Michaela Bevans Biography Print E-mail

Michaela BevansOne of my dreams·s come true, I moved into the Super Saloon class Seven of Autograss Racing. My racing car is a Mini converted to rear wheel drive and powered by a single Suzuki 1300cc Hayabusa motorbike engine.  It was completely different to drive compared to my front wheel drive class Six Nova with a 2 litre 16 valve Vauxhall engine.

I raced the car only once before Round One of the British Autograss Series · where I finished in 6th place in the final. Rounds Two and Three went better, obviously with more experience, knowing how much power to put through the wheels in order to gate quickly and not do wheelies, and getting the rear end of my mini broadside on the corners.

I moved up to second place in the Championship before Round Four. It was here I obtained my first British win in Class Seven, with the second place driver only inches behind me all around the 440 yard track over the eight laps. It was a fantastic feeling to cross the chequered flag first, beating many competitors who has been in this class for a good while and who has a wealth of talent.

Moving into the Fifth and Final British Round held at Kent in September, I won my three qualifying heats and was only 12 points ahead going into the final race. Again my closest rival was on my bumper all the way round and did actually pass me on one occasion during the race, but I fought back and slipped through the inside to take my second win in the British Autograss Series. With these points, I gained my fourth British Autograss Championship Title, but the first in the Super Saloon Class Seven.

My Dad and the rest of my family were so pleased, because many of the other competitors in my class actually has twin motorbike engines, therefore giving them a tremendous lot more power than me.

Next year, if I were successful with sponsorship, my aim would be to bore out my standard 1300cc Hayabusa engine to either 1350cc or even 1500cc, which would enable me to have the massive amount of power at the freedom of the right pedal of 300BHP!!!

At the Ladies National Autograss Championships I had some bad luck. I was top points scorer going into the final after the three qualifying heats and hit the first corner ahead of the pack, but as my rear end of my mini drifted out, I was caught by another competitor who damaged my wheel bearing, therefore preventing me from continuing.

But at the age of 19, I feel I have achieved a great deal.
British Junior Champion (being the only girl ever to have won this, in its 25 year
history)
Three National Autograss Championship Titles
Four British Autograss Titles

Maybe, in the next few years, I would like to move into rally-cross or rallying and show what girls can do in Motorsport. Obviously this would depend on support and sponsorship I would be able to obtain. At the same time, I would never forget where my Motorsport roots came from.

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