2015 MSA Supernational Rallycross Champion Dan Rooke is set to step up to the premier class of the MSA British Rallycross Championship this season with LD Motorsports.
18-year-old Rooke stunned his rivals in 2015 behind the wheel of his family run Citroën AX GTI to take the title, for 2016 he will be driving a 600bhp LD Motorsports Citroën DS3 on the nine-event calender.
The car that Rooke will be driving has a successful past with Andreas Bakkerud taking victories in the 2013 European Rallycross championship.
“I’m really excited to be able to make the move into the Supercar class,” said Rooke. “The cars are a lot different from what I am use to so I am looking forward to learning how to drive the car and to race in the class.
“Last season I was racing in my own family run team (Dan Rooke Racing) with my dad and the guys who work in my dad’s garage. LD Motorsports will be providing me with the car and on-event support through-out the year. They will also be giving me driver training, which I’m really looking forward to.
“It’s going to be a steep learning curve given that I have never driven 4WD before and the power that the car produces is a lot more than I am use to, but I am hoping to be able to make it to the podium by the end of the year.”
Rooke impressed in the MSA RX Talent search last year but lost out to eventual winner Tom Onslow-Cole.
LD Motorsports Team Principle Liam Doran added: “We are extremely excited to be in a position to give Dan a chance to race in Supercars. If you look at his relative experience compared to what he has achieved, he’s a remarkable talent. We [LD Motorsports] have previously supported young drivers bringing them into Supercars – such as Andreas Bakkerud – which is a great way to help rallycross grow as a sport.
“We are starting a test programme with Dan next week, in time for the first round on the 6th March. It’s going to be big challenge for him for sure, but I’m confident he will be up to speed quickly.” added Doran.