The 5 Nations British Rallycross headed to Wales at the weekend with a welcome return to the Pembrey circuit for rounds 7 and 8 of the 2023 season. Some major changes have been made to the Pembrey Circuit layout for the 2023 rounds. Of which includes, changing the sequence of corners that begin the lap when the cars are racing in an anti-clockwise direction thus by removing the first tarmac chicane. The Joker lap has also been changed.
“The move has been made the allow cars to spread out in the anti-clockwise direction and not ‘bottleneck’ into turn one. Other changes to improve the opening section of the lap include relocation of the start area, which is now further back from the first corner.”
Saturday started with what looked like a wet affair thanks to storm Betty, but this soon changed as the strong winds helped to move the bad weather through and the weekend remained settled but windy.
Joining the UK-based supercar drivers were several of the competitors from the Irish Rallycross Championship, including Derek Tohill.
With Patrick O’Donovan away on Euro RX 1 duties in Germany the door seemed to be open to several contenders to take the points across the weekend. Julian Godfrey and Tristan Ovenden were both well placed to capitalise on the omission of young O’Donovan but this was not to be. Fourth-placed Jack Thorne, who entered this weekend without a win so far this season took the weekend in his stride and claimed both wins. This now means that he is sitting top of the leaderboard for the 2023 season of the 5 Nations British Rallycross.
The results from Saturday were as follows
- Jack THORNE GBR Peugeot 208
- Tristan OVENDEN ENG Citroën DS3
- Ollie O DONOVAN IRL Ford Focus
- Jake HARRIS GBR BMW Mini Countryman
- Pat DORAN GBR Citroën C4
- Julian GODFREY Citroën DS3
Sunday would now see the drivers take to the circuit in the opposite direction to Saturday and after an unsettled few warm up laps the drivers soon got to grip with the new circuit changes. Thorne would finish second on track to Irish driver Derek Tohill (Ford Fiesta), who was not registered for points, and Thorne would therefore take the max points available. O’Donovan wound up second, with Ovenden third. Harris and Godfrey completed the order.
Pat Doran had an accident during the morning sessions and 5 Nations BRX later released the following statement.
“Supercar driver Pat Doran had an incident during the opening heat of Round 8 at Pembrey Circuit today and was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition. Everyone at 5 Nations BRX wishes Pat a speedy recovery.”
At this time no more is known, but we all here at Racerviews wish him a speedy recovery.
The results from Sunday were as follows
1. Derek Tohill IRX_SC
2. Jack THORNE GBR Peugeot 208
3. Ollie O DONOVAN IRL Ford Focus
4. Tristan OVENDEN ENG Citroën DS3
5. Michael LEONARD IRL Ford Fiesta
6. Jake HARRIS GBR BMW Mini Countryman
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