New Drivers Show Potential in Rallycross Opening Round

Suzuki Swift preparation experts PGM Motorsport ran four drivers in the Power Maxed Swift Sport and Junior Swift categories at the opening round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship, held at Croft Circuit in Yorkshire.

Adam Weaver in his Power Maxed Branded Swift

In the highly competitive Swift Rallycross Championships, BTCC Power Maxed team owner Adam Weaver had a strong run to get his season underway by qualifying directly for the A final in seventh position. Weaver climbed to an impressive fifth place in the final in his distinctive Swift by the fifth lap of the race and will be knocking on the door of the podium in events to come. 

 Jeff Hankin first time in British Rallycross Event

Fellow PGM driver Jeff Hankin started on pole position in the B final and ran in second place on lap two. Hankin pushed hard to catch leader Nathan Heathcote, but just missed out on promotion to the A final in the first event of the season. He finished third. Scottish driver Ryan McAdam had an exciting day in his Swift, improving his pace every time he got in the car. As he got to grips with the Croft Circuit, he made it into the B final and enjoyed a close race with more experienced Swift racers Alex Spencer and Dave Ellis, proving his potential for coming events.

Ryan McAdam in his Rallycross debut

In the Junior Swift category, Bradley Durdin shone on his debut. The rallycross newcomer found his feet around the Croft rallycross track in the opening heats, and by heat three was right on the pace, beating championship favourite Drew Bellerby. In the final, Durdin pushed Bellerby hard and led on lap two, before being re-passed by Bellerby. The fight continued until the end, Durdin finishing in second place, less than a second behind Bellerby.

 Impressive first appearance by Bradley Durdin in Junior Rallycross

“It’s been a cracking first round for our drivers.  Jeff was consistent all day and narrowly missed out on the A final.    Young Ryan, with his first time out on gravel improved every heat and showed real potential and Adam was right in the mix and had some really good battles for position out there.

Brad too put in a really impressive performance, first time out in the juniors.  This is Drew’s home track and she and Charlie (2014 MSA Junior Champion – Charlie Bean) were battling all season and we know she is quick, so for Brad to come and win a heat here shows he has good pace.  He was unlucky in the final having taken the lead, a common mistake in running wide on the hairpin here just cost him, otherwise it would have been a win first time out.  He and Drew drove a great race, it was close all the way, think these two are going to provide some great racing if this is anything to go by.” said Peter Gwynne

Another highlight to the weekend was PGM Rallycross Challenge Europe driver Kris Fruru made the trip across from Belgium to be on hand to assist the new drivers on the day.  Great to see him catching up with Rob Maynard and the others he did battle with back in 2013 when he came 3^rd in the Swift championship himself.

The team only have to wait 3 weeks until the next rallycross outing for Round 2 of the British Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill Race Circuit, Kent.

New Junior Driver Brad Durdin Set for Season in MSA British Rallycross

We chat with out new junior driver to find out why he chose Rallycross...

I've always appreciated any kind of Motorsport weather it's Sportcars, single seaters or even truck racing. At the age of 7 I was given a chance to drive a go-kart at the well known Rye House Karting circuit as part of my friends birthday party. It was a typical dark and gloomy day in February as well as absolutely pouring down with rain. I had never driven a kart before yet alone in monsoon like conditions. It was great fun and I really enjoyed it. On the 27th November 2007 my dad bought me my first go-kart. I had many years of fun in karting and progressed through the various different ranks. 

After taking my Arks racing licence I quickly found myself taking my first ever win in conditions very similar to that of my first ever go in a go-kart. My dad had a few goes in a couple of racecars and just like my dad I wanted to make the transition to car racing. In 2012 I was part of the Silverstone Rally School youth Academy which was great fun and taught me a lot. I enjoyed rally but it never really ticked all the boxes for me. The year after I joined the East Anglia Mini Centre autograss team and had a lot of success with them. Since then I've played around in various different cars weather it's formula ford or Ginetta Juniors.

Rallycross is a sport which I've always had a bit of a soft spot for. It's great to see a sport that is moving on with the times and has so much potential. I've always wanted to have a go at rallycross and it seemed to make sense to make the move into rallycross this year. With Peter Gwyne Motorsport I will be taking on the British Junior Rallycross championship and hope that we can bring much success to each another. I'm not here this year to be maybe third or second, I'm here to win! So watch out, there's a new kid on the block!

Motorcycle Racer Ryan McAdam joins Peter Gwynne Motorsport Team

After a successful first test, Scottish Motorcycle racer Ryan McAdam makes the switch from 2 to 4 wheels this season, racing in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship with Peter Gwynne Motorsport Ltd.

As a complete novice in motorsport, the youngster from Aberdeen started racing motorcycles in 2011 at the age of 16.  In his first season, he managed a top ten race finish in the British Superteen Challenge which, the following year he improved upon making it into the top five with the highlight of taking 3rd overall at Rockingham.  McAdam then moved up to the Aprilia RRV450 after signing with JDF Racing, to double head an attack on the Bridgestone Supertwin Championship and the Aprilia RRV450 Challenge. 

At the age of 20, Ryan was invited by John Surtees (Formula 1 & MotoGP World Champion) to race in his charity event mixing racing drivers with celebrities in a team endurance race. His team '2n4 Racing' finished 10th out of 35 teams, racing wheel to wheel with established names in motorsport! After the race, there was a champagne reception, in which he discussed with John Surtees the opportunity to switch to 4 wheels, as he had done in his career.  “I was very lucky to be invited to race in the Henry Surtees Challenge. It is a solo race event with the best young drivers in Europe racing for amazing prizes. By the end of the day, I had made the decision that I wanted to race cars and focused on making that happen for this season.” enthused McAdam.

He continued, “I tested the Swift Rallycross car last month, and was immediately very impressed with the car. It was an interesting start to the day, with snow appearing before the first session, at a very cold airfield in Shropshire! The Suzuki was fantastic all day, and I finished every session with a big smile on my face! It was great to have so much confidence in the car from the first day, and I'm very excited to see what will happen this season!”

Peter Gwynne:  "We are really pleased to have Ryan joining us for the Swift Rallycross Championships. He showed a good level of car control when he came for a test recently, but with him only looking at the championship a week before entries closed, I am really impressed at the focus he has shown in approaching sponsors and finding the budget to make it happen. 

The Swifts are an extremely competitive class within the British Rallycross Championship and being a one make series, one small error can cost vital seconds you cannot find back.  If Ryan shows half as much focus and determination out there on track as he has in getting this far, he will certainly be one to watch for the future."

Ryan will make is debut at Croft Circuit this Sunday (15th March).  

Former BTRDA Solo Champion Yapp Commits to Rallycross

Having taken victory in his Rallycross debut at Blyton Park, Gainsborough in March 2014, the former double BTRDA Solo champion, Jamie Yapp put his 2014 Motorsport plans on hold to focus on a BTRDA Rallycross title chase for 2015. 

 Piloting a Peter Gwynne Motorsport hire Swift, more commonly seen in their own class within the British Rallycross Championship, Yapp made his initial rallycross outing having only driven on a loose gravel surface for the first time a few weeks earlier, during a coaching session with Peter Gwynne.

Jamie Yapp's debut at Blyton Park where he won his class.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my Rallycross debut last season and I’m looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into a full season this year, learning the new car and the circuits along the way – fingers crossed we get some more success.” stated Yapp

Jamie will be upgrading to the PGM S1600 Swift this season, which he previously sampled when featuring in the BTRDA Rallycross demonstration in the Autosport International Live Action Arena Show back in January. 

 The Peter Gwynne Motorsport S1600 Swift Jamie drove in the Autosport International Show

“I am looking forward to working with Jamie for a season” commented Peter Gwynne. “During his first test, Jamie soon got to grips with the car and was confident with it sliding that it was evident he had some ability.  Not phased his first time out on the gravel with cars all round him, he kept it smooth and consistent and went on to win his class first time out.  Going on that he should do well.”   

Jamie will make his first appearance in the BTRDA Clubman's Rallycross Championship this Sunday back at Blyton Park near Gainsborough.

On track action starts at 9 am.  Spectators admission  £5.