Deal Driver Don Macleod set for Swift Rallycross at Croft

Making the long journey north from Deal, Kent, Borderforce officer Don Macleod is set to compete in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship season finale at Croft Circuit, Darlington.  

Wanting to fulfil a dream, the football referee hired a PGM Swift for the second round of the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship when they headed to his local circuit, Lydden Hill during the Easter weekend. 

After a successful debut, the Scotsman was left wanting more and took to the track once again when the swifts returned to 'The Home of Rallycross' in August for Round 6 of the British Rallycross Championship.

Having embraced the spirit and camaraderie of the Swifts, progressing steadily in both heats and the semi finals, with his highlight so far being a third in heat three at Lydden Hill, Don says “Despite being a complete novice, the fellow competitors have accepted me and their knowledge and advise has given me the impetus to push harder and harder in each race I have competed in.”

Now wanting to experience a new circuit, Macleod heads to Yorkshire for the Swift season finale at Croft Circuit with the ambition to continue racing in the Swifts in 2017, work permitting.

MSA British Rallycross Juniors Pre-Season Testing

Great day with the Swift Rallycross Juniors today at Blyton Race Circuit in preparation for British Rallycross Championship Round One at Croft Circuit next Sunday.

Step Up To S1600 for Swift Champion Ovenden

Double Swift Sport rallycross Champion Tristan Ovenden will race in the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with Odyssey Battery this season in the Super1600 category.

The reigning Swift Sport title holder will race a Suzuki Swift Super1600 car, built and run by Peter Gwynne Motorsport. The Lydden Hill local tested the car for the first time in a test session at the circuit in January and will contest a full eight-round British RX campaign this season. “I've had great support in Swift Sport for many years I am pleased to continue my relationship with Peter Gwynne Motorsport,” said Ovenden. “Having been given the opportunity to test the car at Lydden earlier this year, I think it has real potential and am looking forward to the new challenge.”

Peter Gwynne Motorsport will continue to develop the Super1600 machine through the 2016 season. “Tristan has progressed well in the Swift championship over the years and with him taking the title for the second time, it’s time for him to take the step up,” said Peter Gwynne. “He enjoyed the test and the grin when I opened the door after he returned to the paddock was huge. With further development planned through the year, I’m looking forward to us working together to take this to the next level in British Rallycross.”

Ovenden contested his home round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in the supporting RX Lites Cup at Lydden Hill in May 2015. He finished fifth in semi-final two in the single-make division. 

Bradley Durdin ready for MSA Junior Rallycross at Lydden Hill

Chatting with junior driver Bradley Durdin after his debut in the MSA Junior Swift Rallycross...

Bradley taking the win in the third heat

"As a kid I've always looked at the British rallycross championship and though just how cool it must be to race in one of the various different classes. I never thought I'd actually be at the party. Only just a few weeks ago I found myself sitting on the grid at croft behind some of the biggest names in rallycross such as the likes of Pat Doran and Julian Godfrey as I waited for my race to go out.

Having never been to a Rallycross event I really didn't know what quite to expect. How I ended up in a rallycross car I will never know. I was apart of the junior swift category which doesn't have the most cars on the grid but for sure produced some of the best races of the day. As they say, it only take for 2 cars to have a motor race. I'd never sat in the car before but quickly got up to speed to go and give Drew Bellerby a run for her money in the final. It's great to be able to race hard and fair between us for the win in the final.

A close 2nd at Croft

The British Rallycross Championship heads to its spiritual home of Lydden Hill for round 2 which happens to be the home race for me.  I'll be hoping to win this for the team and gain some more valuable championship points.

To ensure I give myself the best chances for Lydden I've been getting in as much seat time in anything I can. I'm looking foward to Lydden and can't wait for some more close racing."

 Close racing with Drew Bellerby

On track action starts at 9 am at Lydden Hill on  Monday 6th April 2015. 

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www.britishrallycross.com

www.lyddenhill.co.uk