James Blyth ~ Mini Challenge 2007

POLES, POINTS AND A PODIUM FOR BLYTH!

Norwich’s James Blyth Takes Pole Position in the latest Mini Challenge Event

James Blyth (Norwich) was in blistering pace for the 8th and 9th rounds of the Mini Challenge held at Thruxton, Hampshire at the weekend. Coming away with pole positions, points and a podium to his name, he lies 2nd in the S Class Championship, having made further inroads into the leader’s points tally.

This was James’ first visit to the ultra fast Thruxton circuit not that his qualifying performance gave any hint of a newcomer as he set fastest laps to record pole position for the weekend’s double header event. Indeed in his Advent Motorsport (Norfolk) prepared S Class Mini, James was set to be the pace setter all weekend coming away both race fastest laps.

Whilst much of the country suffered abysmal weather it thankfully stayed dry in Hampshire where James made a good start from his first Mini pole position. With fierce and extremely close racing from Arthur Forster and Carl Bradley paint was swapped and the sprint race was all action. Despite the knocks and bumps, James ably hung on and battled to a well deserved 3rd spot to claim his third podium in a row.

For the second race there was a bit of grid shuffling with the stewards issuing grid penalties to many drivers after the boisterous action in race one. Starting from 5th on the grid, James made another strong start and was again putting in the fastest laps. An exciting battle for 3rd place followed with James at its heart but disaster was to strike when one of his back tyres suffered a puncture. Some good fortune was the blow out occurred just metres from the pit entrance and James was able to dive in for the Advent Motorsport team to perform a lightening quick tyre change. With only a quarter of the race left James sped back into the action and was quickly making up places to finish the race in 10th position.

“The weekend had been perfect to the second race” said James who is backed by MiniPro.co.uk, Carlyle Finance and MiniPirate.com. “The most encouraging thing was to be the quickest car out there all weekend so it’s just disappointing that the puncture in race two stopped us translating that pace into another podium but these things happen in motor racing!”

James’ next outing is on 4-5th August at Donington Park in Leicestershire. The event will be particularly special for Mini enthusiasts as spectators arriving in a Mini will be able to get a 2 for 1 ticket offer and take there own car on track to be part of a, hopefully, world record breaking parade of Minis. Hopefully some Norfolk Mini drivers will make the journey and cheer James on whilst they are there!

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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

BLYTH SHINES AT SPA

Norwich’s James Blyth Takes A Stunning Pair of Podium Finishes as the Mini Challenge Visits Spa

James Blyth put in a stunning performance competing in the 6th and 7th rounds of the Mini Challenge when it went overseas to the famous and daunting Spa circuit in Belgium. The Norwich teenager, having his first visit to the circuit famous for amongst other events holding the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix, came away with an armful of Championship points after scoring an impressive two pole positions, two fastest race laps and two podium finishes taking 2nd and 3rd in the weekend’s double header event.

As James first took the track ,set in the Ardennes forest, its awesome reputation was not lost on him, especially the world famous corners such as Eau Rogue, and asked to describe the circuit James summed it up as ‘”a bit mad really”!!

In qualifying, which was red flagged twice, James was worried that getting a clear run would be nigh impossible and headed out with a determined ‘just go for it’ attitude which paid off as he secured two pole positions which in turn gained him extra championship points.

The first race was set to be dramatic with James slipping to 5th but battling back to 2nd and eager to reel in leader Oli Mortimer. James was soon within 2seconds of Mortimer, recognised as quite some feat given the former Scottish Champion’s powerful hold over the championship this year. And second place meant the chance to stand on the legendary Spa podium.

“You couldn’t help but think of all the motorsport greats who have stood there before you” said James. “It is a very special memory.”

James had the chance to relive the moment as he came a strong third in the second race of the weekend, possibly all the more impressive given car problems to contend with. Having led the race for the first 15 minutes, the engine mount broke causing the engine block to move and in turn make gear selection difficult seeing James have to fight the car which wanted to shoot straight ahead at corners! Even with these troubles James again set the fastest race lap and was back on the podium!

Bringing two sets of silverware home to Norwich, James summed the weekend up as “a great experience” and now sits 2nd in the S Class Championship with his next outing scheduled for 22nd July at the fast and sweeping Thruxton circuit, Hampshire.

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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

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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BLYTH TAKES A PODIUM ON STRONG DEBUT

Norwich’s James Blyth Made a Strong Debut in the Mini Challenge, Including a 3rd Place Finish

Norwich racing driver, James Blyth made a solid start to his Mini Challenge season taking two fifths and a third place in the weekend’s triple header at his home circuit, Snetterton.

In his debut Mini Challenge weekend, 19 year old James was keen to get off to a flying start after a recent successful outing in the Mini Challenge Spring Cup which preluded the start of the season proper.

Run by Advent Motorsport, who themselves have recently relocated to Norfolk from Surrey, James’ S Class Mini was on fine form during Friday’s practice sessions when the team took the opportunity to tweak the set up for the weekend.

Saturday’s qualifying saw James put in a series of fast laps to be sixth quickest of the 35 cars, though his position was promoted to fifth on the grid after a competitor ahead was penalised for being underweight.

The first of the weekend’s three races was held on Saturday afternoon. At the start James dropped down to seventh place but soon battled back into fifth place where he remained unchallenged until the end of the race to take an admirable finish in his first Mini Challenge race.

The second race took place on Sunday morning, when Snetterton found itself basking in sunshine once again. James was aware that the car was slower than the previous day, after minor contact with a club class car he was lapping in race one caused damage to the air scoop causing the engine not to run at its optimum. But this wasn’t to faze James and once again he put in a valiant drive to finish in fifth place for the second race in a row.

By the afternoon and the third and final race, which at 22 laps was to be twice as long as the previous races, James really had the bit between his teeth! After the rolling start James dropped from fourth to eighth but as charged back. Other drivers found themselves in trouble in an incident packed race and by the 25minutes to go mark James found himself fighting for third place with Nathan Coulter. The battle was to be intense with their places swapping but as James got ahead of Coulter he was able to use the back markers they came across to his advantage and pull out a lead which saw him finish with a superb podium on his debut weekend.

“It has been a fantastic start to the season” said a clearly delighted James afterwards. “We’ve come away with three strong finishes and even a podium, so I am very pleased and thank the team for their support. I am looking forward to the next round now, which is Oulton Park where I think the car will go well and hope to continue with more consistent finishes to really stake my place in the Championship”

Snetterton weekend was also the first race where James was supported by new sponsor MiniPro.co.uk who offer an online performance parts service to Mini owners. James would welcome further sponsors and partners, offering a wide range of packages tailored for all budgets, further details and contacts can be found on his website at www.jamesblyth.com

The next two rounds of the Mini Challenge are at Oulton Park, Cheshire on Bank Holiday Monday 28th May.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

James Blyth - email James
Age: 19
Lives: Norwich, Norfolk
Website: www.jamesblyth.com

2007 Season: Competing in the Mini Challenge S Class in an Advent Motorsport prepared Mini S Cooper

Previous to 2007 – 8 years of karting. Senior TKM Extreme Lap record Holder – Buckmore Park

Outside of motorsport his hobbies include playing guitar, tennis, rugby, golf, football and partying! His ambition though is to become a professional racing driver.

Digital images are available on request from Rebecca Hobbs

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.

James Welcomes MiniPro.co.uk Aboard!

We are very happy to announce that MiniPro.co.uk have joined forces with James as sponsors when he contests this year's Mini Challenge Championship.

Based in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, MiniPro have recently launched their online store where they can help you transform your Mini whether you are just looking to buy an air filter or have a fully fitted performance package!

If you are a Mini driver it is a website that will certainly whet the appetite with leading brands available including dealers for Pipercross air filters, Forge Motorsport, Eibach performance suspension, Playmini Stainless steel exhausts, Superflex polyurethane bushes and EBC Brakes as well as MiniPro's own range of performance products. MiniPro also offers ECU Remapping. So be sure to visit their website or pop along to any of James' races and pick up an information leaflet from our paddock display.

If you are interested in sponsoring James we can offer a wide range of benefits specially tailored to your needs and budget. Please email us for for further information.

BLYTH SPRINGS TO A PODIUM

Norwich’s James Blyth Races To A Podium Finish In The Mini Challenge Spring Cup

Norwich racing driver, James Blyth made an impressive track debut on Sunday in the Mini Challenge Spring Cup. Held at Mallory Park in Leicestershire, the Spring Cup was an opportunity for the many newcomers to the 2007 Mini Challenge to have a pre-season race.

With over eight years of kart racing under his belt and a number of successful tests in his Mini S Class, James was raring to go in full race mode despite having never raced at Mallory before. Qualifying saw him 5th on the grid for both the day’s races.

In searing heat race one provided plenty of thrills and spills. James made a good start off the grid and comfortably slotted into 5th place. As James put in steady laps the field was closed up as a competitor spun off and the safety car was brought out. As the safety car pulled off, with just a couple of race laps left, James was on the tail of 3rd place but just missed the final podium spot as the chequered flag fell.

Pleased with his first outing, James and his team Advent Motorsport, who themselves have recently relocated to Norfolk, decided few changes were required for the car bar new rear tyres for the second race of the afternoon.

Race Two was to prove even more dramatic than the first with James making a lightening start going from 5th on the grid to 3rd by the first corner! Fast and close racing followed with James momentarily dropping down to 4th place before making some stunning over taking moves to get into 2nd place before taking the lead! Entering the tight Shaw’s Hairpin a quick engine cut out could have meant disaster but keeping a cool head James found second gear and was back on his way, having dropped to 4th. Soon back onto race pace, James was again scything through his rivals and back to 2nd place to claim his podium place and his first Mini Challenge silverware. As well as celebrating his superb second place, James also took the fastest lap honours in race two.

“It was an excellent, and very hot!, day” said James afterwards. “The car handled well and especially in the second race both myself and the car were really on the pace and I’d like to thank Advent Motorsport for their support. To come away with a podium place and fastest lap is a great pre-season boost and I feel very confident as we go into the Championship especially as the first round is at my home circuit Snetterton which I know well.”

James’ season can be followed on his website www.jamesblyth.com with the first Championship race taking place at his ‘home circuit’, Snetterton on 28-29th April.

Next Outing -  28/29th April - MINI Challenge Championship  - Snetterton

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

James Blyth - email James
Age: 19
Lives: Norwich, Norfolk
Website: www.jamesblyth.com

2007 Season: Competing in the Mini Challenge S Class in an Advent Motorsport prepared Mini S Cooper

Previous to 2007 – 8 years of karting. Senior TKM Extreme Lap record Holder – Buckmore Park

Outside of motorsport his hobbies include playing guitar, tennis, rugby, golf, football and partying! His ambition though is to become a professional racing driver.

Digital images are available on request from Rebecca Hobbs.