Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Rallycross stars battle for Grand Prix crown at Croft Circuit


Following the success of the event in recent years, Croft Circuit stages the final round of the Shannon MSA British Rallycross Championship and Procters Coaches MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix next weekend.


More than 70 cars will do battle at the track, near Darlington, with the domestic title race coming to a climax on Saturday and the GP taking place on Sunday.


The Grand Prix is running to the same format as last year, using the traditional GP knockout format where the fastest drivers in the mixed heats will eventually progress to a 10-car final.


Kevin Procter from nearby Leeming won it in 2013 and is back to challenge in a new Ford Fiesta Supercar, last seen at the World Rallycross Championship in France.


Multiple British SuperNational champ Dave Bellerby from Northallerton is returning in a Lotus Exige and will be up against daughter Paige in a similar car.


Keeping it in the family is 16-year-old Drew who will be battling with another Northallerton driver, Charlie Bean, for championship honours in the Suzuki Swift Junior class at the penultimate round.


Other SuperNational drivers to watch out for are Stuart Emery (Peugeot 206) and Gary Dixon (Vauxhall Astra) who will be battling for championship honours.


Mathematically Dixon can win but he’d need Emery to not make the finals, such is the scoring system.


Most of the other British Championships have been wrapped up but all of the regular contenders, as well as a few additional drivers will do battle including a dozen Supercars, and also some overseas drivers in readiness for the following day’s action, including Jef Mertens, Kris Fruru and Eric Wilkinson.


There’s a three-way battle in the Suzuki Swift Sport Championship between Graham Rodemark, Tristan Ovenden and Chris Mullen and although there is one further round to go after Croft, it’s vital that all drivers score well.


Guest drivers in the Suzuki Swift series include ex-BTCC, WTCC and NSSCC driver Harry Vaulkhard as well as Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher who has raced at Croft already this season in the Porsche Supercup.


Barnard Castle hotelier ‘Mad’ Mark Watson returns after nearly a full season’s absence after rebuilding his Citroen Xsara and Pat Doran is hoping to have his RS200 ready after it was all but destroyed in a fire at Lydden earlier in the season.


The Ripla Retro Rallycross Challenge has a strong entry and the final round will be on Sunday, although not part of the GP. Bill Watson is hoping to have his brand new RS200 ready and line up against James Harrold in his 500bhp VW Beetle and Rob Gibson’s MG Metro 6R4 among others.


The Star Radio roadshow will be at Croft with bouncy castles, go-karts and quad bikes for kids. Adult admission is £10 on Saturday and £15 on Sunday with a weekend ticket costing £18. Accompanied under 16s are free, as is paddock entrance and car parking.



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