have only have bin more if he had started at the start of the season, certainly would have been up with the top boys. At the annual dinner dance Mark had a big surprise in the presentation collecting Best kept Junior Rod.
Season review2002
From this - to this 
During the off season the replacement car went through some major panel beating & a repaint from the rebel mc & signed for the start of the 2002 season by Gary Martin. This season proved a lot better than the season before proving if you had faith in your car that you certainly drive better & he did, getting a few wins under his belt certainly boosts the confidence. He soon found himself going from the front of the grid making red grade This proved to be his highest grade all year. East of England & the British champion ship weekend proved to be eventful claiming a creditable 6th place in the E of E & a trip to the hospital for the British with a good case of whiplash, after begin used as brake spinning him around flatting the rear of the car (the other drive later admitted it was better to hit mark than hit the marker tyres) The rest of the season went reasonably well with all of the usual luck good & bad. To his credit Mark getting in the top six at the end of the season finishing a creditable 5th in the final championships & just missing out in the heats. But on the bad side getting the car written off on the last meeting after trying to go around the outside of someone getting clipped as he went around the car spinning him around then everyone pilling in front & rear of the car with both sub frames begin squashed.
Season review2001
This car is driven By 12yr old Mark
Shinn Jnr who is in his first season of racing never driven before until practice
day on 11th march 2001 with 20 minutes
of coaching he went out for the very first
time, Clattering the Armco a few times but not bad for a first timer. The
following week lined up at the rear of the field with the rest of the novices
out of harms way but with 20 + cars & some very fast drivers out there the
crashes are always on the cards. If points were handed out for keeping dad busy
with repairs, Marks could be almost be tops. Not all of the races have always
ended in crashing with the ones he has finished he has done well (not in the
points). And not Always last! Its a shame that the top boys in this class don't
just give a little bit more room for the novices when trying to pass, I might say
though that by the end of the first season he
will have some experience & who knows maybe he might even get himself into a
points position (we can always live in hope).
Marks 1st car
By the time he got 3/4 of the season the front & back end had certainly seen damage, Mark was certainly getting quicker by the meeting For the last two meetings Mark went out in new car that was bought for him certainly made a difference even managed a win on the last meeting of the season & more damage.
side damage 1st ever win