by Graham Tutthill

Lydden Hill racing circuit has won a three-year contract to stage the British Rallycross Championship and Grand Prix.

Motor sports boss Colin Hilton says he is
confident the circuit is the right choice.

The contract between Lydden Hill Motorsport Club and the Motor
Sports Association covers 2010 to 2012.

Established in 2008 by Lydden Hill Race Circuit managing
director Amy Doran, LHMC has organised the 2009 Kumho Tyres MSA
British Rallycross Championship.

“I’m delighted that our tenders were successful,” she said.

“I will develop the plan outlined in our tender, the BRC will
become an elite British championship, appearing at quality venues
and providing an exciting and enjoyable spectator experience for a
large and varied audience.”

MSA chief executive Colin Hilton said there had been a good
response to the invitation to tender for the two events.

“Following careful consideration we are pleased to confirm that
we have signed a contract for both these MSA British titles with
Lydden Hill,” he said.

“We are confident that they are the right partner to continue
the development of this important and exciting discipline of motor
sport.”

Miss Doran said some changes would be made.

“We are going to include a new one-make series within the
British championship events,” she said. “It will provide an
accessible and affordable way in which people can become involved
in rallycross.”

The prototype car for the one-make series is scheduled to be
unveiled during the fifth round of the 2009 Kumho Tyres MSA BRC at
Lydden on August 31.

The grand prix became a huge spectator event when it ran as an
end-of-year showdown at Brands Hatch between 1982 and 1994.

“The obvious thing to do is to run it as an end-of-season event
at Lydden because we control the circuit and would be able to
reinvest the revenue from the event in Rallycross,” said Miss
Doran.

“I have other options, including using the Grand Prix title on
the European championship event or running it at another venue. Now
we are in position to take decisions, we will develop the plans and
make announcements about the event in due course.”