An Interview with 2013 Ministox RDC Points Champion 399 Cole Atkins
(interview published September 3 2014 in the lead up to the latest rounds of the Ministox Mildenhall Championship culminating in the ORCi Championship)

Age: 14
Home Town: Haverhill
Occupation: School
Family: Mum, dad and two brothers
Racing career: Started racing Ministox at Mildenhall on Good Friday 2012 having previously raced go-karts

You’ve had something of a mixed season in 2014 results wise, how do you feel your season has gone so far?
I’m a little disappointed with it if I’m honest, I would have liked to have done a bit better and been a bit higher in the (Mildenhall and RDC points) but it’s just been one of those things, I don’t seem to have had anything but bad luck this year.

Do you put it all down to luck or has there been any other factors?
No, I think it’s mostly been luck really. The car has been going just as well as it ever has and I feel that I’ve been driving pretty well but some things are just out of your control. It was like the last meeting (Mildenhall, August 10), I did terribly in the first couple of races but at the end I was up the front and finishing in the top three but because I’d had the bad luck at the start of the day my score wasn’t as high as it could have been, I seem to have found it hard to have three good races at a meeting this season.

Is that something you are able to improve on?
It’s hard because so much of that is down to your luck on the day. We keep trying hard and making sure the car is as good as it can be and I keep trying to drive better and learn from any mistakes but you don’t have too much control over luck, I’m just hoping I’m due some good luck soon.

This season has seen you race from the very back of the grid with a silver roof, is that something you are enjoying and is this a reason in what you feel has been a disappointing season so far?
It’s been good racing with the silver roof and something I’m really pleased to have had the opportunity to do but it has been tough. I honestly didn’t realise how tough it would be because I raced as a red top for the whole of 2013 which was something I was also really pleased about. I thought this year would be the same but it’s harder with the silver roof because you start at the very back of the grid with the red grade in front of you. Before as a red top you would sometimes start at the front of the grade and it’s surprised me the difference that has made because the red tops are the best drivers so it’s not easy getting past them before you can start chasing the rest of the cars so I think it has made a difference to me but I’ve still enjoyed being a points champion and racing with that challenge of going from the very back of the grid.

You have raced in both the National and British Championships this season finishing in the top 10 in each, each was that something which surprised you?
It has to be honest. I’d only been to Northampton once before and I did terribly so I never expected the National to be any different and so to be up there battling for the win was fantastic and it was the same at Taunton, I’d never even been to the track before so I didn’t expect to do any good at all.

Does the results in these events so far in 2014 give you any pressure for a similar result in the ORCi Championship at Mildenhall?
Not really, it would be wonderful to get another top 10 finish but I know that it’s going to be a tough race and again it will be down to your luck on the night, it could be anyone who does well because there are so many good drivers at RDC alone that are capable of winning but when you count in the other top drivers in the formula right now who I’m sure will be just as capable of challenging for the win even if they are not regulars at Mildenhall so it’s wide open.

Do you think it will be a good race?
Absolutely. The racing at Mildenhall this year has been excellent and it’s been my favourite place to race because we usually always get good car turnouts and there are so many good drivers that it makes the racing really good and exciting. Add in all the visiting drivers and everyone trying that little bit harder because it is a championship race and I think it will be brilliant, I’m really looking forward to it.

Are you pleased to see these major championship events return to the formula?
Yes I think it’s been really good so far, the racing has been excellent and it’s great to go to different tracks and race against the best drivers from all round the country. I’ve won other championship races like the Long Track Championship and Kent Championship but the races we have now are a lot more meaningful and it would mean a lot more to win one of these.

The amount of different race winners at Mildenhall is well documented but you are not one of them, is that a source of frustration to you or are you pleased with your consistency?
I’ve actually only ever won one race at Mildenhall which was back when I started (laughs). Of course it would be nice to have had some more race wins but I’m more pleased with how I’ve been doing, I think getting three second or third places at a meeting is better than having one win and not getting anywhere in the other races. Winning the (RDC) points championship in 2013 was better than having lots of wins during the year for me, it meant so much so I’m quite happy but I would love to try and win some more races if I can, but then everyone wants that (laughs).

Going back to the British Championship, what was it like being in the blackout in the middle of the title race when there was the power failure at the track?
It was very strange. The race had not long restarted after a stoppage and everyone was getting back into it and then all of a sudden it was complete darkness. Thankfully I could see the flags and so did everyone around me so we were able to stop safely but others crashed in the confusion which I think was unavoidable but it was very weird.

You are not far behind the leaders in the RDC Drivers Points Championship, do you still feel you have a chance to retain the title?
I think so. I keep telling myself that my life must change eventually and to still be in with a shout after everything that has gone wrong is good, I’m just hoping my luck gets better and maybe if those in front have a little bad luck like me I can get myself up there in the final few meetings of the year.

Have you given any consideration to your racing career after Ministox?
I want to go into Saloon Stockcars. Dad used to race them so there is the connection there but I love the cars and the racing is fantastic.

Your younger brother Harry has been racing Junior Bangers with you and practising in a Ministox ready for his debut in November, are you looking forward to having him race Ministox with you?
Yes I am and I think he will do alright, he’s been doing ok in the bangers and with the little time he’s had in the Ministox and he’s looking forward to racing Ministox later in the year so it should be good with the two of us out there and keep us even busier.

Is there anyone else you would like to thank or mention?
My dad and granddad especially for all that they do and everyone else who helps.