Silverstone International is a great circuit for Mazda racing. Its about the right length (1 minute 22 second laps), has a nice blend of fast and slower corners, and is wide enough in places to race four abreast.

This was the situation going to Donington Park, the 7th race weekend of the year: despite all of the ups and downs, I was in the fight for the championship and held a small 4 point lead over reigning champion, Will Blackwell-Chambers.

Oulton Park is a beautiful circuit, but we didn’t get long to admire it as the entire race meeting took place all in one day. With 52 drivers entered, qualifying and three races to get through, it was always going to be a frantic affair.

2019 BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship. Round 5, Snetterton. The weather over the Snetterton weekend was seriously hot, but that didn’t stop 57 of us entering the fifth meeting of the year. I was keen to put my tricky time at Anglesey behind me and get stuck in. Qualifying went well and I set the fastest in my group. I was a bit slower than the other group, so started in second place, which isn’t ideal at Snetterton. I slipped to third at the start of race 1A, which wasn’t surprising. Just before half distance I was able to nip into second place and after that I closed up on the leader, but never managed to quite get in position to pull off a move for the win. Second place was a good result though, so I was a happy chappy. As well as enjoying the outside starting position in race 2A, I managed to have a poor getaway too and went down to forth. I was up into third though as we went under the bridge on the first lap. This time I had two cars from the same team in front of me and despite a pretty heavy attack early on, I wasn't able to get into second pace quickly. I did manage it at one third distance, but the gap was large to the front by then. A couple of good laps saw me start to close in but I couldn’t pull away from the cars behind and I was overtaken under the bridge in the end. To be fair, it was a good move by young Jack Brewer! Despite my efforts I couldn’t quite get him back, but another podium is not to be sniffed at! Between races we had a bit of a drama with the car; the team ended up changing the differential and gearbox, twice. It was close as to whether we would make it out for race 3A, but the BLiNK guys did a great job to get me on the grid. This time I would start on the inside, although now on the second row. The new gearbox was a different prospect to my old one and I predictably fluffed a change off the start, dropping to forth place in the process. Back into third at the start of lap 2, I set about trying to make further progress, but this let the leader gain some space up front once more. At half distance it all got a little close down the back straight and I ended up on the wrong part of the track, dropping to fifth. Before long I was back into third again and pushing for second place, but wasn't able to pass. I kept the pressure up and we were separated by under 0.2 seconds at the flag. I was happy to get my third podium finish of the weekend though and ever happier overall to be back in the mix at the front. There is a bit of a break until Oulton Park, where we can hopefully keep the momentum going. Circuit photo credit: SnappyRacers Motorsport Photography

2019 BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship. Round 4, Anglesey. We really enjoy the Anglesey race weekend. It's like going on a racing holiday. But this year we had a bit of a difficult time, for one reason or another. It was the first race meeting that everyone would run on the new Avon tyres, there being a choice previously between them and the older Hankook. We had tested on the new tyres, but not used them for a race meeting before, so there would be some learning to do. I was expecting some changes in the running order, but was hoping I wouldn't be one of them! Qualifying was wet and we learnt the first lesson. We opted for full wet (unshaven) tyres. That probably wasn't the way to go, but I managed 2nd in group which would be 4th on grid for race 1A. The race got underway and I was running 3rd. We had set the car up to come in later in the race, as the track was damp and drying. Unfortunately I wasn't really quick enough in the early stages and the front two edged away. Then I had some contact with another car as they tried to pass me, but ran over a wet patch, which meant we touched and it sent me across the grass. I dropped to 10th place and recovered to 8th. Not a good start! Race 2 went better - we were quicker and things went my way a little too. I was able to quickly get up into the podium positions and then had a great battle with Ben Short, Will Blackwell-Chambers and Adam Bessell for the lead. I ended up 3rd and was pleased to be back on the podium. Race 3 was a be lively from the off, with some contact between other drivers on the first lap seeing cars all over the road. I had my own drama at the same time and ended up grass tracking once more, this time breaking my exhaust in the process. I dropped to 10th again and had to try and fight back through again. I ended up 7th after a hard battle with Short. 3rd, 7th and 8th is not an awful weekend by any stretch, but it seemed like it driving home. This just shows how far we have come in the last two years as our expectations are now so high. Blackwell-Chambers won 2 races and pulled a good gap on me in the points, but we are only half way and there is lots of fun to come! Time to reset, forget the points and go for it.

2019 BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship. Round 3, Cadwell Park. Cadwell Park is a beautiful place to drive a car, but the circuit is quite tight for racing on. Therefore, qualifying is key to set yourself up for a good weekend. I was a little off the ultimate pace of the first qualifying group, but fastest enough to top the times in mine and secure an important front row start for race 1A. After running in second place initially, Brian Trott came past after a couple of laps. I didn’t fight it at that time as I thought he would be able to attack the leader (Will Blackwell-Chambers) later in the race. The three of us pulled away and it was all starting to boil up nicely when another car dropped some coolant at the hairpin. I slid wide and lost some time, but further back a car hit the barrier. The safety car was called to allow marshals to repair it, but ultimately the race was stopped. I was classified 3rd - another podium and a good start to the weekend. Race 2A ran the distance and was much more fun. The three top drivers from the first race pulled away again and we were fighting it out the entire way. Trott pulled a great move to take the lead but then missed a gear a lap later, letting Blackwell-Chambers and I nip past into 1st and 2nd. That was the order to the flag, but there were attacks and defensive moves all the way to the end. I knew the best chance I had in the final race would be off the start. It worked out perfectly as I had a great getaway and managed to take the lead. A bit of carnage behind gave the top three a gap immediately. I was determined to stay in the lead and defended lap after lap, mindful that if Trott could get into second place, that would help my points score compared to Blackwell-Chambers. Eventually it happened and I could see another car catching up too, but he wasn’t able to quiet get into the mix. I was a happy camper by the time the flag fell, taking my third win of the season. So we left Cadwell with three podium finishes. A big thumbs up must go to my team, Blink Motorsport, who made a small but crucial change for the final race. We are allowed to drop points from three races towards our season total and now they are being taken into account I am second in the table, on the same points as Blackwell-Chambers, but behind as I have less points to drop. There is still a long way to go, but it is a fantastic start. Back to Wales next for the costal circuit at Anglesey. Time to dress for all weather! Circuit photos: Dave Luck