The British Mini Club is very happy to help sponsor and promote www.BigMacRacing.co.uk, 29 year old racing driver Kieren McDonald, from Aylesbury.  Kieren only started competitively racing in 2011 and has already shown the pace for the top 10 out of a consistently strong grid in the Dunlop Mini Se7en Challenge.

The Mini7 racing club – www.mini7.co.uk/about_us.html – runs the longest running single-make championship in the UK - 46 years and counting!  Even during the recession, the Mini7 racing club is still serving large grids of up to 25 cars; a testament to the lower budget, action packed racing club.  The club runs 2 series – the Mini Se7en and Mini Miglia.  The races are tightly regulated to avoid costs spiralling and to keep close racing – always an exciting event for marshals and spectators alike.  The club has been known for churning out the likes of Nick Tandy (2011 German Carrera Cup Champion).

Kieren competes in the Dunlop Mini Se7en Challenge and in 2011 managed to finish 2^nd in the Mini Se7en Novice Championship and 13^th overall in the Mini Se7en Championship.  2011 was indeed challenging with being new to racing, lack of circuit knowledge and many reliability issues to overcome; a top 10 race finish and overall 13^th position in the championship was therefore a very credible achievement.

Kieren is competing in the 2012 championship, which kicked off for Round 1 at Oulton Park 24^th March.  Show your support and keep up to date by clicking “Like” for BigMacRacing’s Facebook page and “Follow” on Twitter.  All race reports are provided on www.BigMacRacing.co.uk with on-board video footage at www.youtube.com/BigMacRacing.

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Q: What is your racing experience?
A: No competitive racing experience prior to 2011 Mini Se7en season and never driven a classic mini before. I had done some karting for fun at Daytona Milton Keynes and Rogue Racing Aylesbury. I also competed in a Clio Cup scholarship run by Double Six Racing (RaceStar), where I managed to reach the semi-finals. The scholarship was aimed at novices although many of the others had raced in some form of motorsport for many years, e.g. karting, and therefore race craft had been built in some way or another. This is when I decided that I needed to enter some form of championship to gain the experience and learn.

Q: Why choose to race in the Mini7 Racing Club?
A: I considered all sorts including club100 karting, Caterham Academy, Elise Trophy, 750 MC Stock Hatch, Mighty Minis and Mini7 Racing Club.  I decided upon the Mini7 club due to budget, close racing, well turned out cars, good standards, competitive, large grids, social scene, and unlimited help from others. Race weekends are fantastic – we’ve gained many good friends, everyone’s so welcoming, and helping out (knowledge, parts and tools!); the BBQ & beers in the paddock are worth the weekend away alone! You don’t get this whole package with a lot of other championships so it certainly eases some pressures.

Q: What was your highlight and lowlight of the 2011 season?
A: High – Aside from jumping into the car for the 1^st time and revving it between 6000 and 8500 rpm!!! I am split – my best lap time, of less than a second off the winner, on 1^st outing of a slippery Brands Hatch. Also my 1^st top 10 race finish at Thruxton after starting from the back with a grid time penalty. Low – this has got to be when my engine blew on the 1^st corner of qualifying on 1^st Round of championship at Silverstone.

Q: Where can we find more information about the championship and the race calendar?
A: All information can be found at www.Mini7.co.uk and www.BigMacRacing.co.uk

Q: What are your targets for the 2012 season?
A: To improve reliability, continue learning circuits & improve driving style/feel for car, consistently finish races in the top 10 and achieve top 10 in the overall Mini Se7en Championship.

Q: What rounds are you most eagerly anticipating in the 2012 season?
A: Oulton Park as everybody rates this highly. Donington and Brands as these were my favourite circuits of 2011 plus the Mini Festival looks to be a fantastic line-up. Castle Combe as this will be televised live on Motors TV! Fantastic opportunities for sponsors!

Q: On the subject of sponsors, what is your current sponsorship situation?
A: As a race team we need to be able to offer value and understand it is very difficult for companies to justify this form of marketing-especially in this economic climate.  I am very pleased to have the support from the British Mini Club this year and hope we can help each other raise further awareness.  I am very grateful for the continued support from Classic and Custom Works who do a great job with any spraying & bodywork repairs-Rob is a great guy to deal with so anyone requiring a quote should certainly get in touch!

Q: Are you looking for new sponsors?
A: Most certainly - I feel we have a lot to offer potential sponsors. Working in my profession (IT Consultant), I understand the value in maximising the audience/prospects via the interactive, social media channels – blogging, videos, pictures, Facebook and Twitter.  I am receiving excellent feedback and consistent viewing figures from my efforts over these channels, which would benefit sponsors – marketing to a captive audience, specific to the sector is always advantageous. I have further plans to take this further too. Flexible packages are available to raise sponsor awareness via the race car, race support vehicle, race kit, website, Twitter & Facebook, TV (MotorsTV at Castle Combe).  Companies would be surprised how little they need to spend for the many benefits we offer and of course sponsorship brings tax benefits! Please do get in touch if interested – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or via Facebook (BigMacRacing) or Twitter (@BigMacRacing).