Lydden Hill British Rallycross Championship preview as title fight heads to Kent
Published: 16:01, 24 August 2017
The fight to become British Rallycross Supercar champion will continue at Lydden Hill on Bank Holiday Monday as the season reaches its final stages.
Five-time title winner Julian Godfrey holds a slender three-point advantage over Oliver Bennett ahead of round six, with Irishman Ollie O'Donovan in third.
Kevin Procter is just 20 points shy of Godfrey with four rounds remaining - 13 points clear of Pluckley's Nathan Heathcote in fifth.
Heathcote, who will drive his ex-Liam Doran Citroen DS3 at Lydden for the first time on Monday, is looking forward to competing at his home circuit against 11 other Supercars.
"I would like to get a podium at Lydden, but I haven't driven the DS3 there before," the 20-year-old said.
"There are still four rounds left and I am still definitely fighting for the championship.
"A mistake cost me a podium finish at the last round which was annoying, but I still came away with some decent points."
In the supporting classes, Tristan Ovenden will be keen to score his second win of the season in the SuperNational championship aboard his newly acquired Renault Clio V6.
The Canterbury racer - who is 18 points shy of Lotus Exige campaigner Paige Bellerby - suffered suspension failure in the final at Lydden earlier in the season.
"The car ran well all weekend at the last round at Mondello and we have got good pace at Lydden," Ovenden said.
"We had a few front brake issues with a broken disc last time out, but the car is great and it suits me well.
"We have been chipping away at the championship points and I still think we can win it..." - Tristan Ovenden
"We have been chipping away at the championship points and I still think we can win it."
Ovenden will be joined in the class by the returning Paul Maybourne (Sittingbourne), who will handle an ex-Brian Jukes Audi TT.
Tristan's brother, Simon, holds the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship lead ahead of Lydden, seven points clear of Rob Shield.
Deal's Rob Maynard will be looking for a better result at his home circuit as he currently lies sixth in the series standings, one spot ahead of fellow Deal resident Don Macleod.
Vauxhall Corsa campaigner Paul Coney (Dartford) is unbeaten in the Super1600 class this year, but will face tough competition from Sittingbourne-based Darren Scott in his Pirtek Medway-backed Citroen C2.
Betteshanger's Jason Chidwick and Lee Keeler (Biddenden) will also race at Lydden, competing in the Hot Hatch class.
Action starts at 9am. Tickets cost £20 on the gate, with under-13s going free. Visit www.lyddenhill.co.uk for details.
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Dan Wright