Tag: Toyo Tires Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship

The Toyo Tires Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship will roar into life this Sunday (March 24) with Silverstone playing host to what is expected to be an edge of the seats 2019 season-opener.

Providing thrills and spills at almost every turn last year, the championship is aiming to scale new heights as it embarks on another pulsating campaign which will see four venues visited over the course of the year.

Albatec Racing’s Mark Higgins clinched the 2018 title however the reigning champion won’t be on the grid for the opening round. Instead, many eyes will be focused on former champions Ollie O’Donovan and Julian Godfrey, both of whom narrowly missed out on beating Higgins last year.

Bidding to become a six-time champion, Godfrey returns behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi Mirage he campaigned last year, whilst O’Donovan will pilot his striking yellow Ford Fiesta.

Former British champions Pat Doran and Steve Mundy will also line up on the grid at the Northamptonshire venue. Elsewhere many will be keen to see how Irish champion Derek Tohill gets on in his Fiesta.

Rounding out the grid for the opening round of the season in the Supercar category will be Liam and Mike Manning, Steve Hill and World Rallycross competitor Oliver Bennett.

Whilst the Supercar class is set to be the main event, the British Rallycross Championship once again has a feast of supporting categories too, including the Motorsport UK Supernational Championship and Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship.

Notable names to look out for across both championships include Paul Coney, Tristan Ovenden, Paige Bellerby, and the Constantine brothers, James and Luke.

Elsewhere the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship, BMW Mini Rallycross Championship, Retro Rallycross Championship and RX150 Championship will all be in action too.

To ensure you don’t miss a second of the action this weekend, head to the official event page here.

Mark Higgins returned to the summit of the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship standings on Bank Holiday Monday (August 27) after scoring victory at Lydden Hill.

Entering the seventh event of the season tied for second in the standings with Ollie O’Donovan, just a single point behind series leader Julian Godfrey, Higgins claimed his second win of the season after inheriting top spot following a time penalty for on the road victor O’Donovan.

As opposed to the last time the championship competed at Lydden Hill earlier in the year, dry conditions greeted teams and drivers with Albatec Racing’s Higgins setting the early pace as the led the way following the first block of qualifying races.

Five-time champion Godfrey came to the fore in the second block of races, piloting his Mitsubishi Mirage to a rapid time before Higgins underlined his speed by being fastest in the final round of qualifying encounters.

In the final, Higgins made his customary lightening start to lead into the first corner. Heading into the hairpin O’Donovan made his move, lunging down the inside of the Peugeot 208 driver and making contact with the side of Higgins’ machine.

Despite producing a spirited fightback, the triple British Rally champion charged back into second place but was unable to stop O’Donovan out front. After the chequered flag fell, O’Donovan was issued a two second time penalty for his part in the opening lap incident with Higgins, handing the latter victory.

Rounding out the podium behind Higgins and O’Donovan was the returning Oliver Bennett, who was back in the series making a one-off appearance.

Tristan Ovenden extended his advantage in the MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship as he delivered a dominant display at his home circuit.

The MSA Junior Rallycross Championship had a Constantine feel to it as the trio of namesakes locked out the podium. Tom Constantine produced another storming performance to take victory ahead of Luke and James.

Morgan Bailey and David Bell were the winners in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship and BMW Mini Rallycross Championship respectively whilst British RX Supercar racer Steve Harris made his maiden competitive appearance in a restored Ford RS200 to win the Retro Rallycross Championship final.

Finally, the RX150 Championship served up an exciting days racing with Chrissy Palmer underlining his class with victory in the final. Palmer didn’t have things his own way however with guest driver Tom Onslow-Cole being constant thorn in his side throughout the day, ultimately finishing second.

The Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship heads back to Pembrey on September for the penultimate event of the 2018 season, with the title battle set to further intensify as it approaches an enthralling climax.

The three-way title fight for the 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship is set to further intensify at Lydden Hill on August 27 as the series stages its traditional August Bank Holiday Monday meeting.

In what has been a pulsating campaign so far, just a single point separates the top three in the standings heading into the seventh event of the season.

Five-time champion Julian Godfrey currently holds that slender one-point advantage after scoring victory at Croft last time out. Having been on the pace at every round, the Mitsubishi Mirage driver will be keen to bridge the gap to his rivals at this home round.

Tied on points for second and hot on the heels of Godfrey is former champion Ollie O’Donovan and Albatec Racing’s Mark Higgins.

Three wins on the bounce had propelled O’Donovan to the summit of the points earlier in the season however a low-scoring round last time out as seen him drop to second in table.

Higgins meanwhile has been a revelation in his first full season of British Rallycross action, producing a string of eye-catching performances which have included a win at the corresponding Lydden Hill event earlier in the year.

Beyond the top three are a host of other drivers that will all be keen to get amongst the front runners and onto the podium. Former champion Kevin Proctor has endured a varied year whilst Steve Hill, Mad Mark, Andy Grant and Steve Mundy are all drivers to lookout for too.

Jake Harris will also make a welcome return to the series as he gets back behind the wheel of the LD Motorsport Citroen DS3.

In addition to the Supercar category, fans heading trackside for the day can expect to see plenty of high-octane thrills and spills from a stellar supporting cast too.

Action from the MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship, MSA Junior Rallycross Championship, Swift Sport Championship, BMW Mini Championship, Retro Rallycross Championship and the RX150 Championship will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Julian Godfrey propelled himself to the top of the standings in the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship this past Sunday (July 29), taking victory at Croft Circuit in round six.

Visiting North Yorkshire for the second time this season, the series battled it out in contrasting conditions to last time, with heavy rain added further spice to the action in front of a hearty crowd.

Entering the weekend third in the points, five-time champion Godfrey produced a stellar performance to take a maximum score, vaulting himself to the summit of the leaderboard.

Kevin Proctor led the way in two of the three heats in the run to the final, with Godfrey the other pace setter. Come the end of the day however nobody could stop the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage as he got a good start and converted his front row start into a lead that he ultimately never lost.

Behind, Ollie O’Donovan saw his hopes of a podium disappear whilst giving chase to Godfrey and Proctor. The Ford Focus driver suffered broken right front suspension and finished the contest sixth, leaving him tied for second overall with Mark Higgins, a point off Godfrey.

Higgins benefitted from O’Donovan’s woes to round off the podium with Steve Hill and Liam Manning rounding out the top five.

Elsewhere reigning MSA Supernational Rallycross champion Tristan Ovenden overcame the challenging conditions to clinch his fourth victory of the season ahead of local star Paige Bellerby and Paul Coney.

Solberg Hansen recorded his second win in the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship as it boasted a record 12 drivers that started. As others lost their way during the final encounter, Hansen held his nerve to thread his way into the lead and power to victory ahead of Patrick O’Donovan and Ben Sayer.

Morgan Bailey delivered a champions performance in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship to pip Tom Llewellin and Simon Ovenden after a race-long battle.

There were two attempts to run the BMW Mini Rallycross Championship final but when it came to a close, David Bell emerged as the victor and in-doing so took the lead of the points too.

Rounding out the list of winners from a wet and wild weekend was Gary Dixon in the Retro Rallycross Championship final following a monumental scrap with James Harrold, Gary Simpson, Jason Bowes and Ian Biagi.

The Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship returns to Croft Circuit this Sunday (July 29) for round six of what is proving to an exciting and unpredictable 2018 season.

Following a short summer break, the series resumes in North Yorkshire with sideways, high-octane thrills firmly high on the agenda in the forecasted searing sun.

It was in May that the British Rallycross contingent last visited Croft and fans were treated to a flat-out day of track action as the leading lights went wheel-to-wheel, and some even into the air – Julian Godfrey walking away unscathed from a scary roll and subsequent fire in his Mitsubishi Mirage.

Ollie O’Donovan walked away as the victor in the end and the Irishman arrives at Croft in control of the point’s standings. Three wins on the bounce has propelled the Ford driver to the summit, six points ahead of his nearest challenger Mark Higgins, who has been a revelation in his maiden season in the series.

A further four points back in the championship is multiple title winner Godfrey, who is keen to add another crown to his ever-growing list of accomplishments. These three will likely be the ones to watch in the Supercar category however there are a host of others that are all also sighting glory around the challenging Croft layout.

Local drivers Mad Mark and Kevin Proctor will be keen to put on a show in front of their home crowd whilst Steve Hill, Roger Thomas, Steve Mundy and Liam Manning make up the entry list in the flagship championship.

Aside from the Supercar action this weekend, fans will also have plenty of other categories to watch, undoubtedly keeping them on the edge-of-their seats.

Races from the MSA Supernational Championship (incl. Super 1600), MSA Junior Rallycross Championship, Swift Sport Championship, BMW Mini Championship, Retro Rallycross and Super Retro Rallycross will all be on the billing too.

Tickets will be available to purchase on the day, priced at £18 per person whilst children 15 and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Gates will open at 08:30 and track action will kick off at 09:30.

Ollie O’Donovan made it three different winners from three events as the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship entertained a bumper crowd at Croft Circuit this past Sunday (May 6).

In what is the first of two visits that the mixed surface series will make to the North Yorkshire venue this year, searing temperatures meant that it proved to be a scorching day both on and off the track.

Having qualified second on the grid for the Supercar final, 2007 champion O’Donovan found himself with an easier task of taking the lead after two restarts. Firstly Steve Hill retired from the first running with engine problems before pole sitter Andy Scott jumped the start of the restart, leaving the Irishman the sole occupant of the front row.

Leading from lights-to-flag, the Ford Focus driver withstood late pressure from round two winner Mark Higgins to clinch victory by 0.061 – the closest finish the championship has seen in recent memory.

Virtue of his second place finish, Albatec Racing’s Higgins has now vaulted himself to the summit of the points standings, whilst team-mate Scott made it a day to remember for the squad as he rounded out the rostrum by finishing third.

Fourth place in the final went the way of Croft local Mad Mark Watson in his Citroen Xsara whilst Hill was classified fifth overall, despite not completing the race distance.

Julian Godfrey found himself ins serious strife in the final too as he became embroiled in Hill’s exit from the final. Entering the weekend as the points leader, Godfrey glanced the side of Hill’s Mitsubishi, sending him into a series of rolls – the five-time champion walked away from the incident unharmed.

In the MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship, Renault Clio V6 racer Tristan Ovenden made the most of the conditions to dominate proceedings – setting the fastest time in each of the three qualifiers before then winning his semi-final and the overall final.

Tom Constantine made it back-to-back victories in the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship whilst Morgan Bailey did the same in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship.

Elsewhere, David Bell was the winner of the BMW Mini Rallycross Championship encounter whilst RX150 Rallycross Championship points leader Chrissy Palmer further cemented his status as the man to beat with another victory.

Rounding off the action was the Retro Rallycross Championship, where Barry Stewart piloted his Porsche 911 to the chequered flag, narrowly pipping former title winner Ray Morgan.

For the full classification of results, click here.

The next round of the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship will see the series descend on South Wales for rounds four and five at Pembrey, on June 23/24.

The Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship speeds into Croft this Sunday (May 6) for round three of what is proving to be another highly competitive season.

Events at Silverstone and Lydden Hill, both in treacherous weather conditions, have set the scene for a captivating third chapter of the year, with a host of contenders set to challenge for victory.

Five-time champion Julian Godfrey arrives at the North Yorkshire circuit in control of the points, holding a slender four-point advantage. At the wheel of the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi, Godfrey was the best of the Brits at the season-opener, scooping 30 points in the process.

Another strong showing at Lydden Hill, finishing in second, leaves him in a favourable position for Croft. Hot on his heels however is Albatec Racing’s Mark Higgins, who has recently confirmed he will be competing in the British round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

On just his second outing in the series last time out, Higgins powered his Peugeot to victory in the wet at Lydden, cementing himself as a title contender. With just four points separating himself and Godfrey at the top of the standings, all eyes will be on the duo to see who gains the upper hand this weekend.

Beyond them, a mere four points separate Steve Hill, Ollie O’Donovan and Roger Thomas; all of whom also remain within striking distance of Godfrey and Higgins.

There will be plenty for local fans to cheer about too with home heroes Kevin Proctor, Mad Mark Watson and Dave Bellerby all competing across the different championships.

On top of the Supercar category, there will also be action from the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship, MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship, Retro Rallycross Championship, RX150 Rallycross Championship, BMW Mini Rallycross Championship, Super1600 Rallycross Championship and Swift Sport Rallycross Championship.

In the Retro Rallycross category, a special tribute will also be paid to Jordan Bowes, who tragically lost his life in a road accident late last year. Having undergone a winter of work and redevelopment, Bowes’ brother Jason will race Jordan’s Volkswagen Golf Mk1 in what is hoped to be the first of many outings.

Tickets are available to purchase on the gate from £18.00 with race programmes also available to buy from as little as £3.00. Track action is scheduled to get underway at 09:30 with practice before a full day of racing.

The 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship will go down to the wire following a frenetic eighth round of the season at Pembrey on Sunday (September 23), won by five-time champion Julian Godfrey.

On what was the second visit to the Welsh venue this year by the series, Godfrey produced a superlative performance at the wheel of his Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage to remain in title contention alongside Ollie O’Donovan and Mark Higgins.

With the introduction of a new first corner configuration being implemented, the action proved to be fast and furious as Godfrey surged to his third victory of the year.

Starting second on the grid for the final, Godfrey made the best start to launch into the lead whilst Albatec Racing’s Higgins spun out of contention following contact. As Godfrey powered away from his rivals, O’Donovan held station in second.

Further back, Higgins continued his recovery by climbing into fourth at the end of lap one and then taking his joker lap early. Fourth soon became third as Higgins overhauled Tom Bardy and that was to be how it finished as Godfrey underlined his title credentials.

As the final round’s score must be counted, each driver has now dropped their worse two scores from the first eight rounds of the year, meaning O’Donovan leads the standings by four points from Godfrey, with Higgins another point further back.

In the MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship, Tristan Ovenden took another step closer to retaining his crown with an impressive sixth victory of the season. Having been in the mix throughout the day, the Renault Clio V6 driver was

Luke Constantine moved into the lead of the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship standings following victory after a back-and-forth duel with brother Tom. Elsewhere, Simon Ovenden won the eighth round of the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship however his triumph wasn’t enough to stop Morgan Bailey from claiming title honours.

David Bell was perfection personified in the BMW Mini Rallycross Championship as he cantered to his fourth win of the season.

Capping off the list of race winners was Roger Thomas who piloted his freshly-restored MG Metro 654 to the top of the podium in the Retro Rallycross Championship.

Next up at Pembrey is the second visit of the British Truck Racing Association Championship, which takes place on October 13/14. For more information on the event, click here.
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