THE first round of the British Rallycross Championship takes place at Lydden on Easter Monday where Will Gollop, of Canterbury, and Pat Doran, of Milstead, go head-to-head.

A handful of new cars will be on the track for the first time.

Starting the event at the wheel of his new Ford Fiesta Supercar, Doran must hope that his only briefly-tested car has a trouble free debut event if he is to challenge arch rival Gollop for event honours.

Gollop, whose season was ruined by mechanical problems last year, has been busy making improvements to his Ford Focus RS and is eager to start with a successful outing at his home track.

Six-time champion Dermot Carnegie leads the invading force and also drives a Ford Focus which has been updated over the winter. Joining Carnegie are his Dublin neighbours John McCluskey and George Tracey.

McCluskey drives the only Citroen Xsara WRC in the British championship while Tracey now has the Peugeot 306 which McCluskey used last year.

The runner-up in last year's championship, Ulsterman Lawrence Gibson, returns for another tilt at the British Championship with his MG Metro 6R4.

Among the other new cars taking part in the Lydden event is a Renault Clio Sport 4x4 built and driven by Terry Briggs (Pembury) and the new exciting turbo-charged, rear-wheel drive Peugeot 206 with which SuperModified champion Dave Bellerby (Northallerton) will defend his title.

Among Bellerby's rivals for honours in the championship's class for two-wheel drive cars, will be Mike Sellar (Milstead) and Russell Etherington (Dover) who drive a pair of Renault Clio Sport V6s run by the MAS team.

Kent-based racers also feature in the Stock Hatch class where Rodney Green (Bromley) starts as favourite with his Citroen Saxo VTR.

The British championship is supported by the Junior Rallycross Championship, open to drivers of 14- to 16-years-old using 1000cc Minis, in which Andrew Jordan (Sutton Coldfield) and Kyle Orr (Dromore) start as favourites.

Lydden is on the A2 between Canterbury and Dover. Practice is at 9am, racing from 10am. Admission is adults £10, children up to 16 free.