James Blyth ~ Mini Challenge 2007

BLYTH BATTLES AT OULTON PARK

Norwich’s James Blyth Comes Away With More Championship Points at an Eventful Mini Challenge Event at Oulton Park

James Blyth (Norwich) came away from the fourth and fifth rounds of the Mini Challenge with battlescars to the car but valuable points in the bank. Held at Cheshire’s Oulton Park on Bank Holiday Monday, the rain largely stayed away with only Saturday’s qualifying session taking place on a damp track when James took a solid 5th on the grid for Race One and 3rd on the grid for Race Two in a Championship boasting over 30 entrants.

The first race of the weekend’s double header event was to see James in the middle of drama by the first corner. In the melee of the start James’ Mini Cooper S was hit, denting the body work and putting him into a spin.

“I found myself spinning and facing the wrong way with about 30 Minis raring passed which was pretty hairy!” said James afterwards.

Thankfully James kept the car going and rejoined at the back of the field before scything his way past some 19 cars to finish in 10th place.

Still showing the wounds from his first outing, James set off on the rolling start for the longer 30minute second race of the weekend. James felt his start was poor and he dropped to 8th place but fought back to make his way up to 4th with 20 minutes of the race left, the leading trio having drawn out a lead. James set about hunting down the leading three and after a fine performance he was just on their tail as the chequered flag frustratingly fell.

Just shy of the podium James was disappointed but the consolation was more points in the Championship bank.

“I felt we could have had two podium finishes today, the car was strong on this fast circuit but events conspired against us” James reflected afterwards. “The car has got some serious dents after I was hit in the first race but at least we come away from the weekend with more points for the Championship.”

A further important aside to the weekend was James has now received the necessary race experience and official signatures on his race licence which allows it to be upgraded to the next level which sees him eligible to compete in the next two rounds of the Mini Challenge as it heads overseas to the famous circuit of Spa in Belgium on 16-17th June.

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Oulton Park

The second round of the MINI Challenge Championship means a trip to Cheshire and the Oulton Park circuit. James has tested at the circuit previously though on the shortened circuit, though for this weekend’s event the Island track will be used giving the Mini’s a real chance to stretch their legs.

The track is a series of long, fast straights and a combination of fast, sweeping and tight corners which tests the drivers and easily magnifies any mistakes.

If you are attending here are our top tips for Oulton Park:

Parking is in the infield so even Bank Holiday weather can’t spoil the atmosphere! There are ample viewing spots, though you cannot se the whole circuit so be sure to move about and capture all the action from the thundering straights to the corners were mayhem is sure to ensue. Lodge corner, Knickerbrook and Old Hall are not to be missed (click the map to enlarge).

The circuit also has good facilities including a restaurant and access to the open paddock.

As the event is held over a Bank Holiday remember racing is held over the Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday.

For those attending tickets prices are £12 for adults on both days with children under 12 admitted FREE.

Timetable: TBC

Oulton Park is situated next to Little Budworth and is best accessed from the A54 or the A49. From the north take junction 19 off the M6 and follow the A556 through Northwich towards Chester, from the south leave the M6 at junction 18 and follow the A54.

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