British Rallycross 2023

[chasing cars]

Just went on the Saturday, first time been to the new layout in the dry. Chessons is almost back to its original glory, the joker works better at the bottom of the hill and the time difference to the non joker section is much smaller though should note I thought the retros gave us the best racing who of course don't use it.
Still not convinced by the jump, yes it can look spectacular but as proved also breaks cars which with some classes really struggling with numbers isn't great and no doubt not good for drivers pockets.

Supercars good on numbers but still blighted by reliability issues,supernationals really struggling, rx150s look great and suit the jump but so low on numbers. Retros good on numbers and great variety of cars. Minis ok but the Swifts a bit of a yawn as usual.
So all in all a good days racing but peaked in the first heats before reliability issues hit, went through a lull in the afternoon after the supercar semis when it seemed like it was race after race of Minis and swifts before picking up again at the end by which time many had left. At least no queue to get out this time!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I made it down to Lydden on Saturday, a good day of racing all in all I thought. It's the first time I've seen racing on the revised circuit layout and I think the changes have worked. The field doesn't split at the first corner any more so you get the charge into Chessons with the full grid. The jump is gimmicky for sure but it's fun and it does add something different (and is better than the previous jump).

Originally Posted by chasing cars

Just went on the Saturday, first time been to the new layout in the dry. Chessons is almost back to its original glory, the joker works better at the bottom of the hill and the time difference to the non joker section is much smaller though should note I thought the retros gave us the best racing who of course don't use it.

Yeah, I think the jump is maybe a bit of a gimmick, but I really like the revised Chessons: full pack of cars heading into turn one at the start of a race now and enough space to get door-to-door action through that turn. Having the curb after the jump seemed to be catching a few drivers out, especially in the wet.

Nice pictures Bert: the shot of Woods on the jump with Harrold losing it in the background is excellent!

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

Any way here's my vid for anyone who interested:

https://youtu.be/D7r4VWWdGDU

Said it on Facebook, but I'll say it again here: great video and I hope your camera has made it. I had to borrow a lens off a mate for the afternoon as mine turned into a fish tank during Monday morning!

Echoing what has already been said it was a shame that the Super National class was so lacking in numbers, especially as there seemed to be loads around at the final round last year. Wasn't that keen on All4 in previous seasons (and I am still not sure it is class we need), but at least those cars were there to fill the Super National heat races out.

Patrick quick to get the measure of the Hansen 208. I think the layout has been tweaked slightly since Nitro so direct comparison is probably unfair, but I believe Patrick clocked the fastest lap on the "new" Lydden layout on Saturday. Mighty impressive stuff from Thorne, the only driver who looked capable of stopping POD and in an older car. Thought that Bennett might be able to challenge on Monday, but the car looked a real handful in the wet (or maybe Bennett was overdriving it).

Nice to see the ex-LDM DS3 making it three in a row and catching fire again; glad the damage wasn't too severe and with a few weeks gap hopefully Godfrey can give the car a through look over and have a bit more reliability next time out. Vitols has some serious speed when the car is behaving itself, fantastic recovery from him in the final on Monday after getting punted into the infield.

High rate of attrition in Super Retro, but some great racing in the class. As grim as the conditions were on Monday morning the older cars looked great splashing through the mud after the jump. Also - and maybe it is just me - but great to see all the cars caked in mud at the end of a race.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

I really like the revised Chessons: full pack of cars heading into turn one at the start of a race now and enough space to get door-to-door action through that turn.

Agreed - that's a huge improvement.

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Having the curb after the jump seemed to be catching a few drivers out, especially in the wet.

There were a few instances on Saturday where it looked like the drivers were still trying to sort out their landing when they should have been braking for the elbow. I guess if you add in wet weather and a painted kerb then that makes it more tricky. The kerb looks to be necessary though so no issues with that for me.

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Nice pictures Bert: the shot of Woods on the jump with Harrold losing it in the background is excellent!

Thanks the jump may be gimmicky but it does provide a good photo opportunity! I got lucky with the Wood/Harrold shot

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Said it on Facebook, but I'll say it again here: great video and I hope your camera has made it. I had to borrow a lens off a mate for the afternoon as mine turned into a fish tank during Monday morning!

Seconded - hope everything survived ok, I drowned a camera one year at Lydden, bought a camera cover soon after

Originally Posted by tbtstt

As grim as the conditions were on Monday morning the older cars looked great splashing through the mud after the jump. Also - and maybe it is just me - but great to see all the cars caked in mud at the end of a race.

I have to admit I seriously considered going on Monday simply because the weather was due to be awful. The bad weather does provide good action and plenty of photo opportunities with spray and filth everywhere. Some of my favourite rallycross photos I've taken have been in grim conditions.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Seconded - hope everything survived ok, I drowned a camera one year at Lydden, bought a camera cover soon after

I bought a "proper" camera cover a few years ago and couldn't get on with it, so I went back to wrapping the camera with whatever I had to hand.

After last Monday I have decided I need something better though, so will be doing a bit of Google research and shopping before I take the camera out in the rain again!

Originally Posted by BertMk2

The bad weather does provide good action and plenty of photo opportunities with spray and filth everywhere. Some of my favourite rallycross photos I've taken have been in grim conditions.

Oh yeah, absolutely. The water accumulation we now get after the jump is an unexpected perk of the new circuit layout, the splashes and spray definitely make for more interesting pictures.

Forgot to mention it in my last post, but big thumbs up for Viktor Vranckx: on a charge (no pun intended) from the outset, great advert for the RX2e I thought.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

I bought a "proper" camera cover a few years ago and couldn't get on with it, so I went back to wrapping the camera with whatever I had to hand.

After last Monday I have decided I need something better though, so will be doing a bit of Google research and shopping before I take the camera out in the rain again!

My cover is only a cheap one - basically a plastic sleeve that covers the whole camera, it's slightly irritating when it's on but it's better than losing another camera!

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Forgot to mention it in my last post, but big thumbs up for Viktor Vranckx: on a charge (no pun intended) from the outset, great advert for the RX2e I thought.

Agreed, Vranckx slotted into the supercar field nicely - the car made and interesting comparison with the electric Mini. The sound is still a big problem though, I'm still not sold on a grid of purely electric cars.

[tbtstt]

Had a lot of long days at work the last fortnight so, annoyingly, I haven't had much spare time to sort through pictures. Got there eventually!















As ever, more here:

Flickr - 5 Nations Rallycross Rounds 1 & 2 2023

For anyone who wants a look!

[BertMk2]

Top stuff as always the wet weather really adds something doesn't it? That's 'proper' rallycross for me - cars absolutely covered in grime, the spray and cars vanishing from sight in the clag thrown up by cars ahead. Much better than dry and dusty conditions!

[FIRE]

Vrankx is doing a lot of rx. Last weekend he was in Danmark for RallyX.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Top stuff as always the wet weather really adds something doesn't it? That's 'proper' rallycross for me - cars absolutely covered in grime, the spray and cars vanishing from sight in the clag thrown up by cars ahead. Much better than dry and dusty conditions!

Definitely: gives a better indication of motion and, in my eyes, makes everything more interesting.

The water splash that formed after the jump felt more like something you'd see on a rally stage!

[tbtstt]

Fifteen Supercars confirmed so far for the 5 Nations Supercar round during the World RX round at Lydden:

Jack Thorne
Tristan Ovenden
Patrick O'Donovan
Steve Hill
Dom Flitney
Michael Boak
Chris Hoy
Michael Leonard
Shane Murphy
Roger Thomas
Ollie O'Donovan
Jake Harris
Mike Sellar
Julian Godfrey
Colin Anson

Really looking forward to seeing Leonard and Murphy join the regulars.

[tbtstt]

Forgive the double post, but now seventeen Supercars with Munnich and August joining as well.

"More Supercar entries are set to be unveiled in the coming days" according to the article. Fingers crossed for an S1 or two.

[BertMk2]

That's a good looking entry, hopefully we'll see a timetable soon as well.

[MissClarrpz]

Now Bennett joining in at Lydden as well. Hopefully it's dry or he might need to sit out.

In all seriousness super good entry and mix of cars. Going to be some great racing all weekend

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by MissClarrpz

Now Bennett joining in at Lydden as well. Hopefully it's dry or he might need to sit out.

Ha, that's much what I said!

Sure I have said it here before, but I'd love to see someone else try that Mini out for a round, as I have long questioned how well it is set up. It looked like a proper handful in the wet earlier this year: wonder if that was due to poor setup or how Bennett was driving (or maybe both).

Suspect not all eighteen Supercars will last the weekend, but should be enough for decent semis and a final. I am *whispers* quite keen to see how the RX1E field performs at Lydden as well.

[Barrie]

Wouldn’t have thought it would be the end of the Supercar entries yet. If Liam is there demoing I’d be surprised if he doesn’t enter the Audi S 1

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Barrie

Wouldn’t have thought it would be the end of the Supercar entries yet. If Liam is there demoing I’d be surprised if he doesn’t enter the Audi S 1

That S1 wasn't his, I believe it is now the chassis that is being used by Ohman.

I was hoping maybe Belevisky or Ide might fancy another crack at Lydden, but that seems unlikely now. Fingers crossed we get more though!

[tbtstt]

Growing list of Retros for Lydden:

4WD:

Steve Harris - Ford RS200
Gerald Roussel - Renault Maxi 5 4x4
Liam Doran - RS200
Jacques Fontbonne - Audi S2
Philippe Tollemer - Peugeot 205 T16
Andy Grant - Ford Focus
David Halford - Audi Quattro E2
Ollie O’Donovan - Peugeot 306

2WD:

James Harrold - VW Beetle
Ray Morgan - Ford Escort
Barry Stewart - Porsche 911
John Cross - Lancia Stratos
Gary Simpson - BMW M3
Lee Wood - Ford Escort
Tony Lynch - Toyota MR2
Terry Moore - Austin Mini

[BertMk2]

That's a good looking list of 4WD retros - I assume that's racing rather than demos? Need someone to get a 6R4 out for this. Possibly Liam in the RS200 as well if he doesn't have a supercar entry?

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

That's a good looking list of 4WD retros - I assume that's racing rather than demos?

I could be remembering it wrong, but I think these have to be "demos"? (Sure there was some issue about having the Retros "racing" during the last World event?)(I might be making that up though!)

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Possibly Liam in the RS200 as well if he doesn't have a supercar entry?

Liam is in the RS200... he's on the list already!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

I could be remembering it wrong, but I think these have to be "demos"? (Sure there was some issue about having the Retros "racing" during the last World event?)(I might be making that up though!)

Ah, shame if they're not giving it the full beans.

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Liam is in the RS200... he's on the list already!

Oops, how did I not see that?

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Ah, shame if they're not giving it the full beans.

I suspect some of them will be, er, "demoing" harder than others. Pretty sure Ollie O'Donovan and Liam will be trying.

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Oops, how did I not see that?

[tbtstt]

Current Supercar...



...and Retro...



...entries for Lydden.

Few surprises on the Retro list; seems Anson has the Astra running again, another 205 T16 in the mix and Pat in a 2WD Escort? I wonder if that is someones spare Mk.1 or Mk.2 Escort, or if they have resurrected the old EsCos as a 2WD car?

[tbtstt]

Sorry, triple post from me, but a few snaps of the 5 Nations/Retro drivers from the World round last month...















...more pictures of the entire weekend here:

World Rallycross Championship Round 4 2023 - Lydden Hill

If anyone is interested.

[BertMk2]

Great pictures as always Some really good ones of the RS200 in particular (has to be said the retros in general are the best looking cars). Are all of those photos from the same day or spread across both?

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Are all of those photos from the same day or spread across both?

Spread across both: hence why it looks sunny and warm in some and wet and miserable in others!

Shame Liam didn't get a few more runs on Sunday, as I was hoping to see him really lighting the tyres up in the dry.