MX-5 OC Forum

Aware that the original 'Blyton Bash thread is getting very long (now locked), please see below for the 'essentials' for the event:

How To attend:

If you are planning to attend to spectate or participate in the Sunday Guinness World Record attempt then no need to do anything now, indeed there's nothing stopping you attending BOTH days, stay over and attend the Saturday evening entertainment. Staying all weekend costs NOTHING!!!

ALL are welcome and you might just find yourself wanting to part with £10 for a passenger wristband...even those that don't believe they have any interest in track events suddenley find a rumbling in their tummy once they see the fun involved!

Wristbands for passengers and the evening hog-roast vouchers will be available all Saturday in the main events marquee, DECKERDENCE.

For MX-5 OC Members wishing to enter their car (and for those wishing to add extra MX-5 OC Member drivers) keep an eye on the Blyton Bash threads and look out for the Motorsport Editorial in February's Soft-Top Hardtop and the final invite write-up and flyer in April's edition.

It's important that everyone remembers that ONLY those that pre-book cars and drivers for the Blyton Bash will be able to participate in the weekend in a driving capacity (excluding passengers). This is because we as a Club are, for the first time, stepping into a bespoke motorsport event specifically for MX-5 Owners Club Members. As such PLEASE remember your MX-5 OC Membership card when you attend!!!

Blyton Park Driving Centre:

DN21 3PE But be warned, it's a large postcode, SATNAV will get you lost! Please use the instructions below and look for round orange signs saying MX5 once you get close...

From the Midlands

• Leave M1 at J30 and head for Worksop (A619)
• Go round Worksop on A57, join A1 and after 1 mile take A620 to Retford
• Stay on A620 and join A631 outside Gainsborough
• Cross River Trent and stay on A631 for approx 5 miles
• You will see a café in a lay-by on your left-SLOW DOWN and turn left signposted Pilham and Blyton. If you get to Corringham you have missed the turn!
• In Blyton turn right onto B1205 and we are one mile on left.

From M1 approx 1 hour, From A1 30 min.

From the South

See above and follow from the A1 or M1. From M1 approx 1 hour, From A1 30mins.

From the North

Get onto the M180 and leave it at Junction 4, A15 towards Lincoln. After five miles turn right onto B1205.When you have crossed the level (if your car is lowered then SLOW down, it's anything but level!) crossing at Northorpe you are about a mile away and the entrance will come up on your right. From M180 Approx 20 mins.

What's on offer:

Saturday:

Open Pit Lane (max 25 cars on track at any time), chequered flag will be shown every 15 mins to encourage turn-around.

Car control auto-test: on & off road (tarmac & grass) where cars go 'head to head' against the clock and each other on a mirrored course.

Vendors here:

Saturday Night:

Time to let your hair down after a hard day's driving: Hog roast, bar, disco etc.

Sunday:

More of the same all morning.

Track closes at midday to prepare for the Guinness World Record attempt.

If you are only planning to attend on the Sunday to participate in the GWR attempt, you are still more than welcome to arrive on Saturday and stay over for the party, hog-roast will only cost a fiver a head and bar prices are average, ie £3/pint or glass of wine and £1.50 for shorts. 

Wristbands:

Wristbands are the only simple way of ensuring that people have paid; wristbands are colour coded and relate to event staff, car owner-drivers (Sat, Sun and both Sat/Sun), 2nd drivers, passengers and those that have paid for the evening hog-roast (voucher). It will only be possible to buy passenger wristbands and hog-roast vouchers at the event, all drivers MUST be pre-booked.

Wristbands will be posted to members prior to the event, please don't forget them!!!

Anyone found swapping wristbands will be asked to leave the event.

Event staff:

All staff will be wearing 'Mazda on Track' shirts or 'Blyton Bash' hats.

Staff are there to ensure you have a great time in a safe yet informal, friendly environment and are responsible to me for everything from designated drivers to parking to camping area allocation to trackside safety; they are going to be very busy people so please adhere to their requests as it is likely to be for your safety and enjoyment.

Timings:

Gates open 0700 Sat and Sun.

Drivers Safety Brieifng 0800 and 1400 Sat, 0800 and 1530 (approx) Sun.

Guinness World Record attempt 1200-1500 Sun (all Area Co-ordinators please ensure touring assemblies arrive by 1130 Sun for driver brief).

Track times: Sat 0800-1900 Sun 0800-1200, after GWR attempt-1700.

Sat night party: 1930-everyone drops  (last orders at the discretion of Deckerdence staff). Hog-roast 2000-2200.

Accommodation:

Camping, caravans, motorhomes all welcome and free of charge, local hotel deals in place and free transport to and from hotels Sat PM and Sun AM as required (leave your car at Blyton, get pickled, then safely get taken back to your nice, cosy hotel room and collected the next day!!!)

Blyton has limited bespoke Ladies and Gents washing, shower and toilet facilities, an extra toilet unit has been ordered for the accommodation area.

See here:

What to bring:

MX-5 OC Members signing up for the event (car owners, drivers and second drivers) please bring the following:

1.  Club Membership Card.

2.  Driving Licence (including paper section).

3.  Wristbands.

4.  MOT and Insurance documents. (Track-specific cars - ie not road legal - are acceptable but may be subject to an inspection by the track day operators. Cars deemed as non-road worthy may be refused access to the track. This is for the safety of ALL).

Whatever your overnight arrangements (be them hotel or staying on site under the stars) the evening entertainment is informal so no need to bring the black tie! All you need is something to sleep in and/or on, something to wear (driving & social) and a small wash bag! I'm told you can get a week's worth of camping holiday into a '5 so lets see how many manage a weekend! 

For track driving, long sleeves and trousers are a must. Helmets will be available in limited supply for the track. The low-speed events (auto-test) do not require helmets but covered legs and arms are still a must. Any helmet carrying a CE mark is sufficient (including motorbike helmets).

Whilst some may choose to wear race suits, shoes and gloves these are not essential by any means.

Kids:

Of course you might want to bring the kids...but didn't you buy a two-seater to get away from them?

Mazda on Track have a very pragmatic approach to children on track; essentially if your child can sit securely in the seatbelt (or harness) without the requirement for a booster seat, and as long as the helmet you child is wearing is secure and fitted correctly, then they can enter the track as a passenger. Work on a minimum of 8-10 years or older as a guide. But clearly, parents and/or guardians must be responsible for minors in their care at all times. Please be aware that the above is very much subject to the scrutiny of the track marshall, and a decision to refuse a minor access to the circuit will only be made for the safety of that child if he or she does not meet the requirements.

Pets:

All dogs are welcome but owners please respect the site and clean up after your pooch. Dogs must be kept on leads at ALL times within the accommodation area, vendors area and paddock. Sorry, but no dogs on track (with or without helmets!)

Car Insurance:

All those attending please note that your Road Car Insurance will be invalid on the track*.

As such, it is down to EVERY individual to remain courteous to other drivers.

Contrary to rumour, track-day driving is exceptionally safe and dinks are very rare. The Mazda on Track safety briefings will cover all aspects of track driving and over-taking areas.

*Those insured through Footman James and REIS may be able to secure third party liability cover as part of their Insurance Policy. Please contact your insurer for more details.

Cheers Jon... Do you know from when and how booking for drivers will be organised ?

martin:

Do you know from when and how booking for drivers will be organised ?

Good question!

We were going to put the application flyer into the Feb edition of STHT but that will now have the Spring Rally flyer in it (which seems only right as the Spring Rally is next in our busy Calendar).

So I'll drip feed info on here (and there is more detail in my STHT Feb Motorsport Editorial) and the application flyer will be in April's edition.

April still allows for two months planning time before the event and maybe better then than now as people's plans tend to change so a little unfair to ask folks to commit 6 months out?

I'll add a point on th OP about 'how to' attend.

Do second drivers have to be full members too?

Cheers, Steve.

Ooops just read other thread and it looks like you do

Steve,

I'm stuck in a quandry over this one; the event is the first MX5OC track-based weekend, a departure from anything we've done before and something that I'm determined to get right first time.

My concern is that, as the Club is underwriting the event, it should be enjoyed by it's Members (as essentially it is they who are paying for it, even though by virtue of us selling the track places this is one of few OC events that actually pays back into the Club).

The other point is that if each car arrives with an extra driver there will be a real struggle to get everyone sufficient track time; yes we have 'background activity' with the skid pan, gymkana and motorsport-related stands to keep those waiting entertained but it will still put a strain on proceedings.

Best I can say for now (please remember I'm doing this for the 1st time and am learning as I go!) is bare with me, I'm not saying no, but I'm not saying yes either at this stage!!!

Sorry I cannot give a more definative answer.

Jon

 Jon,

In the Feb STHT it says that most of the 100 places are already gone. Do you mean that nearly 100 people have expressed an interest or that it is nearly booked up as I have yet to see a booking form anywhere?

Or am I just dazed and confused? :)

Nick

Nick,

Sorry, my bad

That's what happens when you write an editorial two months before it's due! The comment refers to the fact that when the 100 track places have sold out we'll nearly be there for the 1st WR.

To be clear: NO-ONE can book anything until 15 Apr using the flyers in the Apr STHT

You guys are going to have so much fun at blyton :)

Nice work Jon I'm sure I will see you at a track day before :)  

Hope so mate, planning on popping over on the 18th...

I went to Blyton Park last Wednesday to run in my 15 year old lad's rebuilt YZ125 speed hill climb bike and make sure my YZ250 is atill going well. Richard Usher gave us a tour of the circuit in a car (though we only needed one corner of it for our setting up). He couldn't have been more helpful. It looks a really good circuit to try out my Mk1 1.8 for the first time on a track so I'm looking forward to the April STHT with anticipation. All I have to do now is persuade 'SWMBO' to follow me with the lad  in our campervan so that we can make a weekend of it. Mind you as it is a 3 litre diesel Granvia I reckon I could always hire a car trailer for the weekend.

Louise and I carried out our 'confirmation recce' last weekend, and the 'essentials' OP has been changed subtley changed to reflect the updates.

No big surprises, just more stuff for everyone to get involved with

Jon, could I just check if I need to do anything with the car for the track?  Ours is a totally standard road motor, so no cage, special tow eye or strap etc..

From what I can read above, just long sleeves and long trousers with helmet, is this correct?

Igurisu:

Jon, could I just check if I need to do anything with the car for the track?  Ours is a totally standard road motor, so no cage, special tow eye or strap etc..

Nowt mate, that's the beauty with your (may I add excellent) choice in car  so long as you still have the tie-downs in the front (just in case you need to be pulled out of the sprout fields  ) you are good-to-go.

Just check the fluids, tyre pressures etc and you're all done.

Igurisu:

From what I can read above, just long sleeves and long trousers with helmet, is this correct?

Spot-on

Great stuff, thanks very much Jon :)

Hi

We are coming on Sunday, is there a postcode for Blyton Park for the sat nav?