Next Monday, 17 April, the second round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill, Kent, will be supported by round two of the 2017 Retro Rallycross Championship, continuing the celebrations for the sport’s fiftieth anniversary. It is important to say that the first-ever rallycross event was held at Lydden Hill, hence its fame as the home of rallycross.
Current champion Ray Morgan (Ford Escort) will start his home event after claiming top honours on round one at Croft. Morgan, a three-time John Button Memorial Trophy winner, is continuing his behind-the-scenes work in his Hastings workshop, building a new engine for his rear-wheel-drive Escort.
His biggest challenge will come from Barry Stewart, whose Porsche 911 brought Swede Rolf Nilsson to overall victory at the 1982 British Rallycross Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.
Paul Easterbrook (Toyota MR2) made his Retro Rallycross début at round one, finishing fourth, and will be back at Lydden, after returning to the sport last season.
In the up-to-1600cc subdivision, class winner and third-overall at Croft, Stewart Bowes, hopes to achieve more great results in his Mini Clubman, joined by Lance Foster‘s similar car, whose Croft outing hasn’t been quite as lucky, but he hopes to make up for that at Lydden, where he shone in the past.
Long-time Retro Rallycross competitor, Paul Smith (VW Polo), will compete while also working on a new engine setup, just like Morgan.
The biggest news, however, is the presence on the grid of two new drivers, both at the wheel of rear-drive Fords. Mark Richardson will compete in a Sierra, whereas experienced RX150 competitor Kevin Feeney will race the same MkII Escort that Tony Bardy drove in the Live Action Arena at Autosport International Show last January, where Retro Rallycross was part of the celebrations for the 50 years of the sport.
“It’s wonderful to have Barry back in the Porsche this weekend, along with all of our regular drivers. It’s going to be a great event,” said Retro Rallycross Promoter, Shirley Gibson.
“I’m really delighted to welcome Mark and Kevin to the Retro Rallycross family this weekend too. They both have great cars that should suit the fast Lydden Hill circuit well. We’re all enjoying the 50th anniversary of our amazing sport and hopefully we’ll get some glorious Bank Holiday weather on Monday to show rallycross at its best and entertain the crowds”
Further information on the Retro Rallycross Championship can be found on the official website.
