The second round of the 2015 Retro Rallycross Challenge took place at Lydden Hill, where fans enjoying the Easter Bank Holiday racing witnessed one of the closest finals of the day between the returning Rob Gibson, round one winner James Harrold and 2014 John Button Memorial Trophy winner Ray Morgan.
Gibson's MG Metro 6R4 was fastest in the first two heats to secure pole position, while Morgan's Ford Escort was quickest in heat three. Consistent times through the heat stages put the Volkswagen Beetle of James Harrold on the front row for the final, splitting Gibson and Morgan.
As the lights changed at the start of the final it was Harrold who made best start, but by the end of Chessons Drift, Gibson had claimed the lead as Harrold tried to fend off the attentions of Morgan. The Ford Escort driver found a way by Harrold's Beetle, but lost the place again to Harrold, who then made a move on Gibson for the lead. As the leading trio fought it out for victory at the halfway stage, Lance Foster hung onto fourth - the top four pulling away from the rest of the field.
As Gibson regained the lead on lap three, Morgan needed no invitation to follow the iconic 6R4 passed Harrold and into second, before trying a move on Gibson for the lead at the hairpin. Gibson ran wide in Paddock Bend at the end of the lap, gifting Morgan the lead but only until Chessons for the final time, where Gibson retook the advantage. As the top three battled it out for position, Foster closed in on the battle, and pushed Harrold hard on the closing stages. Harrold had other ideas however, and went for a move on the inside of Morgan into the final corner, only to hit the barrier and spin his Beetle. Gibson won on his return, Morgan finished a well-earned second and Foster scored another strong podium in third.
Stuart Bowes kept the similar car of Foster honest throughout the event and came home fourth, with Harrold recovering to finish fifth. Paul Smith and Ian Biagi battled hard all day, but Biagi retired from the final on lap three leaving Smith the claim sixth place. Paul Haigh started the event in his Vauxhall Nova but was forced out with technical difficulties.
Retro Rallycross Challenge, Lydden Hill, Final Result
1: Rob Gibson – MG Metro 6R42: Ray Morgan – Ford Escort BDA3: Lance Foster – Mini British Leyland4: Stewart Bowes – Austin Mini5: James Harrold – Volkswagen Beetle6: Paul Smith – Volkswagen Polo7: Ian Biagi – Mini Clubman
