Powertrain Caterham R400 Challenge
Wokingham racer Matt Blyth continued his motorsport learning curve in the highly competitive Powertrain Caterham R400 Challenge at Brands Hatch this weekend, and while the first of Sunday’s two races ended with his car in a gravel trap, in the second he drove through the field to just miss out on a top ten finish - despite suspension failure barely a quarter of the way into the race.
Having qualified 14th in Sunday morning’s qualifying session, a strong first lap from 22-year-old Matt in the opening 20-minute race saw him gain three places immediately. Then, in a battling group of Caterhams, on lap 14 he was forced wide by a rival at the Druids hairpin – and his car ended up in a waiting gravel trap.
“I got a strong start, made up places in the first corner, and I was involved in some good battles,” said Matt after what was just his fourth car race. “My car felt good, then I was the inside another car into Druids, he locked up and I had to go straight on to avoid hitting him- I couldn’t turn in to the corner. Sadly, a non-finish puts me at the back of the grid for the second race.”
From the final slot of the grid for the afternoon’s 30-minute race Matt put on a battling drive to gain places and come home 11th, despite a breakage on his rear suspension after three laps which effected the handling of his 200bhp Tricool-backed Caterham.
“The problem happened on my third lap into Paddock Hill Bend,” explained Matt. “I thought I had a puncture at first, but then it didn’t feel right for a flat and realised it was something mechanical. Despite that, the car was still quick in certain parts of the circuit and I could get past people, including twice going round the outside of other cars into Paddock.
“It’s been an eventful weekend, but at least we finished! The last six laps of the race I was having to slow a little as the handling was getting worse, I think something had finally sheared off – after that it was just the rear damper holding the wheel on.
“That was only my fifth race but I was passing people with far more experience – so this has put us in a good position to aim to be doing this championship next year. It’s nice to finish with a smile on my face!”
