Exciting cars set to join eclectic Retro RX field at Lydden Hill

Rallycross fans are in for a treat this weekend as one of the most eclectic Retro Rallycross Championship line-ups ever is set for action in the traditional August Bank Holiday event at Lydden Hill (August 27).

While the regular drivers will continue the nail-biting, season-long battle for class honours and the coveted John Button Memorial Trophy, some exciting machinery joins the Retro RX fold at the birthplace of the sport this weekend.

Former FIA European Rallycross Championship racer John Cross is hoping to debut his freshly restored Lancia Stratos, ahead of a full campaign in 2019, while British RX Supercar competitor Steve Harris will make his maiden competitive appearance in the Ford RS200 which he drove in public for the first time as part of the Retro RX demonstrations in the British round of the World Rallycross Championship at Silverstone in May.

Joining Harris in the ‘Group B and four-wheel drive’ sub-class will be the MG Metro 6R4 of Roger Thomas, along with Derrick Jobb in his Ford Escort Cosworth.

James Harrold leads the Super Retro (over 1600cc) points with his monstrous Volkswagen Beetle as he targets the John Button trophy, but was made to work hard at the last round at Croft by both challenging wet conditions and stiff opposition.

Gary Dixon claimed his maiden Retro RX win at Croft with his Vauxhall Astra, while Gary Simpson and Jason Bowes also challenged for the podium until technical issues forced them out of the final. Multiple John Button Memorial Trophy winner Ray Morgan has also been in the thick of the action this season with his Ford Escort and will be a victory contender this weekend. Steve Cozens returns driving the Citroen AX he used in the opening round of the year and Paul Easterbrook will continue his 2018 Retro RX campaign with his familiar Toyota MR2.

Currently leading the Retro Rallycross (under 1600cc) class is Borders driver Ian Biagi, who like Harrold is also right in the hunt for the John Button trophy. While Biagi leads the sub-class points, that’s through consistency rather than domination.

The Mini Clubman racer won round four, but it was Mark Finch, racing a front-wheel drive Ford Fiesta who took maximum class scores in rounds two and three, which included an overall podium in the final at Lydden Hill. Mini racer Terry Moore and Ford Escort campaigner Simon Hart will also be in action this weekend.

“Going to Lydden is always a special occasion as the home of the rallycross, but with such a fantastic selection of cars in Retro RX this weekend it’s going to be so exciting to see everyone on track, and in the paddock,” said Retro Rallycross Championship Manager, Shirley Gibson. “It’s wonderful to have John (Cross) and Steve (Harris) join us with their exotic machinery, along with Steve (Cozens), Terry (Moore) and Simon (Hart) joining our list of regular competitors. In the Championship it really is just too close to call and I can’t wait to see the action on track, and for fans to be able to get up close and personal to these amazing cars in the paddock.”

2018 Retro Rallycross Championship: Lydden Hill Entry List (August 27):

Group B & Four-wheel drive

77 Derrick Jobb – Ford Escort
86 Steve Harris – Ford RS200
94 Roger Thomas – MG Metro 6R4

Super Retro (over 1600cc):

30 Gary Dixon – Vauxhall Astra
50 Steve Cozens – Citroen AX
52 Gary Simpson – BMW E30
79 Jason Bowes – Volkswagen Golf
114 Ray Morgan – Ford Escort
151 James Harrold – Volkswagen Beetle
360 Paul Easterbrook – Toyota MR2

Retro Rallycross (up to 1600cc):

56 Ian Biagi – BMC Mini
74 Terry Moore – Morris Mini
137 Simon Hart – Ford Escort
179 Mark Finch – Ford Fiesta