Double European Rallycross Champion Derek Tohill remains firmly in the hunt for the 2025 Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy title following a dramatic mid-season clash at Pembrey Circuit, South Wales over the weekend of July 26–27.
Having secured a last-minute switch to a Peugeot 208 WRX with top French outfit DA Racing ahead of the season, Tohill arrived at Pembrey level on points with reigning British and European champion Patrick O’Donovan. The pair had each claimed two runner-up finishes at Lydden Hill’s season opener and maximum scores during the Irishman’s triumphant home round at Mondello Park in May.
In addition to his BRX and RallyX commitments, Tohill has also been expanding his horizons in the ultra-competitive French Rallycross Championship, with appearances at both Faleyras and Châteauroux.
Pembrey marked the midway point of the BRX campaign—and it was O’Donovan who stole the spotlight. In a commanding performance, the Team RX Racing driver swept every session on Saturday. After nailing the launch in the all-important final, O’Donovan eased away from the pack to clinch his third victory of the year.
Tohill, also in a Peugeot 208, qualified second and held his ground throughout the final, shadowing O’Donovan to finish as runner-up. Meanwhile, Ollie O’Donovan overcame a sluggish start to charge from fourth to third in the opening corners. He responded perfectly to a strategic early joker from Tristan Ovenden, emerging ahead and defending tenaciously to secure a return to the podium for the Proton Iriz.
Ovenden brought his Citroën DS3 home in fourth—his best result of the season—followed by JGE Team Goody Rallycross teammate Julian Godfrey, and MMS RX Team IRL’s John McCluskey in sixth.
Sunday saw the circuit run in reverse, adding another twist to the title battle. Again, it was Patrick O’Donovan who set the pace in qualifying, taking pole position ahead of Ollie O’Donovan and Tohill.
At lights out, it was Tohill who surged into the lead with a textbook launch. However, contact during a robust challenge from O’Donovan at turn two left the Irishman’s 208 WRX with rear suspension damage, forcing his retirement from the final.
That left Ollie O’Donovan to inherit second place, defending successfully from McCluskey in the closing laps. However, McCluskey’s efforts were undone post-race by track limits penalties, which promoted Godfrey to third, Ovenden to fourth, and Gary Donoghue to fifth. McCluskey was classified sixth.
As the championship heads toward its final stretch, Patrick O’Donovan now holds the advantage at the top of the Drivers’ standings, ahead of Tohill and Godfrey. In the Teams’ Championship, Team RX Racing continues to lead the way.
The RacerViews info
By Matt Hancock
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