The FIA World Rallycross was due to hold round 5 of the 2023 season at Lydden Hill this weekend but on Friday evening they issued the following statement after an incident in the paddock area at Lydden Hill.
“FIA World Rallycross Promoter, in alignment with the FIA, has issued the following statement relating to an incident which took place on Friday (21 July) morning at Lydden Hill.
Following a fire in the service area of the Special ONE Racing team at Lydden Hill Race Circuit in Kent, England today (Friday, 21 July), the FIA World Rallycross Championship races scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 22 July) will not take place while investigations continue regarding the cause of the fire.
The fire began just before 08:45, with fire crews working hard to bring it under control and extinguish it as swiftly as possible. Regrettably, the entire Special ONE Racing area was burnt down, including both of their RX1e cars. There were no injuries and no other racing cars were affected.”
RX2e Day One
Tommi Hallman did not let his lack of experience in the FIA RX2e Championship hold him back at Lydden Hill today (22 July), as he dominated the opening two heats to take an early lead in round three of the series’ 2023 campaign.
Hallman might be a newcomer in RX2e, but his reputation precedes him, having established himself as the benchmark in rallycross’ Supercar Lites category in recent years. After setting the pace in qualifying practice in Britain, the flying Finn then produced a flawless performance to win heat one – but he had to work rather harder in heat two.
With rain transforming the track surface and leaving a water splash just after the landing from the jump, competitors faced a very different challenge from earlier on and from pole position, Hallman found himself shuffled back to fourth position at the start.
Unleashing a scintillating turn of speed, however, the 22-year-old deployed an early joker strategy to perfection and fought his way back to the front of the field to complete a clean sweep and top the overnight standings.
Defending champion Viktor Vranckx sits second, unable to live with Hallman’s prodigious pace but keeping himself firmly in the hunt as he targets his first victory of the season. Kristoffersson Motorsport protégé Nils Andersson – who came out of the blocks quickest in free practice – is just behind in third, with Höljes winner Ole Henry Steinsholt fourth and championship leader Isak Sjökvist rounding out the top five for Hansen Motorsport junior outfit #YellowSquad.
The RX2e action at Lydden Hill continues tomorrow (Sunday, 23 July) with the remaining two heats, semi-finals and points-paying final. All of the racing will be broadcast live on RX+.
