Author: Chris Ashby

Julian Godfrey leads British Rallycross standings into Lydden Hill

The Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship returns to action this bank holiday Monday at Lydden Hill with Julian Godfrey holding the early advantage.

In sub-zero conditions a little under two weeks ago, the 2018 season roared into life with a history-making event at Silverstone. Tackling the Northamptonshire venue’s all-new rallycross circuit

Whilst FIA World Rallycross Championship stars Sebastian Loeb, Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud locked out the podium, Godfrey flew the flag for the British contingent, finishing best of the rest.

Remaining at the wheel of the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage RX, five-time champion Godfrey will look to extend his advantage at the summit of the points at the iconic Kent venue.

Godfrey will have challengers from all angles however with Steve Hill, also in a Mitsubishi, keen to been on what was a strong curtain-raiser for himself and look to progress from second in the standings, where he currently sits.

The experienced Ollie O’Donovan and Kevin Proctor will be keen to get back towards the sharp end after both enduring difficult opening rounds. Elsewhere, Albatec Racing’s Mark Higgins will be another driver that is keen to continue making strides after showing glimpses of pace at round one.

Mad Mark Watson endured his fair share of bad luck at Silverstone in his Citroen so he will be another to watch as he bids to make his way up the pecking order.

Arguably the most notable additions to this Monday’s entry list are the two LD Motorsport entrants of Jake Harris and Liam Doran. Both piloting Citroen’s, Harris and Doran are proven front runners in the championship and will likely be in the mix from the outset.

Also on the billing on Monday is the MSA Junior Championship, MSA Supernational Championship, Retro Rallycross Championship, RX150 Championship, BMW Mini Rallycross Championship, Super1600 Rallycross Championship and Swift Sport Rallycross Championship.

Goodwood roll back the years at memorable 76th Members Meeting

Goodwood wound back the clock this past weekend (March 17/18) to produce a mesmerising two days of historic racing at the 76th Members Meeting.

Bringing together some of the biggest names in motorsport and pairing them with a host of iconic machines, the Sussex venue battled the elements as a huge crowd flocked trackside.

One of the marque events of the weekend was the popular Gerry Marshall Trophy two-part race. Open to some of the most illustrious touring cars from yesteryear, the opening encounter saw the pairing of Kerry Michael and Mark Blundell take victory at the wheel of the mighty Ford Escort RS2000.

Pipping the Capri of Mike Whittaker and Mike Jordan by just over a second, the duo were perfection personified. The shorter 15-minute race, which took place on Sunday, was won by Pantelis Christoforou, also in a Ford Escort RS2000. Blasting from pole position, Christoforou was unchallenged as he battled a lengthy safety car period and then charge to the line.

Elsewhere, former BTCC champion Andrew Jordan piloted his Ford Lotus Cortina to a memorable victory in the Sears Trophy. Jordan led home fellow Cortina drivers Andrew Wolfe and Mark Sumpter to make it an all-Ford podium.

Martin Shetton was the winner of the Salvadori Cup in a Lister-Jaguar whilst Tim Llewellyn emerged as the victor in the Bolster Cup race.

The pairing of Minshaw and Keen proved too much for their rivals in the Moss Trophy as they stormed to top the rostrum in their Jaguar E-Type.

Tony Wood drove his Cooper-Bristol Mk1 to victory in the Hawthorn Trophy with the Derek Bell Cup going the way of John Milicevic.

Rounding out the List of race winners were Patrick Blakeney-Edwards, David Hart and James Cottingham who won the Caracciola Sportwagenrennen, Gurney Cup and Ronnie Hoare Trophy respectively.

In addition to the racing, a tribute was also paid to long-time Goodwood stalwart Henry Hope-Frost, who tragically passed away earlier this month.

Star-studded entry list confirmed for British Rallycross season-opener

A star-studded entry list has been confirmed for the opening round of the 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship on March 17.

Taking place at the brand-new rallycross circuit at Silverstone, no less than 14 Supercars will battle it out for supremacy as they bid to get the upper hand early on.

Leading the line-up are stars from the FIA World Rallycross Championship, with Team Peugeot Total fielding cars for nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and his team-mate Timmy Hansen.

In addition, fellow WRX competitor Guerlain Chicherit will also be in action at the wheel of a Renault Clio RS.

Flying flag for Great Britain are a host of big names with seven of them having won a British Rallycross Championship event in the past. With 2017 champion Nathan Heathcote moving on to the world stage, the battle for the coveted title is set to be even more fiercely fought over.

Julian Godfrey, Kevin Proctor and Ollie O’Donovan are set to lead the charge whilst the likes of Mark Higgins, Mark Watson and Steve Hill are amongst others that can’t be overlooked.

Elsewhere in the two-wheel drive MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship a diverse 16-car grid will compete whilst there will be seven young drivers are targeting MSA Junior Rallycross Championship glory.

Bumper entries in the one-make Swift Sport and BMW Mini Championships, as well as the Retro class, also add to the spectacle with World RX commentator Andrew Coley once again getting back behind the wheel, this time in Swifts.

To view the full entry list, click here.