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!

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.

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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

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

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!

James+Blyth, Mini+Challenge, Mini, S+Class+Mini, Motorsport, Motor+Racing, Thruxton

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.

James+Blyth, Mini, Mini+Challenge, motorsport, motorsports, motor+racing, spa, spa+francorchamps, podium

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.

James+Blyth, Mini+Challenge, Mini, Oulton+Park, Motorsport, Motor+Racing

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

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.

Press Release - Introducing James Blyth

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 26th February 2007
Words: 280
For further information please contact:
Rebecca Hobbs
Email: [email protected]

BLYTH SET FOR A MINI ADVENTURE

Norwich’s James Blyth set to compete in the 2007 Mini Challenge

Norwich teenager, James Blyth is set to take to the race track in 2007 as he contends the Mini Challenge Championship. Racing an Advent Motorsport prepared Mini S Class Cooper, this will be the 19 year old’s debut season in track racing after eight successful years in karting.

As the current Senior TKM Extreme lap record holder at Buckmore Park, James is used to high speed racing but is looking forward to the new challenge the saloon championship brings having already had a successful test session at Snetterton circuit.

“The test went very well” reported James. “The car’s handling and response is excellent. I had a very consistent test session and the times were well within the reach of last year’s pole position time for the race held at Snetterton, which given the poorer weather conditions and the fact I was running old tyres, was very encouraging.”

James, has high hopes for the series ahead.

“Naturally I want to win!” says an ambitious James, “But it is a long season which requires consistency and dedication, so I am very thankful to be racing with a team such as Advent Motorsport who are proven winners in the Mini Challenge having taken the S Class Championship last year. I hope to be bringing some silverware home to Norfolk!”

James’ season can be followed on his website www.jamesblyth.com with the first race taking place at his ‘home circuit’, Snetterton on 28-29th April. Until then James has more testing lined up and is warmly inviting any local companies who would like to sponsor his Championship campaign to contact him on [email protected] for further details.

Notes to Editors:

James Blyth
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.

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