Belgian Koen Pauwels took the A final victory of the combined British and Belgian Rallycross Championship season opener at the Lydden Hill Race Circuit in England.
Both the British and the Belgian Rallycross Championship series saw their season kick-off over the weekend of March 29 and 30 at the village of Wootton between Dover and Canterbury in Kent. While the regulars of both championships were at the Lydden Hill venue to score points, two confirmed permanent WorldRX drivers used the event only for to test their new cars. Therefore, Irishman Derek Tohill and Pole Krzysztof Skorupski claimed a lot of interest among fans and media while racing the two Citroën DS3 SuperCars of Liam Doran Motorsports (LDM) for the first time in a true competition.
LD Motorsports had its two drivers at Lydden. Here Derek Tohill talking to ex-Rallycrosser Tony Bell. © DS/ERC24
Irishman Derek Tohill leading Pole Krzysztof Skorupski, but in the final results it was the other way round. © DS/ERC24
LD Motorsports Team Principal Liam Doran said later on: “Both Krzysztof [who finished 6th overall] and Derek [7th overall] did a solid job under tough circumstances this weekend. Obviously it was a shame about the final result [the team felt that both drivers were unfairly punted down the order], but it’s important not to lose focus on what we have learned. Both Derek and Krzysztof got valuable seat time in race conditions, and the team did a very good job and worked through lots of small issues which can only really be picked up in the heat of competition.”
Kevin Procter, here leading Belgian Jochen Coox, finished eventually in fourth place. © DS/ERC24
Happy event winner Koen Pauwels was immediately cheered up by his family. © DS/ERC24
Koen Pauwels, who set the fastest time in the third qualifying heats, started the A final from the centre grid spot of the front row, between pole setter [fastest in the first and second heats] reigning British champion Julian Godfrey (inside) and Krzysztof Skorupski (outside). The Belgian Ford Focus campaigner produced a superb start and subsequently won the chase to the first corner, where Skorupski went straight into the Joker Lap detour. Behind Pauwels Briton Godfrey was in a fight for second place with Belgian Jochen Coox and fellow Brit Kevin Procter.
Reigning Belgian Super1600 champion Dennis Remans drove his Ford Fiesta Mk6 to yet another overall victory. © DS/ERC24
The TouringCar category fell once again prey to Belgian Rallycross veteran Jos Sterkens. © DS/ERC24
When the first lap of the 1400 metre track was completed the following order saw Pauwels ahead of Procter, Coox and Godfrey, while Derek Tohill as well as Belgian Jos Jansen had not survived the action of lap one. Pauwels was able to defend the lead till lap three, the lap in which he decided to play his joker, making way for Procter to take first place. However, it was not for long, as after the Englishman’s Joker Lap the Belgian was back in front again, now followed up by Godfrey. When the chequered flag was dropped after lap five the following order was winner Pauwels (Ford Focus Mk2), runner-up Coox (VW Scirocco Mk3), 3rd Godfrey (Ford Fiesta Mk6), 4th Procter (Ford Focus Mk2) and 5th Briton Steve Harris (Ford Focus Mk1).
While Belgian Kristof Bex (Volvo S40) was made the lucky winner in SuperNationals +2000… © DS/ERC24
…the SuperNationals -2000 category was claimed by Belgian Vauxhall Corsa driver Steven Stessens. © DS/ERC24
As usual some of the Lydden Hill action resulted in kitty-litter excursions… © DS/ERC24
The veterans of the Retrocross fraction are always welcome at the Rallycross venues. © DS/ERC24
Something slightly different – the SuperNational +2000 BMW Z4 Coupé of Belgian Guino Kenis in action. © DS/ERC24
In American Skateboard legend Danny Way the Suzuki Swift class had a hailed VIP guest driver. © DS/ERC24
Top photo: Belgian Koen Pauwels drove his Ford Focus Mk2 to overall victory in SuperCars. © DS/ERC24