As the MINI CHALLENGE – JCW prepares for the headline event of the year at the MINI Festival at Brands Hatch the grid will have another familiar racing face, in the shape of Mark Blundell.
The ex-Formula One and 24 Hours of Le Mans racer will jump back into the car for the first time competitively since 2010. Now 51, the racing veteran will step into the MINI UK VIP car having been approached some months ago.
“I had about 30 laps in the JCW around Snetterton to get used to it and make sure everything was fine.” said Blundell. “The car is a real bundle of fun, but it was much harder to drive than I gave it credit for. It’s got a lot of power and a short wheelbase so it’s often sideways and on the limit.
“I’m not a front-wheel-drive expert – in fact I think I’ve only done 100 laps in a FWD car in my entire career – and I’m also not a left-foot braker, so both of those things go against me in this type of racing.
“But I love Brands Hatch. It’s a great, short-circuit and the JCW is going to be great fun around there, especially with 30 of them on the grid. It’ll be a good laugh getting involved.”
Blundell has recently only been keeping himself active with regular Goodwood Revival events.