Dixon weathers Croft storm to claim Retro RX glory

Vauxhall Astra driver Gary Dixon made the most of his favoured wet conditions to charge to victory in the fourth round of the Retro Rallycross Championship at Croft Circuit (July 29).

Dixon lined up on the front row of the grid for the final, alongside pole starter Gary Simpson, but from the second row it was Super Retro points leader James Harrold who slotted between the pair to take the lead with his rear-wheel drive Volkswagen Beetle as the lights went green.

Jason Bowes made a bid for third position at the first corner around the outside of Dixon, the Astra driver then passing Simpson’s BMW E30 on the loose surface back straight, before at the end of the opening lap both Harrold and Dixon ran wide, allowing Simpson into the lead and Bowes up to second.

Bowes spun his Volkswagen Golf at the very next corner as Harrold re-took the lead from Simpson at the end of the second tour, Simpson dropping back behind first Dixon, Mini Clubman racer Iain Biagi and then the rest of the field as he joined Bowes on the retirements list.

Heading across the loose for the third time of asking, Dixon made a move for the lead on Harrold, who while off the edge of the circuit also lost track position to Biagi but recovered to be classified behind winner Dixon and Biagi. It was another giant-killing act from the Borders’ driver as Biagi took maximum points in the over 1600cc sub-category. 

“That was absolutely brilliant. I love racing in Retro Rallycross; it’s competitive but without any damage and a brilliant group to be with,” said Dixon. “They’re all very quick cars and drivers and there’s never one particular winner. There’s different people from different classes with different cars winning each round. The rain just before the final was absolutely brilliant for me. I love Croft and I love it even more when it’s wet.”

Multiple John Button Memorial Trophy winner Ray Morgan finished fourth, with Mark Finch in his Ford Fiesta in fifth. Derrick Jobb took maximum four-wheel drive points with his Ford Escort Cosworth but retired from the final. MG Metro 6R4 racers Rob Gibson and Roger Thomas were forced out before the event with technical issues.

Barry Stewart didn’t start the final with his Porsche 911 after being in the thick of the action throughout qualifying, while Paul Easterbrook had a difficult day with his Toyota MR2 in the challenging conditions but did set eighth best time in Q3.

“Despite challenging weather conditions, spirits were as high as normal in the Retro Rallycross paddock and with little grip to be found on the track drivers were fighting for position all day which made for entertaining races. It was great to have Gary Simpson out with us, he really enjoyed his first race heading for overall victory before retiring in the final,” said Retro Rallycross Championship Manager, Shirley Gibson. “The championship points situation is heating up now and I’m enjoying watching the battle unfold, it really couldn’t get any closer which a perfect scenario as we head back to Lydden Hill for our next Retro adventure.”

2018 Retro Rallycross Championship: Round Six, Final Result:

1 Gary Dixon               Vauxhall Astra (Super Retro)
2 Ian Biagi                   Mini Clubman (Retro)
3 James Harrold          Volkswagen Beetle (Super Retro)
4 Ray Morgan             Ford Escort (Super Retro)
5 Mark Finch               Ford Fiesta (Retro)
6 Gary Simpson           BMW E30 (Super Retro)
7 Derrick Jobb             Ford Escort (Retro 4WD)
8 Jason Bowes             Volkswagen Golf (Super Retro)

Retro Rallycross (under 1600cc) standings:

1 Ian Biagi                   Mini Clubman             107
2 Mark Finch               Ford Fiesta                  87
3 Stewart Bowes         Mini Clubman             52
4 Steve Bowie             Vauxhall Chevette       48
5 Simon Hart               Ford Escort                  42
6 Steve Cozens            Citroen AX                   30
7 Terry Moore             Mini                             0

 Super Retro (over 1600cc) standings:

1 James Harrold          Volkswagen Beetle     112
2 Gary Dixon               Vauxhall Astra             105
3 Ray Morgan             Ford Escort                  102
4 Paul Easterbrook      Toyota MR2                86
5 Barry Stewart           Porsche 911                71
6 Jason Bowes             Volkswagen Golf         40
7 Gary Simpson           BMW E30                    23

Retro 4WD standings:
1 Derrick Jobb             Ford Escort                  57
2 Roger Thomas          MG Metro 6R4            30

Round five of the 2018 Retro Rallycross Championship takes place at Lydden Hill on August 27.