The 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship had its season cut short due to heavy rain. Rain throughout most of yesterday and all of today has submerged a large amount of the track with organisers forced to abandon the meeting.
The BRX championship, Lydden Hill circuit and Motorsport UK released a joint statement about the news.
“Due to exceptional overnight rainfall, Lydden Hill Race Circuit, Motorsport UK and 5 Nations BRX regret that racing today [November 6] is abandoned. The track team at Lydden Hill has worked tirelessly in an effort to clear standing water, but due to the continuing heavy rainfall and a Yellow Weather Warning issued by the MET Office for the duration of today, racing has been abandoned on safety grounds.”
Racing had taken place last night in extremely wet conditions. However, continuous overnight rainfall and left the track flooded in several sections. Many Supercar drivers had stated the conditions last night were almost undriveable with little to no grip in some areas. With the track in its current state it would have seen any semblance of traction disappear.
The Supercar drivers were due to have the entirety of Round 11 today but this was cancelled altogether. All support categories had run qualifying sessions yesterday, with their final round taking place across both days. While most had run Q1-Q3, the Retro and Super Retro categories only had Q1 run. Their night time Q2 session was cancelled due to the over running schedule.
The statement continued to say “Where possible results will be declared from the qualifying races held yesterday and published in due course.” Series regulations do permit the stewards to award full championship points. It will be decided in due course whether this will take place. The organisers have stated they wish to take their time taking the correct course of action rather than making any snap decisions.
Patrick O’Donovan secured the championship last night. All other category champions were decided before the weekend save for 2. With the announcement Max Langmaid secured the Junior Rallycross title while it was Max Weatherly who won the Suzuki Swift series.
2023 Calendar
On Friday next year’s calendar was released. It is almost identical to this year’s calendar, spare some date adjustments. Lydden Hill will once again open the season on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, racing on Saturday and Monday. Pembrey will form a double header in May followed by a return to Mondello in Ireland the following month. Pembrey returns again in August, 2 weeks earlier than this year. The Irish championship will also support the series in Wales. It will be their first time racing in the UK since 2016.
Rounding off the season will be a pair of trips to Europe, one for Supercars and one for the Support categories. The lower classes raced at Arendonk last year alongside the Belgium championship. It is believed the organisers are looking for a different circuit to race at. Meanwhile the Supercar class will return to Dreux alongside the French Rallycross Championship. Despite some teething troubles it was heralded as a great event to attend by many in the paddock. Lydden Hill will once again be the season finale as it has the past 2 seasons. Supercars will race 2 rounds across the weekend with a night time finale. All other categories with race 1 round across the 2 days.
Image Credit: 5 Nations BRX
Several Supercars are expected the join the grid next year with most in the championship staying put. After an action packed season, drivers will rest over the winter in preparation for next year.
Feature Image Credit: Overtake Motorsport
