Veteran of 61 Formula 1 grands prix, Le Mans 24 Hours victor, Indycar race winner in the most fearsome era… at 53, Mark Blundell has nothing to prove.
Yet here is he, back racing, in an Audi S3 in the bear pit that is the British Touring Car Championship.
Why on earth…?
“Several reasons,” says Mark. “One, a couple of years ago I lost my father, who was a massive influence on my life. That gave me a huge focus that if I’ve still got a passion and a desire, I should give it a go. He always agreed with that.
“Secondly, at the age I’m at, yes, business is great” – he runs a successful sports management company and looks after several racing drivers, including DTM ace Gary Paffett and sports car racer Mike Conway – “but the lifestyle was getting a bit too much for my physical shape… This gave me a target. I’ve dropped 13 kilos about three months.
“And three, if I didn’t think I could be successful – not just on-track results – I wouldn’t be doing it.”
The BTCC’s high profile, big crowds and live TV coverage has enabled Mark to bring some impressive blue-chip sponsors to the programme, which is good for business – but he can’t help feeling disappointed at his form so far. Brands Hatch and Donington Park proved tough, and this weekend at flat-out Thruxton is likely to offer more of the same.
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Has he been told by Chilton
Has he been told by Chilton to quit ?
Thruxton
How did Mr Blunde(r)ll do this time out?
Qualified last.
First Race - 27 out of 30. Second - Didn't finish. Third Race - Didn't finish.
So why exactly is he back in the BTCC!
I’m with his sentiments to.
Don’t sit on your hands more as you get older, do something, simple as that, once your in your fifties and so on you start to look at your life more, friends , relatives pass away for whatever reasons, no, if you can, then do it whatever it is.
But surely, by 50's you do something that you are good at
Aren't you supposed to have learned what you are good at by now, and clearly by qualifying close to the back of the grid and then finishing almost last in most of the races, and when he didn't he was in the teens, he clearly isn't very good.