PRESS RELEASE: 22nd Septemmber 2008

Stuart’s Taste of The Big Time

Stuart Bliss & Guy Wilks

Somerset Rally Driver Stuart Bliss experienced the big time at Rallyday that was held at Castle Combe in Wiltshire. Stuart was invited to join the Mitsubishi World Team for the day as they attended where they demonstrated there latest version of the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO WRC.

Stuart joined Mitsubishi factory driver Guy Wilks the reigning British Rally Champion, for some demonstration runs on the feature stage, Stuart was not unfamiliar with the Mitsubishi EVO as he drove a Group N version in May for the first time finishing an impressive 8th overall at the Millbrook Stages.

Commenting on the experience in the WRC version “The car is amazing, the main difference to the car I drove is the launch control which assists the driver getting the 300 brake horse power car off the line and the brakes which are incredible making it possible the brake at the last minute. The gearbox being a sequential and of the type that allows flat out gear changes was very special. It was a dream to get involved with Mitsubishi and experience I will remember for a long time.”

Stuart will now join Mitsubishi works driver Gwyndaf Evans as he has invited Stuart to test with him and the team prior to the 2009 season which will see Stuart tackling the British Rally Championship next year in a new car to be sponsored by Betta and PIAA.

For further information please contact Chris Hutchings.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 24th August 2008

Championship rally driver Stuart Bliss headed to The Mewla Rally in Builth Wells, Wales on 24th August for another round of the ASWMC sealed surface championship. With his usual co-driver on holiday his brother Richard Bliss stepped up to the plate. The frequent showers and high winds on the hills gave Stuart an optimistic feeling, being a specialist in adverse weather conditions he expected to beat his seeded position of 79th.

The rally consisted of 10 stages in total with Stuart beginning cautiously on stage one as this was a new rally to him and he didn’t know what to expect. He regained his confidence for stage two and was on the pace. A mistake from his co-driver caused Stuart to lose about 30 seconds on the third stage but the car was handling well and Stuart was happy with his performance.

Things were back on track for stages four and five, regaining the valuable seconds lost in the previous stage. As things were going well Stuart did not want to jinx anything so left the car settings as they were and pushed a little harder for the final few stages. Going into the last stage, by far the longest of the rally, Stuart was pushing as hard as possible, but lacking confidence in his co-driver with it being his first rally with him by his side he made a mistake going straight on over a blind crest causing him to lose time.

Despite this time loss Stuart managed to finish an impressive 59th overall and 8th in class. He was pleased with his final result which is further evidence that Stuart is going from strength to strength and is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the rallying world.

Stuart would like to thank PIAA UK for their continuing support, as well as his other sponsors; South West Karting, West End precision, Psycho Designs, Avon Independence and Avon and Somerset portable appliance testing. Stuart would also like to thank his co-driver Richard Bliss and his service crew for their hard work and support during the Rally.

For more information on Stuart please visit www.stuartbliss.com

 

PRESS RELEASE: 27th May 2008

Stuart Bliss from Zero to Hero

Stuart Bliss Weston Motor Club member Co driven by Richard Marsh in their first ever event in the Betta Sponsored EVO of Paul James had a dream start for there new sponsor and the team.

The only practice available to Stuart before the event was a brief 2 hour practice kindly arranged by Dynamic Drivers of Weston.This helped Stuar'ts confidence as driving the new Mitsubishi EVO 9 is such a difference to driving his normal rally car a Peugeot 205 1.6 Gti.

The event was a round of the National Asphalt Championship held at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. Stuart starting in a very lowly seeded position of 49th was soon the talk of the Rally as he was instantly showing his talent by lying 20th out of 100 competitors after just the first stage, and on the second stage while still on slick tyres as the conditions had been dry the heavens opened Stuart then even went faster finishing 18th.

Feeling more confident as the day went on Stuart recorded a 5th and 6th fastest stage times to eventually finish a tremendous 8th overall and first Group N car.

Paul James who lent Stuart the car stated “When Chris Hutchings persuaded me to get involved with Stuart he said that he had real talent and just needed the right car to show how much, I must say I am so impressed with Stuarts performance as he was up against some serious opposition and I know Stuarts ability was not fully on show as he had so little time in the car before the event. To bring the car home without out a mark on it in such treacherous conditions in the top 10 is tremendous.

Chris Hutchings, Paul James and Stuart are now working on the 2009 season which will see Stuart compete in the top level of Rallying with a new car provided by Betta.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 19th May 2008

Stuart Bliss is awarded a “Betta” Drive

Ever since Stuart's Rally debut on the 2007 Brean Stages Rally he has impressed many people in Rallying with his Championship and Class results despite his limited budget and the limits of his machinery, currently an 18 year old Peugeot 205.

In his first year in the sport he won the under 25 award in the Cotswold Championship, in which he also finished 2nd overall, also winning the under 25 in the Association of South West Motor Clubs Championship.

Since Stuarts Rally debut Chris Hutchings of PIAA UK who has a major involvement with many up and coming Rally drivers has taken a keen interest in Stuart and has been determined to broker a sponsorship package for 2009.

He introduced Stuart to Paul James a successful businessman from Taunton and after meeting Stuart in January at the Autosport show, held in Birmingham Paul has taken a keen interest in Stuart and has been so impressed with the results Stuart has achieved in his Peugeot 205 1.6Gti that he has made available the use of his “Betta” sponsored Evo 9 Group N Rally Car for the Millbrook Stages a round of the National Asphalt Championship, which is held at the Millbrook proving ground in Northamptonshire on Monday the 26th of May.

Paul James has stated that he will also be helping Stuart in 2009 and “Betta” will become Stuarts title sponsors. Paul commented, “it is great to be in a position to assist a young talent and it will help us bring the Betta brand to a wider audience and Stuart will be on hand for the corporate days we have for our customers during the rest of 2008 and then into 2009 Rally Championships.

Stuart is naturally delighted and commented; “That after competing in Karting and Circuit Racing it is so good to get this break and I can not wait to compete in the Mitsubishi Evo, a £90,000 car, it will certainly be a very different experience than my £6,000 Peugeot. I can not thank Paul enough for this opportunity and of course Chris Hutchings for his introducing me to Paul.”

Stuart is also supported by Psycho Racing of Cheddar, Questmead and West End Precision Tool.

For further information please contact Chris Hutchings on 01943 818430 or 07836 701578

 

About Stuart

* Name: Stuart John Bliss
* Date of Birth: 19/08/83
* Hometown: Weston-super-Mare
* Occupation: Honda Diagnostic Technician

Stuart was introduced to the world of motor sport by his dad, Terry Bliss and was accompanying him to rallies and assisting the service crews at age 3. He began competing himself in Kart racing at the tender age of 8. After winning the best novice trophy at his local club, Dunkeswell Kart Racing Club in 1992, he went from strength to strength winning a top 3 championship trophy every year for the 8 years he competed. Stuart then progressed to VW cup championship 2005 where he drove his MK1 Golf (1.8) to finish 16th overall after a non finish in the last race where his engine blew up.

In 2007 Stuart decided to follow after his dad and switched to rally driving and is currently competing in the CMSG and ASWSC Sealed Surface Championships.

Stuart would like to thank PIAA UK for their continuing support, as well as his other sponsors;

For more information on Stuart please visit www.stuartbliss.com

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 24th March 2008

Stuart leads CMSG championship

On a high from collecting his first piece of silverware of 2008, Stuart Bliss, championship rally driver headed to the Three Counties Stages Rally on March 2nd full of confidence. The weather was wet and miserable but nothing was going to dampen Stuart’s spirits. Seeded 32nd, Stuart braced himself for the eight stage rally.

However things did not get off to as good a start as they had ended at the Emerald Stages Rally. With extremely different weather conditions the car had to be set up differently and a wrong tyre choice hindered Stuart in the first stages. When this was rectified by the ever reliable service crew things began to pick up. Stuart began to get back to his previous form and was rapidly making time back, but this wasn’t to last.

Due to the horrid weather conditions Stuart ended up clipping a tractor tyre causing the car to almost roll over, much to detriment of his co-driver, Richard March’s heart which skipped a beat. However Stuart’s vast driving skill and experience meant he was in full control at all times and safely landed the car on all four wheels.

Stuart now had even more time to make back and pressed on as hard as possible. The three stages left were not quite enough for Stuart to pull back the amount of time he desired and he finished what was still an incredibly respectable 5th in class and 24th overall. This performance means that now, after four rounds, even though it is still early stages, Stuart currently leads the CMSG sealed surface championship.

Stuart would like to thank PIAA UK for their continuing support, as well as his other sponsors; South West Karting, West End precision, Psycho Designs, Gwynne Speed Rally school and The i-team. Stuart would also like to thank his co-driver Richard March and his service crew for their hard work and support during the Rally.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 20th February 2008

First piece of silverware of 2008

On 16th February, just one week after the engine disaster at the Wyedean forest rally, thanks to lots of hard work by his dad, championship rally driver Stuart Bliss was ready to compete in the Emerald stages rally. The weather was good and Stuart was confident going into stage one, seeded 46th, with his now familiar co-driver Richard Marsh by his side.

Stages one and two and things couldn’t have been better. The car was performing, Stuart was performing, everything was perfect. However it wasn’t to last as in stage three Stuart caught a cone with the back wheel causing him to spin and hit a fence, loosing valuable time. Back in service the crew checked the car for any damage and fortunately there was none.

Now with the lost seconds to make up Stuart put his foot to the floor. The car still performing as well as possible and Stuart on form it was turning into a very enjoyable day for everyone. The service crew sat back, just checking the car between stages and enjoyed the sunshine. Stuart would not be needing their assistance today.

After an astonishing eight stages with the spin being the only problem of the day Stuart collected silverware for a well deserved 2nd in class, (coming in 17th overall). His first piece of silverware for 2008; and the first of many if his form at the Emerald stages is anything to go by. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn’t had clipped that cone?

Stuart would like to thank PIAA UK for their continuing support, as well as his other sponsors; South West Karting, West End precision, Psycho Designs, Gwynne Speed Rally school and The i-team. Stuart would also like to thank his co-driver Richard March and his service crew for their hard work and support during the Rally.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 15th February 2008

Forest first disaster for Stuart Bliss

On 9th February 2008 championship rally driver Stuart Bliss headed off to compete in his first ever forest rally; that of the Wyedean Forest Rally. Being his first ever forest rally Stuart and his team were looking to gain experience from the event more than anything else. It was the second rally for Stuart of 2008 and he had alongside him co-driver Richard March as well as his usual service crew, and began the rally seeded 115th.

The first stage of the rally began well. The car was set up nicely and Stuart was pulling some impressive timings. As the day went on Stuart began to climb steadily up the field, growing with confidence on the unfamiliar terrain, until reaching 7th in class going into stage five.

However things were not to continue on such a high note as during stage five Stuart’s engine dropped a valve! Destroying the engine this meant the end of the rally for Stuart and his team. In spite of this, being his first ever forest rally Stuart was pleased with the day and is in high hopes for any future forest rallies.

Stuart would like to thank PIAA UK for their continuing support, as well as his other sponsors; yokohoma tyres ,South West Karting, West End precision, Psycho Designs, Gwynne Speed Rally school and The i-team. Stuart would also like to thank his co-driver Richard March and his service crew for their hard work and support during the Rally.

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 2nd February 2008

Pushing for title in 2008

On the 21st January, the Brean Stages Rally was the location for championship rally driver Stuart Bliss’ first rally of 2008. Being a local rally for Stuart, the weather good and plenty of supporters out watching him, he wanted to get the year off to a solid start in order to challenge for the championship title. Armed with his new co-driver Richard March and familiar service crew Stuart was raring to go by the first stage of the two day event, seeded 31st.

Soon into the first day Stuart realised it was not going to be the dream start he was hoping for as he had brake problems. The service crew worked tirelessly to render the problem and managed to do so by stage four, however confidence was now low. Things began to improve during stage five and six with Stuart picking up time and gaining faith in the car.

Going into the second day Stuart knew he needed to make up four seconds a stage in order to get the class win he desired. It was going to be tough, but certainly with Stuart behind the steering wheel possible. As each stage went by Stuart was gradually climbing the field until eventually he was tied with first place. All of day one’s problems had been eradicated by Stuart’s sheer determination.
Going into the final stage Stuart knew what he had to do, and pulling a good first sector he was doing it, until disaster struck! His gear linkage broke one mile from the end causing the car to stick in first. Stuart managed to press on in first and finish the stage to come in at an impressive 4th in class and 28th overall

Stuart would like to thank PIAA UK for their continuing support, as well as his other sponsors; South West Karting, West End precision, Psycho Designs, Gwynne Speed Rally school and The i-team. Stuart would also like to thank his co-driver Richard March and his service crew for their hard work and support during the Rally.

 

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