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 12 months 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 extra bid to attract in bigger entries at each spherical, dropped scores will likely be eliminated. It will forestall drivers from having the ability to freely skip an occasion with out consequence.
After Cooper Tires ceased manufacturing at their UK plant they have 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 become familiar 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 profitable Fiesta for the opening 2 weekends of the season. {The teenager} took a clear sweep of occasion wins that he contested final 12 months within the group’s European occasion profitable Peugeot 208.
“I’ve numerous good recollections from racing the Fiesta two years in the past. It’s removed from probably the most fashionable automotive on the grid. It’s going to be aggressive. I at all times goal to win although, so we’ll embrace the problem. The automotive is totally different to drive in comparison with the 208, which is at present being rebuilt at SCM.” informed 5 Nations BRX.
Since lifting the crown final 12 months he took a podium on his World Rallycross debut earlier than racing within the Nitrocross finale. The entire group stays uncommitted as to which sequence they’ll race on this 12 months.
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 12 months lifespan. Nonetheless, 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 12 months after choosing up 3 class podiums within the ultimate 3 rounds.
“We’re getting on high of the Proton now. Racing alongside Patrick is at all times particular. I don’t know the way for much longer it can simply be me and him collectively, so I’ll take pleasure in these occasions. We’re 100% confirmed for the primary two weekends, after that is a bit more unsure. I actually wish to take the struggle for the title.”
Tristan Ovenden – Citroen DS3
The Kent native will embark on his fifth season with the group’s DS3. He suffered a number of setbacks final 12 months however fought on to be tied on factors for third place. Ovenden has received at Mondello every of the final 2 years and hopes to hold that efficiency to Lydden Hill and Pembrey.
“Much like final 12 months there are just a few small developments primarily round automotive dealing with. It’s nonetheless a reasonably tough factor to drive simply due to its [transmission] structure. In opposition to [Irish drivers] we’ve been there and overwhelmed them a few occasions, we haven’t been truthful off the Proton. We’ll see what different new automobiles there are. You’ve at all times bought an opportunity”
Julian Godfrey – Citroen DS3
Final 12 months Godfrey took possession of the LD Motorsport DS3. Reliability proved to be a difficulty however flashes of velocity got here via, the spotlight being a win in Eire. Now with extra time poured into the automotive the engine builder and tuner is trying 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 model. Hopefully have much less time repairing the automotive and focus on driving it.”
Steve Harris – Mini Countryman
Final 12 months it was Harris’ son Jake who campaigned the electrical Countryman on the majority of rounds. With the youthful Harris taking a step again to give attention to his household this 12 months 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 performed 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 more moderen time behind the wheel you may count on to see the skilled racer decide up the items ought to any points befall his rivals.
Dom Flitney – Volvo C30
After buying the automotive in 2021 Flitney has continued to achieve expertise with the distinctive automotive. Nonetheless, in that point the automotive’s potential has been held again resulting from an older drivetrain being put in. Now the automotive will likely be at full energy whereas the motive force is healthier ready for every occasion.
Flitney mentioned to five Nations BRX “Since I bought the Volvo not all the things has actually been in place for issues to go how I would love. This 12 months it’s totally different. I’m getting outdoors assist with making ready the automotive, which is able to make a giant distinction. For myself I’ve made adjustments too, a part of that’s racing a Cross Automotive. 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 12 months. 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 must be one to observe throughout the Easter weekend.
Colin Anson – Mitsubishi Mirage
Anson has taken large steps in a bid to problem the entrance runners within the Supercar class. He drove a Ford KA and Opel Astra final 12 months however each have been offered and changed. The automotive was initially developed by Spencer Sport in 2017.
“It’s a really particular automotive, all the best stuff, gearbox, suspension, and engine. Godfrey had a large roll within the automotive in 2018. They re-shelled it and it’s solely performed 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, immediately I’ll know the way 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 12 months 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 12 months in a Supercar final season so it was heaps to get my head round and we bought so near profitable 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 mentioned to five Nations BRX
John McCluskey – Ford Fiesta
McCluskey is one other driver set to compete on each side of the Irish sea. Nonetheless, this marks a return to the sequence by 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 12 months. He has already taken occasion wins within the automotive and the affable driver is properly 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 capability. Actually enthusiastic about our return to Lydden, the place I bought my 1st UK outright win. We received’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 primarily based competitor entered rallycross final 12 months and now he’s trying to compete within the opening 3 occasions of the season. Sadly he’ll miss spherical 2 on Monday resulting from a household occasion.
“I’m going to compete in Mondello and Lydden for the July spherical. Then I’m truly going to go over and do 2 Nordic rounds in Denmark and Germany. I’m simply trying 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 12 months’s RallyX sequence en-route to the title. The 6-time World champion affectionately named the automotive “Killer Pig” because it proved a worthy automobile. He has been tipped by fellow Irish drivers to be on the entrance come the tip of this occasion. He will likely be assisted by some KMS group members this weekend.
Talking to five Nations BRX, “We bought the automotive from Sweden final week, it’s been absolutely rebuilt and I’m excited for Lydden Hill. We have now no time for testing in any respect, will do the very best we will and most significantly, take pleasure in 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 trying to compete in Europe as properly.
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. Nonetheless, as a result of automotive needing new elements Priddy received’t compete till Lydden Hill in July.
“We have now bought a very good automotive, it wants some primary tidying and we’re engaged on some updates to the engine. I’ve had a good time racing the RX150 however I’m positive Supercar will likely be an entire new expertise. I want I’d performed this years in the past.” he informed 5 Nations BRX.
Extra Entrants
At the moment double digit entries are anticipated at each spherical this 12 months. Different drivers might compete later within the 12 months although it stays to be seen who and when these drivers enter. The efficiency stage has been stepped up and with Patrick O’Donovan returning to the group’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.
