New era for rallycross in Spain. National wins for Ovenden, O’Donovan, Benyo, Grunwald

4 June / The British Rallycross Championship moves to Mondello Park in Ireland for its fifth and sixth events, the first time the series has visited since 2017. Tristan Ovenden takes his first outright event win in the first day of the double-header, the former three-time Supernational champion twice fastest in the qualifiers and starting his semi-final from pole. Tohill beat Ovenden in the semi, the other race won by Patrick O’Donovan (Fiesta). Bit when a clutch problem caused Tohill to jump start twice (leading to disqualification) and O’Donovan faded in the final, Ovenden was able to manage the challenge from Julian Godfrey to take his first British Championship win. Former Champion Christopher Evans placed third on his return to the series. British and Irish championshipo Supernational drivers went head-to-head. Irishman Philip Kelly (Toyota MR2) led after the heats and won his semi-final while British points leader Jason Bleasdale (Vauxhall VX22) won the other semi. In the final it was Bleasdale who emerged with the win, ahead of Kelly and Willie Coyne. Dave Bellerby won the BMW Mini final, Luke Constantine was best of the Swift Sport racers, Stephen Jones beat top qualifier Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky to win the RX150 final and Alex Langmaid was the Junior winner.

4 June / The German Championship moved on to Grundautalring for a double-header weekend forming rounds two and three of the series. Michael Grunwald (Subaru Impreza) was the winner on the first day of action, leading home the similar car of Christian Tauber with Dietmr Brandt (Audi A4) completing the odium finishers. The over 2000cc Supernational category was won by Belgian Jelle Blockx (Volvo 240) while the under 2000cc section was won by Dustin Volzer (Opel Manta B) with Sven Seeliger (Fiesta) and Ralph Wilhelm (Renault Clio) also on the podium. Daniel Habicht (BMW 318i) won the Production class, Sonke Glode (Opel Corsa) was best of the DRX Rookies and the Cross car races were taken by Markus Strumpler (LifeLive TN5) and in the Junior Samuel Drews (TN5).

5 June / After problem in the previous day’s fifth round, Patrick O’Donovan won round six of the British Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park, leading home his father Ollie (who reverted to his Focus here) to record a one-two family finish. Defebding champion Derek Tohill also came back strong after first day problems and placed third in his Fiesta. Irish racer Peter McGarry (Volvo C30) won the Supernational final in which the lead was closely contested. Max Langmaid won again in the Junior championship, Luke Constantine (Swift Sport) and Dave Bellerby (BMW Mini) also repeating their day one victories. Rally man James Williams took the RX150 win on his debut, second place going to former Junior race Tom Ovenden.

5 June / The beginning of a new ear for rallycross in Spain started with the first CERX Copa de Espana de Rallycross event that took place at Calafat and was won by Inaki Barredo (Nissan Micra R5). Sergi Perez was best of the CERX2 category which is for Peugeot 208 R2 cars and Marc Batlle won the Cross Car category.

5 June / Mariapocs welcomed the Hungarrian Rallycross Championship back for round three in which Mate Benyo (Ford Focus) took his first event win of the year, beating Tamas Karai (Audi S1) in the final. Third place was taken by Istvan Antal (Mitsubishi Colt) on a day when there were just five Supercar starters. Ten over 2000cc STC category was won by Tibor Vamos (BMW E36) while Ferenc Ficza (Peugeot 208) won the 2000cc class and Bulcsu Szabo (Honda Civic) was best of the 1600cc section. Lehel Lackzo (Opel Astra) beat Robert Repasi (Skoda Fabia) to win the Super1600 final. Akos Gonda took the Junior final ahead of Adam Kelo Gere and Balazs Butosi.

5 June / The second day of German Championship racing at Grundau brought another Subaru one-two finish for Michael Grunwald and Christian Tauber. Third place this time was taken by Ignaz Schneider (Lancia Delta Integrale). Bastian Sichelschmidt (BMW E30) overcame Belgian visitor Jell Blockx to win the Supernational final, while Sven Seeliger (Fiesta) won the up to 2000cc final ahead of Oliver Strelow (Fiesta) and Sven Zimmer (Opel Corsa B). Andreas Huhn (Honda Civic) won the Production final, Sinke Glode was again best of the Rookie field while Strumpler and Drews also repeated their day one victories in Cross Car.

5 June / The semi-final and finals were cancelled at Arendonk when severe weather made the track impassable. The long awaiated return to racing on the full Glosso Circuit at Arendonk had begun well, but heavy rain eventually flooded the track causing the event to be cut short. Results for the event were declared after three heats, Johnny Verkuringen (BMW M3) at the top of the Supernational standings ahead of Kristof Bex and Glenn Cools. Kurt Lambers won the up to 2000cc class and Yves Teelen (Peugeot 208) was the Super1600 winner. Kobe Pauwels (LifeLive TN5) was best of the 15 Cross Car racers and the Junior win was taken by Romauld Demelenne (TN5).

This weekend / Just the one major event this weekend, but it should be packed as the Czech, Austrian and Polish championships join at Sedlcany. The event at the Czech circuit also qualifies for CEZ points so there’s a lot to play for among racers in Central Europe.

pics: World RX, CERX, 5 Nations British RX, DRX, Rabocsiring, BORA