James Blyth ~ Mini Challenge 2007

Brands Hatch Finale

It was a double top ten finish for James in the grand finale of the 2007 Mini Challenge.

Setting off in fine form James surprised even himself when he posted the fastest time in practice on a track which is always fun to drive.

Qualifying in 12th, James really pushed in Race One in a great battle to finish 9th in the sprint race despite lacking front end grip.  The second race of the weekend was the longer race and it was set to challenge all James' talents.  An ABS failure shortly into the race meant James raced for half an hour with the anti-brake system, something you definitely want at Brands Hatch!  Despite this he was still battling and lifted the car to 8th spot.

The chequered flag dropped on the Mini Challenge in what has been an exciting season which sees James finish as second highest novice in his debut year. Well done James!

Tune In!

Television Coverage

Date	Time	Programme	Channel
06th October	20.00	Festival Highlights	Sky Sports Xtra
06th October	03:30	Festival Highlights	Sky Sports 3
06th October	10:00	Festival Highlights	Sky Sports Xtra
06th October	14.30	Festival Highlights	Sky Sports Xtra
06th October	17.00	Festival Highlights	Sky Sports Xtra
06th October	22.00	Festival Highlights	Sky Sports Xtra
24 October	18:30	MINI Challenge	Motors TV
25th October	01:30	MINI Challenge	Motors TV
26th October	13:30	MINI Challenge	Motors TV
30th October	12:00	MINI Challenge	Motors TV

Brands Hatch Finale

It's hard to believe but this weekend is the Mini Challenge finale and it takes place at Brands Hatch.

Just short of 1.2miles in length, a lap of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit can be hair raising as the cars sweep into fast and undulating corners and famous bends such as Paddock Hill.

As the Indy circuit is being used and it is situated in a natural amphitheatre bowl, you can view much of the circuit from one position (click circuit diagram to enlarge).  As aforementioned Paddock Hill Bend at the end of the pit straight always throws up action and overtaking.  Clark Curve also has good spectator banks.

This Dunlop Great & British Festival meeting will also be a celebration of the hot hatch, where owners of any sporting hatch from any marque, old and new, are invited to the party on 7th October at Brands Hatch. For the first 100 "hot hatch" cars through the gates drivers and passengers will be given a rare opportunity of driving their car on the spectacular circuit in a special parade lap at lunchtime on Sunday.

In addition, during the lunch break on Sunday spectators will be given the chance to get closer to the action and stroll round the pit lane to see MINI Challenge cars and meet the drivers.

Tickets:

(on the gate)

Adults £12

accompanied children under 12 FREE

Mini Challenge Timetable
Saturday 6th October

10.50 Practice
15.35 Qualifying

Sunday 7th October

11.50 Race 1
13.45 Pitlane walkabout
16.40 Race 2

Brands Hatch Location

Brands Hatch is situated on the A20 near West Kingsdown. Just 3 miles from junction 3 (Swanley) of the M25, it is linked via the A20 to the M20 and M25/26 motorways.

Regular services to Swanley station operate from London Victoria.

BLYTH IN THE VALLEYS

Norwich’s James Blyth Competes in Mini Challenge Triple Race In Wales

James Blyth (Norwich) travelled to Wales for the latest rounds of the 2007 Mini Challenge which took place at Pembrey. The weekend saw three races take place so it was a packed timetable for the Norwich teenager.

Having never raced at Pembrey before James’ first task was to learn track which is notoriously tricky, then it was straight into qualifying. Though a new track was challenging enough the weather decided to throw another spanner into the works with on and off wet weather. For the qualifying session the track was wet in some sections but drying in others making tyre choice an uneasy task. James and his crew chose wet tyres but as the session started the weather lifted and a dry line quickly formed meaning the tyre gamble had not paid off and James found himself mid pack for the starts in 15th.

The races were to be equally beholden to the weather with two wet races and one dry adding to drama of a packed Mini Challenge grid on the small and tight circuit. However, James battled on for three finishes in 13th, 12th and 9th.

James’ final race of the year takes place on 6th-7th October at Brands Hatch.

James+Blyth, Mini+Challenge, motorsport, motor+racing, Pembrey

Heading For The Valleys - Pembrey

22nd-23rd September sees the Mini Challenge make a visit to Wales when Pembrey plays host to rounds 14,15 and 16.

Whilst the circuit is remotely located in South Wales, it is still a fine circuit.  Resurfaced in 2006 the track is owned by the BARC and is continually being updated.  For those motorsports fans in Wales it is a gem and offers excellent racing for the visiting series.

If you are in the area or fancy an adventure it is worth adding Pembrey to your motorsport experience. The Circuit is marked by the Blue racing car symbol near the centre of the map below, just south of Kidwelly. Pembrey Circuit is ten miles from Junction 48 of the M4 Motorway. Follow the brown Chequered Flag signs

The 1.456 miles long, crescent shaped track offers long fast straights on the back and tricky, flowing bends on the inner side (click diagram to enlarge). Whilst there are no grandstands there are ample embankments for spectators to spot the action from, and being a compact circuit and the Mini Challenge being a full grid there should be no shortage of action! Hatchet's Hairpin and the Esses should be on your viewing spots.

If visiting, do be aware the paddock can only be accessed between races due the crossing point being on the track!

Tickets:

Adults £12
Accompanied hildren under 14 FREE

Mini Challenge Timetable (correct at time of press)

Saturday 22nd September
09.00-09.15 Practice
12.40-12.55 Qualifying
17.15 Race 1

Sunday 23rd September
13.50 Race 2
16.40 Race 3

James+Blyth, Mini, Mini+Challenge, Motor+Sport, motor+racing, motorsport, Pembrey

CURSED CROFT FOR BLYTH

Norwich’s James Blyth Is Cursed With Bad Luck In the Latest Mini Challenge Round

James Blyth (Norwich) had to endure a weekend of frustration at the latest round of the Mini Challenge held at Croft in North Yorkshire.

Changes made to the car during Friday’s testing sessions looked very hopeful and it was hoped a shocker change would improve an on going handling problem. However as Saturday’s qualifying got on the way the problem arose again forcing James to record just one qualifying lap putting him 15th on the grid for Race One. However, without a second qualifying lap recorded he would be forced to start Race Two from the rear of the grid, behind all his fellow S Class competitors and the lower Club Class cars – 29 cars would lay ahead!

In Race One James put in a strong battle in the short race to make up five places and score a 10th place finish. And although Race Two saw him at the back of the grid, with it being the longer of the weekend’s double header event, it was hoped James would scythe his way through the pack.

With a strong start, in a lap he had pipped off the Club Class cars when disaster struck as the nightmare weekend continued! On lap 2 a gear box failure forced James to retire.

James tried to remain philosophical afterwards and took to the pitwall to watch his rivals slug it out. “It was a case of a weekend where if it could go wrong it would!” said James. “Sometimes not racing is the biggest test in motor racing but I suppose at least we came away with no damage! We will be in full fighting force next time out.”

The next race is on 22nd-23rd September at the Welsh circuit of Pembrey. James hope to be able to fit in a testing session in the meantime which will hopefully exorcise the gremlins that are currently blighting an otherwise strong season which sees James as a lead Novice and S Class racer.

James Blyth Mini Challenge Mini motor racing motorsports croft circuit croft Mini S Class

Oop North! Croft!

The Mini Challenge heads to it most northerly track of the season - Croft in North Yorkshire.

The circuit (click map to enlarge) has some fast and long straights for the cars to stretch their legs but some deceptively technical corners also, making it a more challenging track than first appearences may suggest.

From a spectators point of view, Croft offers some excellent viewing sections especially from the grass banking which runs from Sunny to the S Bend into the Hairpin.  A grandstand also offers wide ranging views from Hawthorn Bend.

The circuit has had a great deal of investment in recent years which shows in the paddock complex. Whilst there is no permanent restaurant there are food stalls at Clervaux but given the lovely countryside setting and ample grass viewing verges it's a great circuit for a family picnic.

Croft circuit is located just outside Croft Village near to Darlington.  For full directions visit the Croft website.

Tickets are £10 each day with accompanied children under 15 FREE. But don't forget you can download a 2 for 1 here

DIFFICULT DONINGTON FOR BLYTH

Norwich’s James Blyth Battles In The Latest Round Of The Mini Challenge

The latest rounds of the Mini Challenge proved to be just that, a challenge for Norwich racing driver James Blyth though through the battles he was still able to come away from the Donington event in the lead of the Novice Class Championship and second in the S Class Championship.

After a successful testing on Friday and strong practice times James was feeling confident though a problem with front end grip was causing an underlying problem. Qualifying in 14th position was well down the grid on his usual performance as the grip problem was emphasised on Donington’s fast, sweeping and undulating track.

In the first race, the shorter sprint race of the day’s double header, the action was tight into the first corner and James’ Advent Motorsport prepared S Class Mini showed a number of scars after the race! As James raced up to the top ten for the finish it seemed a reasonably good outcome given the circumstances only for misfortune to fall on him after the chequered flag fell when he was informed he was excluded from the final results. In the melee and with exuberance, James had unwittingly overtaken a competitor when a yellow flag, which signals no overtaking allowed, was waved.

esWith the second race being the longer 30 minute race, James was hoping the longer time would allow him to scythe through the field up from his 14th starting point. Again, in blistering sunshine, the packed grid got off to a fast and furious start. But, shortly into the race two large accidents caused the safety car to be deployed and effectively shortened the race. Most importantly the drivers of the stricken cars were okay after their large shunts but the race was reduced to a four lap dash as the clock counted down. Despite the shortened race James finished in 11th just shy of the top ten.

"That’s been a really tough weekend" said James afterwards who’ll be hoping for better fortune in three weeks time when the Championship moves to Croft in North Yorkshire for the 12th and 13th rounds

James+Blyth, Mini+Challenge, Mini, Mini+S+Class, motorsport, motor+racing, Donington, Donington+Park

Heading For Donington Park

Set in a natural amphitheatre, Donington Park is a fantastic circuit for drivers and spectators alike. This weekend's race takes place on the National circuit (click map to enlarge).

Off the startline and it is straight into the tight squeeze of Redgate where many a drive ends before it has started! The downhill sweeping Craner Curves are enough to make the toughest stomach lurch before arriving at the Old Hairpin (which isn't a hair pin!).

Then it's back uphill under Starkey's Bridge, another squeeze around McLeans and onto Coppice. The Dunlop straight is where the drivers really put their foot down to get the best into Goddards Chicane (grey join above) and back onto the pit straight to do it all again!

For spectators, viewing can either be from outfield or infield. It is possible to see over 80% of the national track from a single vantage point given the amphitheatre setting. Particularly good sports include watching the cars stream down Craner Curves towards the Old Hairpin and between McLeans and Coppice also provides some good spectating. As always the weekend benefits from an open Paddock.

Sunday's Timetable (correct at time of press)

09.00 Mini Challenge Race 1
12.50 Guiness Book Of Records Mini Parade
13.45 Mini Challenge Race 2

Tickets

Saturday £12
Sunday £12
Accompanied children under 15 are FREE

And don't forget if you are a Mini driver you can print off a voucher and get 2 for 1 tickets AND also the opportunity to take part in the Mini Parade, click here for more details.

If you are unable to attend the event, don't forget online timing is available at MST Timing

James+Blyth, Donington+Park, Mini+Challenge, motorsport, motor+racing, Mini, Mini+S+Class

Television Coverage This Week

Don't forget you can relive the action from Thruxton this week:

8th August     18.30     Motors TV
8th August     21.00     Sky Sports 3
9th August     09.00     Sky Sports 3