...... at Snetterton

Wokingham racer Matt Blyth took his maiden Powertrain Caterham R400 Challenge victory on Sunday - winning the 30-minute feature race at Snetterton and being awarded the 'Driver of the Day' award for the convincing style of his win. In his first season in the hugely competitive series, Matt took his family run Tricool Chillers-backed Caterham to victory against a field of professional teams, winning through in true David versus Goliath fashion.

"I'd started six on the grid for the final race," explained 23-year-old Matt, "and I was in the lead within six laps. I was able to go past people in to the first corner - and particularly at the end of the Revett Straight under the bridge. I was challenged after two laps ahead and briefly slipped back to second, then got ahead again.

"I was only challenged again near the end, but held on and had a four car-length lead as I crossed the line. It didn't really sink in at first that I had won until I drove into Parc Ferme and was the first car there. It was great up on the podium, I have already seen the pictures and I have a big stupid grin on my face, plus the Driver of the Day award was the icing on the cake."

Not only is Matt's car a family run operation, but father Andy was also in the race at the Norfolk circuit, competing in the Caterham Roadsport category. "I came up to lap him as I was fighting for the lead," said Matt, "and he was good enough to move and let me past as I battled for the lead - even though it cost him a place!"

Matt had been disappointed to qualify only tenth on the grid for the first race of the day - but had been on course for a podium finish in that round also before it was halted early due to an incident on the track. "I got up to third before there was a big crash on the pit straight and the race was stopped," said Matt. "The results were taken as we crossed the line the lap before, and I had been only sixth then - so the stoppage cost me three places and I set the fastest race lap as the flags came out!

"It's great to have won as a privateer against the professional teams, and I could get a taste for the top step of the podium. We've been waiting for a really good result since the start of the season, and been close before, but this is what we have all really wanted - I can't wait now for Brands Hatch in eight weeks time, we've gone well there before and it should be good for us again."

Next Races: Brands Hatch, Kent, September 23/25