British Rallycross

Ovenden Claims His Maiden Win in The 5 Nations BRX at Mondello Park

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Tristan Ovenden Celebrating His Maiden Win. Photo credit: 5 Nations BRX

Triple Supernational rallycross champion Tristan Ovenden dominated at Mondello Park in round five of the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy to claim his maiden Supercar victory.
As the 5 Nations BRX drivers joined competitors from the Irish Rallycross Championship at the Naas circuit for the first time since 2017, Citroen DS3 driver Ovenden set a pair of fastest times in qualifying to secure pole position for the semi-finals, in which he finished second to reigning champion to Derek Tohill. But, when Tohill twice jumped the start in the final due to a clutch problem and was disqualified, and semi-final two winner Patrick O’Donovan dropped down the order, Ovenden led from the front, hounded by six-time champion Julian Godfrey, to take his first win. Steve Hill ran third for most of the race in his Mitsubishi Evo, including after the joker lap strategies had played out, but he ran wide at turn one on lap five and fell behind returning 2006 Champion Christopher Evans, who finished third.

Tristan Ovenden Racing at Mondello Park. Photo credit: Matt Bristow [www.mattbristow.net]

In the amalgamated Irish Rallycross Championship and 5 Nations BRX Supernational category, Philip Kelly topped the order after qualifying in his Toyota MR2, with Kelly and Jason Bleasdale taking a semi-final win apiece. It was Bleasdale however that came out on top when it mattered and claimed another top-step finish. Paige Bellerby was fifth on the road but second of the 5 Nations BRX drivers. 

Bleasdale Ahead of Bellerby in the Supernationals. Photo credit: 5 Nations BRX

Owen Robbins led the Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship final on the opening lap as Will Ovenden ran wide at turn one. From the front, Robbins took his joker lap first, but ultimately lost out on the victory to reigning champion Max Langmaid, who won by just 1.5 seconds. Ovenden was third.

Ovenden Chasing Robbins in the Junior Class. Photo credit: 5 Nations BRX

In the BMW MINI Rallycross Championship, Dave Bellerby dominated qualifying before he also won his semi-final, while Bellerby and Bradley Turner took the other semi-final victory. Bellerby then won the final from the front to extend his championship lead, as Turner finished second and Constantine was third. David Bell took the ALL4 Mini win at Mondello having lost out to Martin Hawkes at Pembrey, the latter finishing second in round five.

The BMW Minis Racing Hard at Mondello Park. Photo credit: 5 Nations BRX

Luke Constantine claimed Q2 and Q3 victory in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship before winning the final ahead of Max Weatherley and Q1 victor James Constantine. Weatherley now leads the standings by six points from Luke Constantine, with James Constantine just a point behind in third.

The Suzuki Swifts Door To Door Racing. Photo credit: 5 Nations BRX

RX150 Championship guest racer Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky topped qualifying but 2020 champion and 2021 vice-champion Stephen Jones executed a strong joker lap strategy in the final to take the win, ahead of newcomer Ed Synan in second. Ben Hardy claimed another podium in his maiden season, with a third place finish.

The RX150s in Action at Mondello Park. Photo credit: 5 Nations BRX
Full 2022 5 Nations BRX Calendar

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