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The 2024 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship begins this weekend on the birthplace of the game, Lydden Hill. 14 Supercars are entered for the double header occasion that can kick off a condensed calendar.
Collection organisers have listened to suggestions that 2 abroad journeys per yr was too burdensome. To fight this the championship will host 6 weekends of competitors with every class racing 5 occasions. For the Supercar class this implies 3 conferences at Lydden Hill with an occasion at Mondello Park and Pembrey every. In an additional bid to attract in bigger entries at each spherical, dropped scores might be eliminated. It will stop drivers from with the ability to freely skip an occasion with out consequence.
After Cooper Tires ceased manufacturing at their UK plant they had been unable to proceed supplying the paddock. MRF have been introduced in as a part of a multi-year deal. With restricted testing for almost all of entries it stays to be seen who can familiarize yourself with the brand new rubber.
Supercar Calendar
Drivers
Patrick O’Donovan – Ford Fiesta
The reigning double British Rallycross champion will return to his 2022 title successful Fiesta for the opening 2 weekends of the season. {The teenager} took a clear sweep of occasion wins that he contested final yr within the workforce’s European occasion successful Peugeot 208.
“I’ve plenty of good reminiscences from racing the Fiesta two years in the past. It’s removed from essentially the most trendy automotive on the grid. It’s going to be aggressive. I all the time purpose to win although, so we are going to embrace the problem. The automotive is totally different to drive in comparison with the 208, which is at present being rebuilt at SCM.” advised 5 Nations BRX.
Since lifting the crown final yr he took a podium on his World Rallycross debut earlier than racing within the Nitrocross finale. The entire workforce stays uncommitted as to which sequence they may race on this yr.
Ollie O’Donovan – Proton Iriz
The 2007 champion and father of Patrick has set his sights on one other title. The Proton he’ll race has skilled teething troubles all through its 2 yr lifespan. Nevertheless, after being re-shelled final summer season and with some testing the automotive has begun to indicate its true potential. It helped safe the Irishman second place within the standings final yr after choosing up 3 class podiums within the closing 3 rounds.
“We’re getting on high of the Proton now. Racing alongside Patrick is all the time particular. I don’t understand how for much longer it would simply be me and him collectively, so I’ll get pleasure from these occasions. We’re 100% confirmed for the primary two weekends, after that is a bit more unsure. I actually wish to take the battle for the title.”
Tristan Ovenden – Citroen DS3
The Kent native will embark on his fifth season with the workforce’s DS3. He suffered a number of setbacks final yr however fought on to be tied on factors for third place. Ovenden has gained at Mondello every of the final 2 years and hopes to hold that efficiency to Lydden Hill and Pembrey.
“Much like final yr there are a couple of small developments primarily round automotive dealing with. It’s nonetheless a reasonably difficult factor to drive simply due to its [transmission] format. Towards [Irish drivers] we’ve been there and crushed them a few occasions, we haven’t been truthful off the Proton. We’ll see what different new vehicles there are. You’ve all the time obtained an opportunity”
Julian Godfrey – Citroen DS3
Final yr Godfrey took possession of the LD Motorsport DS3. Reliability proved to be a problem however flashes of pace got here by, the spotlight being a win in Eire. Now with extra time poured into the automotive the engine builder and tuner is seeking to be constantly difficult for wins.
“The plan is to do all of the rounds. It’s a must to be a bit extra aggressive with the DS3 [compared to the Fiesta]. It took a short time to be taught that type. Hopefully have much less time repairing the automotive and focus on driving it.”
Steve Harris – Mini Countryman
Final yr it was Harris’ son Jake who campaigned the electrical Countryman on the majority of rounds. With the youthful Harris taking a step again to concentrate on his household this yr it leaves Steve Harris to drive the automotive as soon as once more.
“I’m making an attempt to do the entire season. I’ve solely achieved the primary spherical [of 2023] and we’ve modified numerous suspension and diff set-up. That’s what I’m making an attempt to do [score podiums] however I’m older, my reactions are slower [than Jake] so I’m simply going out for the enjoyable issue.”
Michael Sellar – Volkswagen Polo
Since 2020 the Kent driver has raced an ex-Hvaal Citroen DS3. Now for 2024 he has bought an ex-Kristofferson Volkswagen Polo from Ales Fucik. For Sellar he will certainly be aiming for an elusive first podium having completed 4th twice since his return to the 5 Nations paddock. A full season marketing campaign is predicted.
Steve Hill – Mitsubishi Evo10
Hill enters the automotive he has pushed for over a decade now. Final season he competed on the trio of Lydden Hill occasions. Over the previous 2 years he has additionally returned to rallying. With newer time behind the wheel you’ll be able to anticipate to see the skilled racer choose up the items ought to any points befall his opponents.
Dom Flitney – Volvo C30
After buying the automotive in 2021 Flitney has continued to realize expertise with the distinctive automotive. Nevertheless, in that point the automotive’s potential has been held again on account of an older drivetrain being put in. Now the automotive might be at full energy whereas the motive force is healthier ready for every occasion.
Flitney stated to five Nations BRX “Since I obtained the Volvo not all the things has actually been in place for issues to go how I would really like. This yr it’s totally different. I’m getting outdoors assist with making ready the automotive, which can make a giant distinction. For myself I’ve made modifications too, a part of that’s racing a Cross Automobile. Simply to get me seat time, to be sharper than I used to be coming to occasions.”
Flitney will miss this weekend however is predicted to attend the remaining occasions.
Oliver Bennett – BMW Mini
A double British occasion winner in 2022, Bennett will look to repeat that success on the opening weekend of the yr. Xite Vitality’s Mini which was beforehand raced in World Rallycross and Nitrocross has seen sporadic entries domestically since. Now the automotive has had a full engine rebuild he ought to be one to observe throughout the Easter weekend.
Colin Anson – Mitsubishi Mirage
Anson has taken huge steps in a bid to problem the entrance runners within the Supercar class. He drove a Ford KA and Opel Astra final yr however each have been bought and changed. The automotive was initially developed by Spencer Sport in 2017.
“It’s a really particular automotive, all the correct stuff, gearbox, suspension, and engine. Godfrey had an enormous roll within the automotive in 2018. They re-shelled it and it’s solely achieved 1 or 2 conferences since. It hasn’t been run since 2019. Contact wooden it’s going to be pretty able to go. I’ll construct up myself within the automotive, right away I’ll understand how far I can push it.”
He has dedicated to all 4 rounds on the UK mainland with hopes of racing in Eire, although provided that there may be minimal work to do after the opening weekend.
Michael Leonard – Ford Fiesta
The Irish driver stepped as much as Supercar for the primary time final yr competing within the Irish championship. He took a number of wins en-route to second within the sequence whereas additionally competing at Lydden and Pembrey as soon as every.
“It was my first yr in a Supercar final season so it was tons to get my head round and we obtained so near successful the Irish Championship, in order that was nice. I’m wanting ahead to going again at Easter the place hopefully we will have a clear weekend and be there within the combine. My plan is to race within the full 5 Nations BRX and Irish Championships, and a few European occasions too,” he stated to five Nations BRX
John McCluskey – Ford Fiesta
McCluskey is one other driver set to compete on either side of the Irish sea. Nevertheless, this marks a return to the sequence through which he has 5 victories, the final of which got here in 2005. He’ll compete in an ex-OMSE Ford Fiesta that gave him his return to rallycross final yr. He has already taken occasion wins within the automotive and the affable driver is nicely positioned to problem for wins within the UK.
“I really feel much more assured within the automotive now, most likely driving the automotive to 90% of its capacity. Actually enthusiastic about our return to Lydden, the place I obtained my 1st UK outright win. We gained’t relaxation till we’re competing for the outright win. Our first ambition is to win the Irish or British title.”
Gary Donoghue – Ford Fiesta
Finishing the trio of Irish Fiesta drivers is Donoghue. The New York based mostly competitor entered rallycross final yr and now he’s seeking to compete within the opening 3 occasions of the season. Sadly he’ll miss spherical 2 on Monday on account of a household occasion.
“I’m going to compete in Mondello and Lydden for the July spherical. Then I’m really going to go over and do 2 Nordic rounds in Denmark and Germany. I’m simply seeking to have enjoyable. If I’m going fairly good in 5 Nations I would try to do the August spherical [at Pembrey] on the best way again. I’ve been to Lydden twice, about twenty years however by no means pushed.”
Ian Barrett – Volkswagen Polo
Irish circuit and rally driver Barrett will debut in Rallycross this weekend. He has purchased one other KMS Polo that was raced by Johan Kristoffereson in final yr’s RallyX sequence en-route to the title. The 6-time World champion affectionately named the automotive “Killer Pig” because it proved a worthy car. He has been tipped by fellow Irish drivers to be on the entrance come the top of this occasion. He might be assisted by some KMS workforce members this weekend.
Talking to five Nations BRX, “We obtained the automotive from Sweden final week, it’s been totally rebuilt and I’m excited for Lydden Hill. Now we have no time for testing in any respect, will do the very best we will and most significantly, get pleasure from it! We’ll do the primary weekend at Lydden, then go to Mondello and return to Lydden in July, and see how we’re getting on.”
He’s seeking to compete in Europe as nicely.
Nick Priddy – Citroen DS3
The RX150 race winner will step as much as the Supercar class after buying Sellar’s Citroen DS3. MAS Motorsport will proceed to run the automotive for Priddy alongside Sellar’s new Polo. Nevertheless, because of the automotive needing new components Priddy gained’t compete till Lydden Hill in July.
“Now we have obtained an excellent automotive, it wants some fundamental tidying and we’re engaged on some updates to the engine. I’ve had a good time racing the RX150 however I’m certain Supercar might be an entire new expertise. I want I’d achieved this years in the past.” he advised 5 Nations BRX.
Extra Entrants
At the moment double digit entries are anticipated at each spherical this yr. Different drivers might compete later within the yr although it stays to be seen who and when these drivers enter. The efficiency degree has been stepped up and with Patrick O’Donovan returning to the workforce’s older Fiesta it leaves victory realistically open to over half the grid.
Motion kicks off with Apply on Saturday morning earlier than a full day’s racing with the identical once more on Monday 1st April.
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