Ford Escort driver Ray Morgan extended his advantage at the head of the Super Retro Rallycross Championship standings by winning the second round at Lydden Hill on Easter Monday (March 28).
Morgan qualified on pole position for the final and led the race for the four lap duration, hounded by the Mini Clubman of Lance Foster – the Green and White Mini Spares man celebrating his 45th birthday with a podium finish. Foster had started second in the final thanks to an impressive fastest time in Q3, but couldn’t catch winner Morgan in the final..
“Lance was on fire today, if it had been the wet conditions forecast I think the result may be been different,” said double John Button Memorial Trophy winner, Morgan. “James (Harrold) had some troubles with the Beetle unfortunately, I do struggle to keep up with that when it is running well. In the final, I had it all my own way. It’s really, really good to be leading the championship. The fact that it’s an official championship makes it just so much more special.”

Ray Morgan leads the 2016 Retro Rallycross Championship ©Trev Coulson/Retro Rallycross
James Harrold returned to the Retro Rallycross Championship having missed the opening round of the championship at Croft Circuit through illness, but had a torrid weekend with his Volkswagen Beetle that Formula 1 star Jenson Button drove for a BBC Television feature last year. Harrold’s car suffered a misfire in the opening race of the weekend; further mechanical melodies meant he struggled in the remaining qualifying races.
The former Stock Hatch Rallycross champion started on the back row of the final and climbed to fifth early on lap one, before passing Jordan Bowes and Ian Biagi for third place by lap two, to score a podium finish.
Borders-driver Biagi finished fourth, with Stewart Bowes fifth in his Mini Clubman, recovering from a slow first corner. Paul Smith finished sixth while Jordan Bowes finished the event in his Volkswagen Golf, but was hampered by gearbox problems that meant he only had the use of third gear in the final. He crossed the line in seventh position.

James Harrold (left), Ray Morgan (centre) and Lance Foster (right) take to the podium ©Trev Coulson/Retro Rallycross
The next rounds (3 & 4) of the Retro Rallycross Championship takes place at Pembrey, South Wales (May 1-2), while the next appearance at Lydden Hill for the Retro Rallycross drivers will be at the British round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship (May 27 – 29).
Retro Rallycross Championship Round One, Croft – Final Result:
1: Ray Morgan – Ford Escort BDA
2: Lance Foster – Mini Clubman
3: James Harrold – Volkswagen Beetle
4: Ian Biagi – Mini Clubman
5: Stewart Bowes – Mini Clubman
6: Paul Smith Volkswagen Polo
7: Jordan Bowes -Volkswagen Golf
Super Retro Rallycross Championship standings:
1: Ray Morgan 54
2: Jordan Bowes 46
3: Terry Maynard 25
4: James Harrold 25
5: Neil Maynard 24
6: Darren Grimston 23
7: Dave Black 0
Retro Rallycross Championship standings:
1: Lance Foster 54
2: Stewart Bowes 49
3: Ian Biagi 48
4: Paul Smith 47