Semington's Dan Blake to race at Castle Combe meeting

Blake, a multiple race winner in the Hyundai Coupe Cup, will have his first rear-wheel drive outing in Monday’s Dave Allan Trophy endurance race at the May Day Madness Bank Holiday.

Having recently acquired a Mazda MX5 MK1, from MX5 championship-winning team AB Motorsport, Blake has stepped up following four years in the Hyundai Coupe Cup as he aims towards entering the BRSCC MX5 Championship later this season.

Amigo Motorsport will be running Blake, as the team look to progress him into GT and Endurance racing in the future, with Mazda MX5 racing seen as the first step into rear-wheel drive sports car and GT racing.

Blake completed an hour and a half in the new car at a track day at Rockingham in February, with the Dave Allan Trophy race being a first competitive outing in the baby blue MX5 with a fluorescent yellow roll cage.

After financial constraints forced him to run a limited calendar this year, Blake hopes to have a few outings with Amigo, including BRSCC MX5 Championship rounds later this season, before launching into a full campaign next year.

Blake, who took his first Couple Cup win at Castle Combe in 2015, said: “I am really looking forward to getting out there and being able to see what the MX5 can do.

“I wasn’t able to push fully at Rockingham as it was hard to get a clear lap in on the track day.

“It was nice to be able to get out and have a shakedown of the car, as we were able to find a few little issues.

“We had some teething problems with the car in regards to the seat, which can happen first time out in a new car.

“Hopefully now it has been sorted, I will feel a lot more comfortable in the car and I will be able to have a good race.

“I am not going into the race with any expectations as I am not sure what cars will be in class four with me.

“This is part of a preparation plan for the main BRSCC MX5 Championship and it is a real honour to be able to have my first race in the car at Castle Combe.’’