Cooper Class dominator Max Bladon has pledged not to back off at Cadwell Park this weekend, despite being on the verge of landing the title.
Bladon carries a whopping 225-point lead into the standalone Cadwell Park double-header. With just five races remaining, a top eight finish in the first race would make Bladon the 2016 Cooper Class champion.
The Excelr8 man enjoyed an unprecedented 11-race winning streak from the start of the year up until the last round of the series at Oulton Park, where he was twice beaten to the top step of the rostrum.
Despite his sizeable points lead, Bladon said he wants to cap his year with a race win.
“I’d love to win the title with a race victory, and not be the one who trundles around at the back just doing enough,” says Bladon. “The plan is to go to Cadwell and fight for the win, not eighth“.
“The way I’m approaching this weekend won’t change. It’s still a race weekend and I’m still hungry to win. The only thing that’s changed is the pressure element, as in my mind it’s off now and winning the championship is more a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ at the moment. There’s still pressure to do well and perform, but I’m not stressing about having to win as the points gap helps you relax“.
“Cadwell is an interesting circuit. I’ve never been there but I’m due to test on Thursday, but aside from that I’ve only done simulator work. It’s tight and fast, and I think qualifying will be more important there than anywhere else this year as overtaking will be tough”.
“A few drivers have more experience than me there, so I may be going in on the back foot, but hopefully I can figure out the track in practice and put it together to get the title over the line on Saturday.”
The Cooper and Cooper S classes will enjoy separate grids for the first time this season at Cadwell Park. Scott Adam leads the Cooper S Class points, in a title fight that is destined to go to the final round at Snetterton.
“Oulton was a strong weekend for me in terms of results, taking the championship lead and netting a win,” says Adam. “I need to carry that form on, but for me the whole game plan is about beating Scott Jeffs, as I think he’s the real up-and-comer of the class. Cadwell will be a real test.”