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 3rd 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment