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