Blyton test days

[2skiddy]

Hi, does anyone know what is happening up at Blyton. Howard, the owner of Rallydrive, said they are only there till end of Sept. Is anyone else taking over as it has been a great low cost venue for myself, friends and relatives.
It would be a shame to see it go.

[Evangelion]

Is this the Blyton near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, that used to be an RAF bomber station?

[2skiddy]

Yes it is. They have rallycross there occasionally, but not on the same track. It is a great low key track, slightly rough and ready, tarmac not shale, and reasonably close to me. We have been going for the last 8 or 9 years. Fantastic for testing a car, brushing up on my track skills (always needed) or giving novices some tuition.
It will be sadly missed if it doesn`t get taken over.

[Evangelion]

My brother recently lent me a book on World War 2 bomber stations and that was included; it reminded me that when I lived at Kirton-in-Lindsey (another RAF station, which incidentally has recently re-opened) as a nipper, my parents took me to see some karting. Checking with the map, and Google Earth, it must have been Blyton.

[T0MMY]

Do you have a web address for them? I've been looking for a cheap track day venue in this area but can't find them on the web!?

[2skiddy]

It`s under Rallydrive.com I think, run by Howard and Ruth, so you know it`s the right one. There might be some midweek days to be had. He said that Sat 12th Sept might be available, but pease check first. price is £45 plus VAT per car all day at last count.
Cheers.

[Gompo]

I hope this place doesnt go - I had been hoping to try it out with my Integra in the next few weeks.

Where are you based, 2skiddy?

I'm in Retford..

[2skiddy]

Hi Gompo, Not too far away in Southwell. You wont have to travel far!

[Gompo]

Ahh Southwell - lovely place.

No not far to travel at all, not a bad drive out there either - although there are some silly low speed limits between Retford and Gainsborough now..

There was a car show in Gainsborough last week, where apparently the cars on show went to Blyton for a couple of laps. I was wanting to go, but had a bookcase and a chair in the back of mine at the time so a bit unsuitable! Not seen any reports from anyone on here as to what it was like or if there was any news to it potentially shutting..

[rainmasterb]

Took my 944 Turbo round Blyton a couple of weekends ago - cracking track in terms of size and corners, just needs a bit of tidying up really. Ruth said you can hire the track for exclusive use for £400 on a weekday or £800 at the weekend - sounds like a good deal! Tarmac is not quite as bad as I was led to believe, but there are some quite serious 'craters' in key braking zones. If the owner spent a little bit of money on the worst bits, I would be there every weekend as I only live about 10 miles away!

[2skiddy]

Hi rainmasterb, I agree with your comments and have asked Howard on several occasions if it were possible to fill the bomb holes. Maybe the next organiser will, and possibly charge a lot more for it no doubt! I am going up there on Sat 12th with my new Z3M coupe to shake it down. This will be the last time under Howards and Ruth`s running, I am led to believe. Hope to see a few fellow petrolheads up there.
Cheers

[Gompo]

2skiddy said:

I am going up there on Sat 12th with my new Z3M coupe to shake it down. This will be the last time under Howards and Ruth`s running, I am led to believe. Hope to see a few fellow petrolheads up there.
Cheers

D'oh. Was hoping to go to Blyton in the near future. Unfortunately I am quite busy this weekened and had already decided to go to Thoresby this Sat or Sun to watch the sprinting.

[2skiddy]

Hi Gompo, you missed a great day at Blyton. It`s the last time we are up there for awhile. You might get mid week track time if you ring Howard. He`s only there till the end of the month.
BTW was Thoresby Sprint good? I competed there a few years ago in my M3 CSL. I think it was the largest car there! Interesting track though, which has to be driven very precisely.
Cheers

[Gompo]

Hi mate,

Unfortunately I didnt make it to Thoresby.. too many family things going on! Hopefully I didnt miss much, I am obviously very local so will hopefully go another time.

I couldnt really go to Blyton in the week without quite a bit of notice, need the money, hopefully it will stay a viable option even if Howard etc leaves. Not sure what car/motorsport thing I'll go to next - are you aware of anything local coming up? Not had a good look myself to be honest.

Cheers, Greg.

[1275GT]

Has anyone got any further info on what is happening with testing at Blyton?

[2skiddy]

Hi, I have recently made contact with the new rally school proprietor, at last. It seems that the track is to have a makeover in the near future. Hopefully there will be testing Jan/Feb 2010, weather dependent on track repairs. As soon as I have news I will post.
Cheers

[bulletproofbob]

just PM'd you Mr skiddy as my Blyton contacts seem to have dissapeared...

[Gompo]

..I'd be interested in any updates - so please post anything on this thread.

Cheers, Greg.

[1275GT]

Has anyone heard anything else recently? I could do with somewhere to test the car!

If anyone has contact details for Blyton's new owners could they PM me?

[ginettajoe]

1275GT said:

Has anyone heard anything else recently? I could do with somewhere to test the car!

If anyone has contact details for Blyton's new owners could they PM me?

....... try Teesside Autodrome, Middlesbrough, they have a couple of days each week or look at www.thetrackdayclub.com
HTH