THE final two rounds of this year’s Toyo Tyres British Rallycross Championship will be staged at Croft Circuit this weekend, with plenty of local drivers in with a shout of claiming championship honours.
In the eight-strong Supercar class, Irishman Derek Tohill trails series leader and multiple champion Julian Godfrey from Kent by two points following his third victory of the season at Pembrey last month, meaning the title battle will go to the wire.
However, the Mitsubishi of Oxfordshire’s Steve Hill, Devonian Andy Grant (Ford Focus), Ludlow driver Steve Mundy (Ford Fiesta) and Clitheroe’s Simon Horton (Subaru) will have a say in proceedings.
Two local drivers will also return to action with ‘Mad’ Mark Watson from Barnard Castle making a comeback in his familiar pink Citroen Xsara and Scotch Corner’s Tony Bardy making a welcome return in the Ford Focus usually campaigned by former champion Ollie O’Donovan.
Having secured the Motorsport UK Supernational Rallycross Championship title for a second year, Tristan Ovenden brings his powerful Renault Clio V6 to North Yorkshire, but he’ll have his work cut out to add to his six wins already as two Northallerton drivers are sure to have a say.
Both Guy Corner and Paige Bellerby will be at the wheel of their respective Lotus Exiges, while Appleby farmer David Ewin (Ford Fiesta) will also be keen to do well. Polish driver Slawomir Woloch (Ford Fiesta) and Belgian Jelle Blockx (Volvo 240) will add a continental flourish to what is expected to be the final rallycross meeting at Croft for the foreseeable future.
It couldn’t be closer in the Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship, with Richmond’s Luke Constantine tied on points with Midlander Patrick O’Donovan ahead of a ‘winner-takes-all’ showdown. However, in a competitive field, two local drivers will be intent on making life difficult for the champions-elect as Northallerton’s Ben Sayer, who won the previous round at Pembrey, and Luke’s cousin, James Constantine from nearby Dalton-on-Tees, will be aiming for glory.
The single-make Swift Sport Rallycross Championship and BMW Mini Rallycross Championship will also be decided at Croft with local drivers hoping to wrest the respective titles.
Tom Constantine, elder brother of Luke, is in with a good shout of the Swift Sport title having moved up as junior champion from last year. The 18-year-old from Richmond has been a model of consistency this season as he battles with three other drivers for the crown with just a handful of points separating them.
Meanwhile, Drew Bellerby from Northallerton and Ferryhill’s David Bell each took a win each in the BMW Mini class at the previous round in Wales, meaning the fight for the title will go down to the wire at Croft. Teesside drivers Martin and Andrew Hawkes as well as Northallerton teenager Eleanor Corner will be hoping to impress in the final round of the season too.
This weekend’s action gets underway with practice from 9.30am on both days. Advance adult admission is £12 for Saturday or £15 on the day, with Sunday’s admission costing £15 in advance or £18 on the day. A weekend ticket costs £24 in advance or £30 on the gate. Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free on both days.
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