THE 2006 Rallycross Super Series gets under way on March 12 with the second running of the English Rallycross Masters at Croft Circuit.

The 2005 Rallycross Superprix Champion, Christopher Evans, heads the Division One entry list with his Tony Bardy-prepared Opel Astra and is aiming to take home the English Rallycross Masters title, which fellow Irishman Dermot Carnegie won in 2005.

Last season, Evans claimed three of the five Rallycross Super Series titles, the Midlands Rallycross Masters and the Irish Rallycross Masters in addition to the Superprix, establishing himself as the leading contender from Britain.

Ferryhill's Tony Bell, with Steve Hill, Kevin McCann and 'Mad Mark' Watson, from Barnard Castle, will be the main English contenders. This will be Watson's first event in England with his ex-Laurent Terroitin Citroen Xsara WRC and he could be in with a shout of victory as the car certainly goes well around Croft, something which was demonstrated by Terroitin in 2004 at the British Rallycross Grand Prix.

Norwegian Stein Egil Jenssen will start as the pre-event favourite in the Super National category at the wheel of his Volvo S40.

Super Series 2000 enjoyed a highly successful opening event last year which saw Allan Tapscott claim his first win with his Vauxhall Corsa. He will renew his battle with arch rival Paul Wakeling at Croft as the pair go head to head for the win.

John Whelan, from Ireland, is sure to get in on the act with his Peugeot, while Andrew Barker, Chris Cake and Ashley Simpson will also be hoping to spring a surprise.

Tony Lynch opens the defence of his MDA Stock Hatch Championship at Croft, but Kenny Hall and Steve Heppenstall aim to make the early running. The Citroen Saxos of Phil Chicken and Bryan Armstrong are sure to be competitive, while Gareth Wood has a new Peugeot 106 Xsi.

Cleasby's Ben Rennison, son of former Rallycross star Mark Rennison, will make his Rallycross debut at Croft in the Junior Rallycross category, using an ex-Andrew Jordan car. Other newcomers to the category include Stephen Larkin and Craig Popperwell.

The Minicross category action is too close to call and the new Revivals class will make its Rallycross debut at Croft, featuring a range of cars.

Published: 02/03/2006