Lydden Hill played host to the opening round of the 2023 Motorsport UK, 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship on Easter Saturday. Patrick O’Donovan, returned to defend his 2022 championship win in a Hansen Motorsport built Peugeot 208 WRX. Two former champions also joined O’Donovan on the grid, Julian Godfrey, who is now driving a LD Motorsports-built Citroen DS3 and 2007 title winner Ollie O’Donovan in his Proton Iriz RX Supercar.
Also for the first time in British Rallycross history, electric cars were seen to join the Supercar line up. Belgian star Viktor Vranckx with his FIA RX2e and Steve and Jake Harris with their SH Racing’s Mini RX of which is based on a Prodrive-developed WRC and World RX chassis and fitted with a three-motor 4WD 612bhp powertrain developed by Austrian firm STARD.
Round One
Patrick O’Donovan in his Peugeot 208 showed blistering pace through out the day and managed to set the fastest times for both Q1 and Q2. O’Donovan then started his semi final in the same manner until he was forced to retire with what apparently seemed to be a gear box issue. Michael Sellar and Michael Boak were also none finishers in semi final one. Ollie O’Donovan went on to finish first and thus placing himself on the first row of the grid for the final. The second semi final was won by Jack Thorne who was also setting blistering times in his Peugeot 208 as he managed to secure a front row grid position for the final. The third front row spot went to second place winner Viktor Vranckx.
Jack Thorne led the final from the off with Ollie O’Donovan close behind, however Patrick O’Donovan managed to move up three places to fourth after starting in seventh place on the grid. Within a couple of laps Patrick O’Donovan was up to second and chasing down Thorne. Patrick O’Donovan eventually manged to take the lead on the last lap and win the race with Thorne in second and Vranckx in third. Latvian driver Roberts Vitols in his Duo Citroen C4 finished fourth with Ollie O’Donovan in fifth.
The second round of 5 Nations BRX takes place on Easter Monday (April 10) at Lydden Hill.
For an overview of all the other race action head over to BRX Lydden
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By Matt Hancock
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