Hansen commits to World RX electric era. Tohill wins 2022 season opener.

10 February / FIA World Rallycross Teams Champions Hansen Motorsport announces a multi-year commitment to the World RX and its new all-electric era. “This is a huge investment that we are making in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, with a plan for multiple years – it’s the biggest thing we have ever done. It’s very new and very exciting for all of us, and it feels a little like when we entered four wheel-drive rallycross for the first time in 1993. We didn’t know many things then, and with the switch to electric technology there are many things we are learning about from scratch now, too. It’s very refreshing to be focussing on something so new, with some people we have worked with for many years and some new faces inspiring us as well. There really is a lot of fresh energy here to push forward. The group of drivers at the top in World Rallycross are among the best in the world, and that my and Susann’s sons, Timmy and Kevin, are part of that group and choose to drive with our team is very special,” said team boss Kenneth Hansen.

10 February / British racer Colin Anson is set to return to action in 2022 having acquired the Opel Astra Supercar originally built by Steinar Joranli and perhaps most notably used by Christopher Evans to win the 2006 British Championship. Anson last raced a self built Ford Ka Supercar in the British series but has been away from racing since 2016. “It’s a really nice car. I’m doing a lot of work on it to be ready for the start of the season. It was very cleverly designed, Tony [Bardy] did a lot of work on it too when it came to the UK and it’s got the potential to do okay I think. If we can get it reliable, I want to do as much of the British Championship as possible, starting with the first rounds at Lydden Hill and see how it goes. I’m doing it to have fun, in a special car. You have to put your heart and soul into this and I’m really excited to be coming back to Supercar,” said Anson.

11 February / Britain’s Swift Sport Championship is hosting a test day on Saturday 19 February at which the chance to try one of its championship cars from as little at £49 is available.

13 February / Derek Tohill wins the first round of the 2022 Irish Rallycross Championship. The first event of the 2022 season, the IRX opener also began a new era for the Irish series which is now under the management of Mondello Park Circuit at which all events will also take place this year. IRX remains the only championship that still includes a Superfinal, and in the last race of the day, Tohill beat the similar Ford Fiesta of Declan Kelly while Philip Kelly placed third in the Toyota MR2. Tohill had also led Declan Kelly home in the Supercar final, Paul Nolan (Mitsubishi Mirage) and Thomas O’Rafferty (Fiesta) completing the finishers. Philip Kelly beat Peter McGarry (Volvo C30) to win the Modified final in which Willie Coyne (Opel Corsa) was third. In the Open Clubman category Keith Kershaawe (Peugeot 106) won from pole position, leading home Anthony Kane (Honda Civic) and Loughlin Farrell (Ford Fiesta). Patricia Denning (Mitsubishi Lancer E9) was best of the Rally Car class and went on to place eighth in the Superfinal. Joshua Power was the only Junior finisher and Padraig Leeson beat Padraic McHale and Conor Shaw to win the buggy class. Autocross cars were also on the bill, results decided by the fastest single time over five heats and Ben Kellett emerging as the winner in his 750cc buggy.

15 February / There will be a test day at Schluechtern in Germany on 2 April. Open to rallycross, autocross and rally cars the day will provide the first opportunity to try the circuit’s newly renovated gravel sections. On the same day there will also be a training day at the Estering.

Nick Jesty / We are sad to record the recent death of Nick Jesty. Among that happy group of pioneers who raced in the formative years of rallycross, Jesty was a hugely successful racer. Often racing alongside his first wife, Judith who was also a winning driver, Jesty raced Minis throughout his career. After a lengthy break from racing, Jesty became involved again working with drivers organisation URDA and was also the team manager for Great Britain’s winning team in the FIA Inter-Nations Cup event in 1990. In more recent years Jesty turned his hand to preparing historic race cars, including those of noted competitor Roger Wills. In 2020 Jesty raced a Mini Cooper in the Historic Touring Car Championship. Jesty died on 23 January, he was 78. We extend our best wishes to his wife Jean as well as his wider family and friends.

Pics: Hansen/World RX, British RX, DRX, HSCC