British RallycrossRallycross

Father and son to take on Suzuki Swift challenge in 2020

2 Mins read
Corey Padgett with his Swift
Corey Padgett with his Suzuki Swift. Photo Credit: Motorsport UK

Corey Padgett has been competing in grass track racing for the past two years and now that he has reached the required minimum age of 14 years old, has just confirmed his participation in this year’s MSUK Junior Rallycross Championship, part of Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Presented by Cooper Tires.

Making his rallycross debut in the final Winterseries event at Lydden Hill Race Circuit in March 2020 with a Citreon C2 brought for him by his parents, Padgett experienced one of the downsides to motorsport, a mechanical fault. In this case, it was a clutch issue during his first qualifying heat but he did not let this dampen his enthusiasm and he went on to finish fifth.

Corey Padgett in his Swift
Corey Padgett’s Suzuki Swift in action. Photo Credit: Motorsport UK

“It was a great weekend at Lydden Hill, and I just can’t wait to go racing properly in 5 Nations BRX.” said Padgett. “I’ll still be doing grass track racing, and the BTRDA Championship to give me additional seat-time.”

His father Phil Chicken is more well known to rallycross fans as a competitor in the Super 1600 class with his Citreon C2. This car has now been converted to full rally specification as Chicken was due to retire from rallycross and concentrate on rallying.

That was before young Padgett managed to convince his dad into racing with him once again and now Chicken has decided to return to the sport and out of semi-retirement. He will be competing in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship, at least for the 2020 season. We shall have to see if he continues into further years alongside his son.

Phil Chicken in his Citroen C2
Phil Chicken in his Citroen C2. Photo Credit: Motorsport UK

“We bought Corey the Swift for Christmas as it was clear that’s where his ambitions lie. The C2 is all ready for rallying and I thought I’d have a go at a couple of rallies this year and then probably sell the car.” Stated Chicken. “But Corey was determined we should rallycross together and chose his moment well, after a bottle of wine, to convince me to do it! So, we did Lydden in March and I finished third, and actually now it’s given me the bug again to do 5 Nations BRX this year.” 

The Swift Sport Rallycross Championship and MSUK British Junior Rallycross Championship will both compete over seven rounds in 2020, starting with a single header round at Lydden Hill over the Bank Holiday Weekend (30/31 August). This is followed by double-header rounds at Knockhill over the weekend of 26/27 September, Pembrey over the weekend of 17/18 October and finishing at Mondello Park in mid-November (14/15).

Avatar photo
78 posts

About author
Motorsport Journalist. Natural born Petrolhead and Radio Broadcaster.
Articles
Related posts
British Rallycross

Patrick O'Donovan challenges the French to close in on Thorne's championship lead

2 Mins read
In an electrifying Rallycross France finale, Patrick O’Donovan claimed the top British spot, while Jack Thorne held strong in second. O’Donovan’s fourth-place overall sets the stage for a thrilling British Rallycross Championship showdown at Lydden Hill.
NitrocrossOff RoadRallycross

Nitrocross Improves on genesis track at Utah Motorsport Campus

2 Mins read
Nitrocross updates Utah Motorsport Campus with new tarmac, additional tabletop jumps, and more Talledega Turns.
NitrocrossOff RoadRallycross

Conor Daly Returns to Nitrocross in Salt Lake City

1 Mins read
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing have announced that Conor Daly will once again return to Group E for Nitrocross Rounds 2 and 3.