Simpson claims 2019 Retro Rallycross title in style at Croft Circuit

Gary Simpson secured the 2019 obp Motorsport Retro Rallycross Championship in emphatic style at his home circuit with his seventh straight win of the season at Croft, in an event held in extremely challenging conditions.

Yet again however, the BMW E30 driver didn’t have things all his own way on route to victory, as the ever-improving Tony Lynch drove his Toyota MR2 to the fastest time in Q1 on the wet and slippery circuit.

Ford Escort racer Brain Hardman then took the fastest time in Q2, while Simpson could only manged third behind Lynch, but then took the best time in Q3 to secure second on the grid for the final, alongside pole sitter Lynch.

But, it was Simpson who made the best start away from the line in the final, the points leader taking the advantage into turn one ahead of Brian Hardman, while Lynch fended off the attentions of Renault 5 driver Phil Collard to hold third.

Lynch would move to second on the second lap however, after a chaotic trip around the loose-surface hairpin on the opening tour, where Hardman spun and Collard went off the circuit as he crossed the start/finish line.

Paul Smith also advanced up the order in his Volkswagen Polo, into third, but as the laps ran down, he was passed by a number of drivers before the end of the race, with Lynch taking second and Hardman overtaking former champion Ray Morgan for third on the final lap.

Out front, Simpson took his seventh straight win and with it the coveted John Button Memorial title, to add to his 2019 Super Retro crown. “If you look on paper at seven wins, it looks easy, but it certainly hasn’t been like that from behind the steering wheel, we’ve been pushed every inch of the way. There are so many really fast competitors in this championship and to be able to drive hard at the front without any fear of pushing and shoving, it’s great, it just couldn’t get any better,” said Simpson. “We’ve had really good reliability, the car’s been behaving beautifully, I’m happy in the seat, I’m really looking forward to next year already.”

Collard, Smith and Ford Escort driver Simon Hart completed the final finishers, Hart’s result meaning he took the Retro Rallycross (under 1600cc) title in the last round of the year. Paul Easterbrook was sadly forced to withdraw his Toyota MR2 after practice with a broken exhaust manifold.

“We couldn’t be happier with the 2019 season, we’ve had some fabulous cars and lovely people join us along the way. The weather at Croft was somewhat challenging both on and off the track but we love this venue and rain aside it was great to be back in Yorkshire. It will be the last rallycross here for a while but it is hoped that we will return as soon as possible. Croft has a wonderful rallycross history, it’s part of our heritage,” said Retro RX promotor Shirley Gibson. “We have a new champion in the form of Gary Simpson who has done a great job in his first full season with us, his win is very well deserved. I’d like to thank the drivers and the behind the scenes team who continue to make Retro Rallycross happen. We will continue to build on our success in 2020.”