Round seven of the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy was held at Pembrey Circuit in Wales on August 27, where after an intense day of action in baking hot sunshine, young Patrick O’Donovan claimed a fourth win of the season. O’Donovan battled to victory in semi-final two in his brightly liveried Ford Fiesta despite dropping to last place on the opening lap, then started on pole position for the final, which he led from the front, only dropping to second position for a single lap when he took his compulsory extra-route joker a lap earlier than returning former champion Nathan Heathcote in his loaned Citroen C4. The 2017 champion Heathcote built momentum throughout the day on his return to the 5 Nations BRX and was rewarded with runner-up position, while six-time champion Julian Godfrey finished in third place.
There was plenty of action going on further down the field including the Citroen DS3 of Michael Sellar catching fire on the final lap, ahead of Steve Hill‘s Mitsubishi Evo getting pushed off the track in the opening corner. The Ford Focus of 2007 Champion Ollie O’Donovan suffered a front-left puncture and Tristan Ovenden‘s Citroen DS3 was hampered from the opening lap with a broken intercooler following first corner contact. Reigning champion Derek Tohill didn’t make the final, his Ford Fiesta suffered a broken left-rear suspension after contact from Godfrey and Welshman Roger Thomas retired his Ford Fiesta after the opening heat with clutch issues.
Mechanical troubles for Jason Bleasdale‘s Vauxhall VX220 ended the Motorsport UK Supernational Rallycross Championship points’ leaders charge as he was forced to pull off the track straight after the start of the final, leaving his brother Darren to battle with the Lotus Exige of Paige Bellerby for the win. After a very close battle, Darren Bleasdale came out on top to secure his first 5 Nations BRX victory, but only just 0.6 seconds ahead of Bellerby.
Over in the Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship, Owen Robbins, Max Watt and Max Langmaid took a qualifying race win each, with Robbins securing pole position for the final. Watt lost out in a three-wide turn-one battle in the final, where Will Ovenden made up ground and overtook Robbins for the lead on lap three, an advantage he would retain to the finish to claim victory ahead of title contenders Robbins and Langmaid.
Bradley Turner’s win in qualifying one of the BMW MINI Rallycross Championship was the only blot on veteran driver Dave Bellerby’s scorecard throughout the day. The championship leader then winning every other time he hit the circuit to claim another overall win in a strong season to extended his championship advantage. Andrew Hawkes overcame a broken driveshaft in qualifying to finish second, with Tom Constantine coming home in third place.
ALL4 MINI newcomer Edward Stallard went straight to the top step of the podium on his debut in the category with a brand-new car, beating series leader David Bell and Martin Hawkes to the finish flag. However, Bell claimed the crown.
Terry Moore‘s Austin Mini started on pole for the Retro Rallycross Championship final, alongside the Toyota MR2 of championship leader Tony Lynch but despite a strong challenge could find no way to overtake Lynch, the latter securing the 2022 title. Rob Buckmaster took third in his vintage Ford Fiesta.
John Cross didn’t take it easy to preserve his significant Super Retro Championship lead with his awesome Lancia Stratos, taking maximum points from the event and the final win, despite stiff opposition from Allan Tapscott‘s Ford Escort who pushed Cross hard in his return to the series as Cross secured the Super Retro crown. The Peugeot 205 of Nigel Davey took third when Ray Morgan‘s Ford Escort spun on the final lap.
In the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship, Max Weatherley gained a valuable championship boost by dominating the final in the single-make Swift Sport category to extend his series lead. Behind him, cousins James and Luke Constantine battled for the runner-up position with James eventually taking that spot, while Chris O’Hara returned to the series and finished fourth. Weatherley leads the standings by four points.
Another stellar line-up in the RX150 Championship brought serious challenges to the regular contenders and it was Nissan driver Jann Mardenborough who took the win ahead of double W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick. Ben Hardy finished third, the latter doing enough in the eighth round of the series to claim the 2022 title.
Racing continues at Pembrey in round 8 on Sunday 28th August.
