Wokingham racer Matt Blyth is kick-starting his motorsport career by sampling selected races in the competitive Caterham R400 Challenge in 2004, and this weekend found that beginner’s luck counted for nothing at the high-speed Thruxton, Hampshire, circuit. A combination of mechanical dramas and a spinning rival meant the 22-year-old had a frustrating weekend, only finishing the first race, and that one after driving mostly one handed!
“The meeting started well,” explained Matt, “we were third quickest in testing in the wet on Friday. In qualifying on Sunday morning we set the car up for wet weather again, but then it proved to be too soft for the conditions and I ended up ninth on the grid. We put slick tyres on the car at the end of the session, but by then it was too late.”
The first of the weekend’s two races for the rapid sportscars was on Sunday afternoon, and Matt’s car hit problems even before the start.
“The gearbox broke on the grid,” said Matt. “The selector went and I couldn’t get first or second. I had to pull away in third, which ruined my plans for a lightning start!
“I found I had to drive one handed for most of the lap as I the lever wanted to jump out of third and fourth gears, so I had to forget my target of a top five finish and bring the car home eighth - which wasn’t too disappointing considering the problems I had.”
The Hyperion team slotted a new gearbox into the Caterham for Monday’s race, but as it turned out, Matt’s luck was not to improve.
“The team fixed the gearbox, and I made a good start. As we reached the complex for the first time I was in the middle of the track when a car in front spun. I had cars either side so close that our wheels were interlocked and I couldn’t swerve, and I got hit front and back. That damaged the steering, but more importantly, the radiator.
“I limped round for another lap, but the radiator was leaking and I pitted to save the engine. Overall it has been a disappointing weekend, I had hoped for a good result at Thruxton. We were quick whenever we were running, and even put in some good lap times with the gearbox problem. If we could have shown that pace in the final race, then a fourth place finish could have been on.”
Next races: Brands Hatch, Kent, October 9/10.
