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5 Dec 2023, 11:04 (Ref:4188328) | #1 | ||
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British Rallycross 2024
5 Nations calendar for the year revealed this morning:
30 March/1 April - Lydden Hill 25/26 May - Mondello Park 20/21 July - Lydden Hill* 17 August - Lydden Hill** TBC - Pembrey 2/3 November - Lydden Hill * Supercars and Juniors only, part of the Lydden Legend Festival ** 2WD classes only: joint event with BTRDA? Great year for those of us in the South, but maybe not so great for those elsewhere. Shame to see the joint event with the French Championship dropped as well, though maybe not surprising given the reduction in attendees for Dreux this year. And a joint event with the BTRDA? Has the unthinkable happened? Do we have peace in our time? |
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6 Dec 2023, 18:22 (Ref:4188469) | #2 | |||
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That looks like a good selection of meetings. Just need a decent European meeting at Lydden and you'll be in rallycross heaven! Last edited by AndyS; 6 Dec 2023 at 18:31. |
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7 Dec 2023, 16:21 (Ref:4188571) | #3 | |||
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I can see the calendar this year being a bit of a blow for rallycross fans in the North, but I think the Championship are doing their best with what is available to them and what is best (financially) for the competitors. I loved the two trips to Dreux the last two years, but the dropping entry numbers for that event and the 2WD round in Belgium, indicated that wasn't what the drivers wanted. Also really pleased to see the 5 Nations/BTRDA link up. More than ever I think the sport needs to be unified if it is to survive, I hope that the relationship there continues. |
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7 Dec 2023, 20:09 (Ref:4188591) | #4 | |||
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We haven't had rallycross in the North for a while now, so calender was no surprise. From my limited knowledge it looks dead and buried at Croft, certainly for the foreseeable future. No chance of any new venues. Blyton I've never taken to and Knockhill is the best part of 4 hours away, which isn't worth it for what are usually pretty poor entries. I'd love to go to Lydden but just way too far. Could have just about justified it when WRX was it's height but not now. |
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7 Dec 2023, 21:21 (Ref:4188597) | #5 | ||
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Yep its going to be an expensive time making the trips down to Lydden from Newcastle and back next year, tho ill try and get to as many as i can. The lack of venues that are available is a real problem and unfortunately I cant really see that changing any time soon, tho ill still hope that Croft will return one day
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8 Dec 2023, 09:03 (Ref:4188629) | #6 | ||||||
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After seeing the connection established between 5 Nations and BTRDA, I'm ready to believe anything can happen now! Quote:
I'd really like to go to Knockhill as I have heard praise for the layout of the rallycross circuit, but it is in deepest, darkest, Scotland and is pretty much the opposite end of the country to me. Quote:
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8 Dec 2023, 13:11 (Ref:4188646) | #7 | |||
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In his words 'it's not for us to support local rallying' or something along similar lines. The inference was support as in financially. Presumably it was a money thing, which has now been resolved. Rallycross was due to dwindling meetings, which is a fair point and the resurfacing of the track, which cost 850k. After the demise of the Superprix the meetings for me had started to dwindle. The GP was OK for a couple of years but the format didn't really work I felt. All into together meant the 2WD stuff didn't have a chance and it was noticeable that numbers dropped off as did overseas entries. BTRDA offered something, particularly that one off 2WD masters they ran. Think it was this where they had a separate supercar class as well and a few top cars came out for fun or to test. Last British meeting I attended was pretty boring to be honest. Low numbers for Croft and very processional racing. Legends might be an option if entry strong. Realistically though it will mean an overnight, which will shove the cost up. Only get to a few meetings every year but haven't decided what I'm doing next year yet, so could be an option. Always try and make one event further afield. |
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10 Dec 2023, 10:49 (Ref:4188780) | #8 | ||
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That is not really a calendar is it, sorry but that is the most ridiculous things I have ever bloody seen/
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11 Dec 2023, 09:18 (Ref:4188822) | #9 | |||
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On another note I see Colin Anson is advertising the ex Chris Evans Astra for sale (as well as his Ka). |
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11 Dec 2023, 11:15 (Ref:4188827) | #10 | ||||
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Wonder if the Astra and Ka are going to fund another rallycross car, or if he has other plans? |
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11 Dec 2023, 11:50 (Ref:4188828) | #11 | |||
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11 Dec 2023, 11:53 (Ref:4188829) | #12 | |||
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(Sure he said it on Facebook somewhere: but maybe I am getting my wires crossed!) |
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11 Dec 2023, 13:17 (Ref:4188835) | #13 | ||
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I'm sure he was planning on using the Astra last year but a long lead time in getting the correct parts force a re-buy of the KA to get back driving last year. Really hope to see it out soon .
Going back to the track selection, there really is no other viable UK tracks that could be used unfortunately. Most either have never had a Rx circuit or not interested in holding a meeting. For Croft, the loose section is still there, a little over grown with grass in places but still there. With the rallying, there used to be 2 rally's both organised by different clubs, Darlington District Motor Club and Northallerton Automobile Club. For 2022, they both worked together to help convince Croft to give rallying another go and it worked and so from 2024 it's being reinstalled in the calendar. On a side note, a local business man also helped massively to get it going and one who has Rx history, Kevin Proctor. |
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18 Jan 2024, 17:57 (Ref:4192338) | #14 | ||
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John McCluskey confirms full 5 Nations season:
5 Nations - McCluskey Returns to 5 Nations Hopefully an Irish Fiesta (or two) joins the mix as well. |
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22 Jan 2024, 10:20 (Ref:4192864) | #15 | ||
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That's good news - looks like it should be a competitive field in supercar, hopefully get some more details around other entries soon.
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29 Feb 2024, 18:27 (Ref:4198948) | #16 | |
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Who has the Astra now?
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10 Mar 2024, 21:19 (Ref:4200749) | #17 | |||
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Nick Priddy - Citroen DS3 (full season) Colin Anson - Mitsubishi Mirage (full season) John McCluskey - Ford Fiesta (full season) Michael Leonard - Ford Fiesta (full season) Gary Donoghue - Ford Fiesta (partial season) I also see Pat Doran is confirmed to be back in Retro in the Mk.2 Escort. Last edited by tbtstt; 10 Mar 2024 at 21:24. |
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11 Mar 2024, 15:11 (Ref:4200850) | #18 | ||
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Interesting - that does at least answer the Colin Anson question! Supercar numbers looking pretty good, I suspect the same can't be said of Supernational. Hopefully we'll see some more cars out - it used to be such a healthy class with a varied entry, it's a shame to see it suffering.
If Pat is using the Mk2 Escort then can we assume that the RS200 won't be making any appearances (except maybe at the 'Legends' meeting?). |
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11 Mar 2024, 16:14 (Ref:4200858) | #19 | |||
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I think it looks pretty promising so far. Presuming that a few of the regulars will be returning we could potentially hit double figures for competitive Supercars entries at every round?
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I'd be disappointed not to see Rosie out for the Legend meeting; wonder if Pat will drive the Escort all year and Liam will be out for Legend? |
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17 Mar 2024, 22:48 (Ref:4201687) | #20 | ||
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I think there needs to be more rule stability with Supernational, the cars have become very specialised, not helped by some woeful rules decisions many years ago and some ridiculous cars that removed what used to be fairly normal cars from being competitive, there is a reason Supernational in Scandinavia is a success and has been for decades and those rules should have been brought in over here in the early 00s, it doesnt matter of the cars are old, that means they are well sorted and less complex. spaceframes and allowing just about anything has totally ruined the class sadly.
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17 Mar 2024, 22:51 (Ref:4201688) | #21 | ||
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Supernational was ruined decades ago by utterly ridiculous spaceframe rules and attempts to make it more interesting when the rules in Scandinavia have been very similar for a long time, it is no shock it still works over there, those rules should have been bought in here. As usual the people running the sport are blinkered and think they know best.
AS for the Doran RS200, it will for sure be at Lydden, Liam is basically trying to reninvent himself as some sort of stunt man for goodness sake, and I am sure renny will drive it aswell as the replica of his 87 car., |
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18 Mar 2024, 09:24 (Ref:4201730) | #22 | |||
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Hope he properly commits to something rallycross this year. I think his little stint in the i20 and the end of last year showed he is still capable of winning. |
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24 Mar 2024, 19:21 (Ref:4202612) | #23 | ||
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Godfrey, Flitney and Ian Barrett confirm full season entries, Oliver Bennett entered for the season opener at Lydden:
Nick Priddy - Citroen DS3 (full season) Colin Anson - Mitsubishi Mirage (full season) John McCluskey - Ford Fiesta (full season) Michael Leonard - Ford Fiesta (full season) Julian Godfrey - Citroen DS3 (full season) Dominic Flitney - Volvo C30 (full season) Ian Barrett - Volkswagen Polo (full season) Gary Donoghue - Ford Fiesta (partial season) Oliver Bennett - Mini Cooper (Lydden) Also Crosscar has now added to the RX150 class. Must admit I was a bit sceptical when BTRDA added Crosscar, but there seems to have been a lot of interest and, given that RX150 has seemed to struggle the last few years, I think this is a good move. Last edited by tbtstt; 24 Mar 2024 at 19:38. Reason: Ian Barrett confirmed after I clicked post! |
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25 Mar 2024, 14:33 (Ref:4202720) | #24 | ||
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Forgive the double post, but another release:
Mike Sellar switches to Polo Supercar for 2024 Bit surprised, as I thought Sellar said he was selling up last year: apparently not! Doesn't say if he is doing a full season. Trying to figure out what Polo is what; seems this car is ex-Fucik, so I presume the Barrett Polo is the "Killer Pig"? |
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26 Mar 2024, 14:16 (Ref:4202873) | #25 | ||
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I've been living outside the UK for a while so I've rather lost touch with British rallycross but... how has it got as bad as this?
The "main" GB championship seems to be a Lydden track championship. The BTRDA is barely getting about 40 entries. Entry fees are up to around £500 a round for Minis. Wow. This looks like a sport that seriously needs a sustainability plan with a single championship and event structure. Having so many events in a small corner of the south east is just going turn off the rest of the country. Is there a case for phasing in a change to make the Modified 4X4 class the premier category in British rallycross so that the national championship can go everywhere? Very few UK drivers seem to have serious European campaigns and I suspect very few existing drivers can afford to step up to a full spec Supercar. Existing Supercars could eventually go into an outlaw / Retro class to be run at the few venues that allow them. At the other end of the scale, what about engaging with the large Autograss community and having a rallycross class to cater for class 1 and 2 production cars? There is a desperate need to get more into the sport and appealing to those who already have competition cars in their garage may be one way to do it. |
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