Dan Rooke, Devon based MSA Supernational Rallycross Champion is to contest the nine round MSA British Rallycross Championship in a 600bhp LD Motorsports Citroen DS3.
18-year old Rooke, from Holsworthy in Devon, successfully campaigned a remarkable maiden MSA Supernational class season at the wheel of his family run Citroën AX GTI in 2015; where he won two races at Lydden Hill, as well as securing the overall championship title by the final flag in October.
Rooke is now set to get to grips with a 600bhp LD Motorsports Citroen DS3 for a nine event assault in the premier class of the MSA British Rallycross Championship.
Speaking about the prospect of getting to grips with the car that took Andreas Bakkerud to victories in the 2013 European championship, Rooke said: “I’m really excited to be able to make the move into the Supercar class. The cars are a lot different from what I am use to so I am looking forward to learning how to drive the car and to race in the class.
“Last season I was racing in my own family run team (Dan Rooke Racing) with my dad and the guys who work in my dad’s garage. LD Motorsports will be providing me with the car and on-event support through-out the year. They will also be giving me driver training, which I’m really looking forward to.
It’s going to be a steep learning curve given that I have never driven 4WD before and the power that the car produces is a lot more than I am use to, but I am hoping to be able to make it to the podium by the end of the year.”
Despite his relatively young age, Rooke has seen success in nearly every series he has raced in, including being selected runner-up in last years MSA RX Talent search, held in conjunction between FirstCorner – the company behind RX Lites – and IMG, the organisers of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy.
LD Motorsports Team Principle Liam Doran added: “We are extremely excited to be in a position to give Dan a chance to race in Supercars. If you look at his relative experience compared to what he has achieved, he’s a remarkable talent. We [LD Motorsports] have previously supported young drivers bringing them into Supercars – such as Andreas Bakkerud – which is a great way to help rallycross grow as a sport.
The car Dan will be using was used by Andreas to win European championship rounds in Sweden and France in 2013 in his first year of Supercars. We are starting a test programme with Dan next week, in time for the first round on the 6th March. It’s going to be big challenge for him for sure, but I’m confident he will be up to speed quickly.”
Top Photo: ‘DS3 on Horizon for Rooke’ Dan Rooke will drive Ex-Bakkerud Liam Doran Motorsport DS3 © JKR/ERC24