As Motorsport Fans make the journey to Lydden Hill, Kent this weekend for the World Rallycross Championship Round Two, we return with fond memories back from 2006 when we made our first visit to this southern circuit to support Andrew Jordan making his British Rallycross Supercar Debut.
It was 2004 when father Mike Jordan arrived with a shy young son in tow to see ‘what the boy had.’ It was not long before Peter Gwynne raised an eyebrow and gave a knowing nod to Mike that the boy had potential.
Coaching him through his Junior Rallycross years Jordan soon started to get grab the attention of onlookers taking the BTRDA Junior Rallycross Champion title in 2004 and then in the following year being crowned British Junior Rallycross Champion, BTRDA Junior Rallycross Champion, Super Series Rallycross Champion and also Ginetta Winter Series Champion.
In winter of 2005 after much deliberating, all involved thought Jordan Junior had the talent, focus and determination to take the step up from a Clubman Mini to a Ford Focus WRC Supercar built by none other than legendary Will Gollop.
Being the youngest driver ever to take on British Rallycross Supercars and piloting the G-Tech Ford Focus all eyes would be on Jordan. Through the winter months Andrew came for coaching whenever possible to master the techniques of 4 wheel drive to prepare for his Supercar debut as well as assisting with Rally schools to gain confidence dealing with the public and interacting with people to overcome any shyness.
Like any of Jordan’s previous performances, he was not there to make the numbers up as his performance showed. Throughout the season Jordan’s progression proved he was destined for a promising future in Motorsport taking the Supercar title in 2007 and after all he has gone on to achieve currently holding the British Touring Car Championship Title, he now returns to Lydden Hill for the FIA World Rallycross Championship behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta Supercar for Olsbergs MSE team.
Peter Gwynne ‘ Watching how this young, shy lad has developed into one of the most successful and most popular drivers in the world has been fantastic. I don’t need to say how talented he is, we can all see that! The whole Jordan family have supported Andrew throughout his career and in careful decision making on a limited budget they have seen him excel in his sport. The way he has conducted himself both on and off track has been a real credit to Mike and Judith and the whole family were a pleasure to be associated with.
One of the highlights has to be when he returned to the paddock to be crowned British Touring Car Champion 2013 and seeing them all there to share in his victory.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Andrew out there once again, I remember the love he had for sliding a car and making that gravel fly, it is safe to say he will be loving every minute of it. He was a real favourite within British Rallycross so to see him back out there again is a welcome sight for all.’
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