Retro Rallycross® to Feature in BBC’s F1 Production

Retro Rallycross spent the day filming a special programme with the BBC on 26 August where Jenson Button and the Retro team celebrated the late John Button’s involvement in the sport as a competitor in his VW Beetle and Golf.

The event that had been kept under wraps for months resulted in Jenson, who was joined by fellow F1 driver David Coulthard, taking the James Harrold Beetle around Lydden Hill’s Rallycross track. It was the first time that Jenson had been to Lydden Hill, and he was excited at the prospect of getting into a Beetle to mark the occasion and become the second Button legend to take on Lydden, ‘The Home Of Rallycross’.

James Harrold offering Retro Rallycross tips to Jenson Button and David Coulthard on how to tame the 500HP VW Beetle

This was a memorable day for the Harrold family who joined James at the circuit. James’ father Paul, who’s brother, the late Peter Harrold, drove the same car in the 1970’s/80 was regularly joined on the grid by John Button. The two families became friends and John would often stay at the Harrold’s home. Remembering his old friend Paul Harrold said “We enjoyed John’s company in those early days when he stayed with Peter and it was an honour to be able to mark this occasions by agreeing to allow Jenson to drive the car, we instantly said yes when Shirley made us aware of the BBC’s plans.”

When Jenson stepped in to the car alongside passenger David Coulthard, James Harrold was on hand to take them through a few vital steps before they were let loose on their own. Nervous but proud, James stood back and watched from the sidelines as his precious Beetle, now in the hands of the former F1 champion, was driven for several laps and semi-joked “I hope it comes back in one piece, I want to use it on Bank Holiday Monday”.

Jenson Button & David Coulthard

Retro Rallycross competitor Rob Gibson who also raced with John Button had given the pair a few tips when they asked him which were the best lines to take around the circuit. “Its Jenson’s first Rallycross experience as a driver and it began in a Retro Rallycross car, we are all very delighted about that” said Gibson.

The proceedings also gave Jenson his first opportunity to handle the John Button Memorial Trophy. Jenson had presented the trophy to current holder Ray Morgan by video link at the Night of Champions award ceremony last January (video below), but Ray was able to receive a more personal presentation, and beamed as he and Jenson proudly held the trophy together.

Ray Morgan, receives the John Button Memorial Trophy, presented by Jenson Button

Team principal Shirley Gibson enjoyed catching up and sharing memories of John with those present. “It has been a few years since I have seen Jenson in person and to be able to take part in yesterday’s event has to be one of the best days ever, I want to thank everyone who came along and especially James who allowed the BBC to use his car for Jenson’s first Rallycross experience.

The team were joined by Richard Place of Ripla. The Northallerton based I.T & Web company have been associated with Retro Rallycross since its launch and are very much involved in Retro events having over ten years experience with Rallycross promotion, development and event organisation.

The special feature will go out as part of the BBC’s F1 coverage of the Russian F1 race on 11 October, the same date as the British Rallycross Grand Prix at Croft Circuit which is also the final round of the Retro Rallycross Challenge and where the 2015 Retro Rallycross Driver of the Year and winner of the John Button Memorial Trophy will be established.

F1’s Jenson Button demonstrating to passenger David Coulthard how to drive the Lydden circuit

Button and Coulthard also went out in a JRM Mini and Liam Doran’s Citroën DS3 Supercars. The FIA World Rallycross Championship is growing in strength and has a huge global fan base. The (WorldRX) Championship will see Latvia join the series as a new venue in 2016.

Retro Rallycross fans can see the Beetle and the rest of the RetroRX team racing at Lydden Hill on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August, where the John Button Memorial Trophy will be on display at the event along with a model car display presented by Steve Nottage in what is thought to be the only collection in the UK of this size dedicated solely to Rallycross.