Blyton Circuit in Lincolnshire plays host to round five of the 2009 Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Open Championship next weekend (Sunday June 21st) as the second half of the season gets underway.
The battle for the Division 1 title took another twist last time out when Andy Grant (Ford Escort RS2000) become the fourth different winner in as many events, moving him within six points of Championship leader Mike Manning (Ford Puma). Manning looked dominant throughout the heats after defending Champion 'Mad' Mark Watson (Citroen Xsara) saw his previous engine problems return, but Grant made the better start matter and took the win ahead of Steve Mundy (Ford Focus).
Drivers can count their best six results out of the eight round Rallycross Open Championship, but those six results must include the final round of the Championship at Croft Circuit on Saturday October 31st as a points scoring round so taking this into consideration, a total of six drivers in Division 1 remain in contention for the title, including 2007 and 2008 Champion 'Mad' Mark, first round winner Derrick Jobb (Ford Escort RS2000), Steve Mundy (Ford Focus) and George Tracey Jnr (Citroen C4). Chris Langley (Ford Escort RS2000), Aiden McCullagh (Peugeot 206) and Brian Jukes (Audi TT), all of whom will all be aiming to make it onto the podium at Blyton for the first time this season.
Don Shannon (Volvo S40) will be looking to stop runaway Championship leader Jamie Lea (Toyota MR2) in the Super National category, while Stuart Emery (Peugeot 306) and Toby Crocker (Citroen Saxo) are both aiming to build on their points advantage in the Procar 2000 and Division 1A categories.
In the Procar 1600 category, the Championship battle remains very tight between Stuart Jackson (Citroen Saxo), Kenny Hall (Peugeot 205), Steve Heppenstall (Peugeot 205) and Martin Peters (Citroen Saxo). Craig Brown (Peugeot 205) is currently lying fourth overall, slightly further adrift in the points standings, but is still carrying Championship aspirations. Bradley Bailey is currently the form driver in the Chris Birkbeck Rallyschool Junior Minicross Open Championship and is hoping to make further inroads into Keifer Hudson's Championship lead next weekend. Chris Ingram showed some impressive pace last time out recording a strong second place finish, while Simon Quinn, Sam Kinirons and Kelly Bird will be pushing to close the gap to the leading duo.
It is close at the top in the MDA Edwardes Bros Minicross Open Championship, with Kris Hudson leading the way. Mark Griffin had a torrid time of things last month, but this time he has his sights set on returning to the top of the standings. Ben Clark and David Bell are currently third and fourth in the Championship, closely followed by Nutts Corner winner George Edwardes, who resumes his Championship challenge after being forced to miss last month's event due to exam commitments.In the Revivals category, Lance Foster is aiming to resume his giant killing act with his Green & White Mini Spares Mini, following a problematic event last month. A strong 16 car entry includes the return to Rallycross for Tania Wilson at the wheel of a Peugeot 205 and the Rallycross debut for Ian Biagi driving the ex Stuart Bowes Mini. The Revivals category is guaranteed to once again provide plenty of close competitive racing.
Jonathan Bean continues to lead the BMW rear wheel drive challenge, ahead of John Clayton and Conor Flynn, but will face further opposition at Blyton from Pat Flynn who will make his first Rallycross appearance of the season.
Event Details: 2009 Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Open Championship - Round 5 of 8Circuit: Blyton Circuit (Lincolnshire, near Gainsborough). Blyton Circuit is located on the B1205.
Date: Sunday June 21st 2009.Timetable: On track action starts at 9.30am.rallycrossopen.comTickets: Priced at £10 per adult. Children aged 15 years and under are admitted free of charge (when accompanied by a paying adult).The Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Open Championship is in association with: ATM Sport Ltd, Bilstein UK, Chris Birkbeck Rallyschool, Corbeau Seats & Luke Racing Systems, Direct Clothes, Dodo Juice, Elite Transmissions, Fre-quent, Get Connected!, K&N Filters, Kent Cams, Nutt Travel and Revolution Wheels.
2009 EventsRound 1: Croft Circuit - March 22ndRound 2: Nutts Corner - April 25thRound 3: Nutts Corner - April 26thRound 4: Blyton Circuit - May 17thRound 5: Blyton Circuit - June 21stRound 6: Pembrey - July 26thRound 7: Blyton Circuit - August 16thRound 8: Croft Circuit - October 31stSuperprix: Croft Circuit - November 1st
