James Blyth ~ Mini Challenge 2007

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.

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

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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

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

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Full Throttle for Thruxton

The weekend sees Thruxton as the venue for rounds eight and nine of the MINI Challenge Championship in which James is lying 2nd in the S Class Championship table.

Thruxton is a fast and flowing circuit where it really is a case of who dares wins! Ultra quick with sweeping bends this circuit really shows off the pace of the cars and whilst resurfaced the drivers will still be feeling plenty of bumps!

Spectators are well advised to pitch a spot at the club chicane. Spectating is only allowed between Club chicane and Noble as shaded by the green area on the circuit map (left, click map to open fully)

Thruxton is situated just off the A303 west of Andover in Hampshire. Click here for further directions.

On the day tickets prices:

Saturday 21st July
Adults £9, accompanied children under 16 FREE
Grandstand seat £5
Paddock access FREE

Sunday 22nd July
Adults £18, accompanied children under 16 FREE
Grandstand seat £8
Paddock access £7

Timing throughout the weekend will once again be available from www.msttiming.co.uk

So Near, So Spar

This weekend it is a trip across the Channel for James as the Mini Challenge visits the world famous Spa Francochamps circuit in Belgian for the sixth and seventh rounds.

The circuit has an awesome reputation and this is James' first visit there.

Catching up with him after Thursday's test sessions, James said the circuit truly lived up to its legendary status and was more than a little "bit mad!".

Situated in Belgium, but just three hours from Calais, the Spa circuit is world famous after holding spectacular Formula One, Sports car and Endurance events since the 1920s.

Visiting a track with such a history and held in such high esteem is a real boost for any British national Championship looking to stretch its legs and gainer recognition in Europe.

Set in the Ardennes forest the 6.9km track twists and undulates through the countryside. Such a long track, climbing and falling, it is often the case that it can feel like summer at one end of the circuit and a typhoon at the other side.

The track tests the mettle of both car and driver, with extreme bravery needed to face such exhilarating corners as the mighty Eau Rogue, which you cannot appreciate the steepness of on the television!

Mini Challenge Timetable:
(bst +1hr)

Saturday 15th June
10.25 Qualifying

Sunday 16th June
10.05 Race 1
15.20 Race 2

Live Timing and full results sheets are available via the Belgian Site click here

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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Snetterton

And we are go!

James’ kicks off his 2007 Mini Challenge at his home circuit of Snetterton in Norfolk on 28-29th April in a TRIPLE header event!

You will often see Snetterton listed as a driver’s favourite circuit. With long, fast straights, and overtaking opportunities it offers the driver plenty of challenges and never fails entertain the spectators.

If you are attending here are our top tips for Snetterton:

There are plenty of good viewing points along the 1.952mile circuit which boasts 7 corners. Excellent vantage points to see the action are The Esses and Russell Bend (click on the map to enlarge), where the majority of overtaking tends to happen.

Once again there is an open paddock so you can see the behind the scenes action close too.

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

Mini Challenge Timetable (subject to change)

Saturday 28th April
09.40 Practice
13.45 Qualifying
17.00 Race 1

Sunday 29th April
11.25 Race 2
15.40 Race 3

Snetterton is 10 miles north-east of Thetford on the A11 from London to Norwich. Coming from the south, leave the M11 at junction 9 and follow the A11. From the north or west, use the M11/A11 and join the A11 after Newmarket. Click here for full directions and local information.

Mallory Park

This weekend sees James head to the Leicestershire circuit of Mallory Park for the Mini Challenge Spring Cup which takes place on the 15th April.

Of course we will bring you all the news from the event but if you are looking attend here are our top tips for Mallory Park viewing.

Mallory Park is a little gem of a circuit and as their strapline says "The Little Circuit With A Big View"

As you can see on the map (click to enlarge) the circuit encapsulates a small ornamental lake and the paddock complex. Set in a natural amphitheatre, and with everything in walking distance it offers the spectators ample opportunities to watch the action. From some vantage points you can see over three quarters of a lap!

A great spot to start your spectating is on the grass bank opposite the start finish line which also gives you a stunning view across the lake and you can see the cars race down the back straight, Stebbes.

As a spectator you can also take you car in and park up at Gerards to watch the action - great option if the weather turns on us!

This weekend the cars will not use Edwinas - this chicane is only used for motorcycle events.

You can now drive your own car as far round as the Esses park and view area which gives a great panorama of the whole circuit but no visit is complete without getting on foot and walking around the Shaw's Hairpin, Bus Stop Chicane and Devil's Elbow - here the action really hots up! Spectators view the action from high banks so you get the opportunity to really look down on the cars and being so close to the circuit you will get a real sense of the speed and closeness they achieve.

For those attending tickets prices are Adults £12 and Children FREE, with practice starting at 09:30 and the first race scheduled for 12:05. Parking and paddock transfers are also FREE. The paddock is accessed by spectators over the bridge on the main straight.

After the racing be sure to take time to look at the amazing lifesize statues of motor racing greats located at the circuit entrance.

Mallory Park is situated in the village of Kirkby Mallory, just off the A47, between Leicester and Hinckley. Look for the brown tourism road signs, including those which bring you direct from junction 21 of the M1.

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