I have always had great respect for World Rally Championship drivers. Some of the planet's finest drivers cut their teeth in the world of rally and probably will not get the limelight or their face in the media unlike a personality within Formula 1 or MotoGP. The risks and dangers of driving flat out on narrow roads usually covered with gravel, snow and dust, being inches away from trees, sudden drops, even spectators and doing all this not only during the day, but in pitch black of night can never be underestimated.
Despite my love of motorsport, I have not always spent much time taking an interest in rally. I have taken in some local stages in the UK when I was younger, but the competition of racing against only the clock and not with other racing drivers, hasn't excited me as much as traditional circuit racing. That was until I came across a motorsport which combines the two and most definitely ticks a lot of boxes - Rallycross!
The origins of Rallycross can be traced back to the late 60s and early 70s right here in the UK and more specifically, Lydden Hill Race Circuit in Kent. The pull of driving on gravel AND tarmac on a circuit usually around a mile in length, and with other competitors racing over a short distance, has enticed some of the world's finest motorsport heroes. The aim of Rallycross is to be the fastest of all the competitors during the heats in a bid to make the Semi-Final and Final. The clock then goes out the window and its all about the RACING for the top step of the podium!
My first experience of Rallycross was a BTRDA event held at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire in 2018. Despite the gloomy weather, I was in for quite a surprise for my first taste of RX. Racing consisted of around 3 qualifying heats for each class. Each class would have their semi-finals to find which 6 would face off in the all important final. Traditionally, Rallycross consists of 4-6 laps where each competitor needs to take a Joker lap strategically during 1 lap within each race. The Joker is usually a longer alternative section attached to the main circuit lap, however Croft is without one which does take away a little of the strategic element within a race.
On this particular Sunday in the North Yorkshire countryside, I would witness race after race, car and car and the action throughout was constant because every race would take minutes with the next race contenders literally queuing to get on track when the chequered flag fell. You would witness drivers in what was considered a "Qualifying" heat travelling sideways, bump drafting and knocking off door mirrors all the way round the circuit. If this was the excitement the Club Championships could produce, imagine what it would be like to spectate the British Championship? I had to find out!
Therefore a year later, I would venture back to Croft Circuit to take in Round 8 and the final Race Day of the 2019 Season. Julian Godfrey and Derek Tohill had spent the entire MSA British Rallycross Championship trading victories throughout the season and it would all come down the final day. Unlike my Rallycross visit in the previous year, glorious sunshine was in store for the crowds on the Sunday. However, after rain had fallen on the Saturday, the track offline was incredibly wet making Croft's Rallycross circuit dusty, greasy, muddy, wet and dry all in 1 lap!
Despite Derek Tohill winning the very final round of the season, it would be Julian Godfrey in his Ford Fiesta that would secure his then 6th title and take the crown. Both drivers would net 4 victories a piece throughout the year with Godfrey only securing the 2019 title by a mere 2 points.
Unbeknownst at the time, this would be the final Rallycross event held at Croft Circuit. The scene of where it all started at Lydden Hill Race Circuit and specifically the Lydden Hill Motorsport Club took over management of the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship before the 2020 season. The championship would be rebranded as the British RX 5 Nations Trophy travelling to circuits all over the British Isles, however Croft sadly would no longer be included and doesn't appear to be on the radar of British RX or BTRDA anytime soon.
However, I will always have the memories and the wide grin on my face after experiencing two amazing Rallycross events. The noise from the Premier Class on display was immense and the acceleration off the line was such that it rivals F1 from 0-60mph. A truly astounding spectacle and sad that Croft may not see the likes of RX in the near future. Fans in Yorkshire unfortunately have a journey on their hands if they want to see Premier Rallycross in this country.
To end on a positive, with around 20 odd races and a wide variety of Rallycross converted automobiles (most of which appear to Suzuki Swifts) hitting the tarmac and gravel over the course of a single days action, Rallycross is most definitely an entertaining spectacle for any Motorsport enthusiast. If you ever have the opportunity to experience it, I strongly urge you to do so!
*Images taken at the 2019 British Rallycross finale at Croft Circuit*
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