The final round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship at Brands Hatch (October 31) will feature champion-elect Dermot Carnegie squaring up to the largest Supercar entry of the year, the first appearance in the sport of Irish rallying hero Andrew Nesbitt and the farewell event for the legendary Ford RS200 Group B car.
The championship may be over, but for Carnegie (Dublin) that means the fun can really begin. After completing his title defence in the penultimate round at Mondello Park, Carnegie immediately committed to racing at Brands Hatch: "I can go to the final round and be free to race without thinking that a finish in the points is better than winning, that will be fun. And I want to have a go with Andrew Nesbitt," he said.Nesbitt (Armagh) has been invited to drive in the event by Pat Doran, who is lending the Ulsterman his Ford Escort WRC. The former Irish Rally Champion has taken a keen interest in Rallycross this year as his son, Graeme, has been competing in the Junior Championship: "My son introduced me to this sport and we're both enjoying it," said Nesbitt, "It's an ideal opportunity to try Rallycross, just the idea of it has given me an adrenalin rush, I can't wait."
Carnegie is not the only driver eager to have a crack at Nesbitt on the track, Irish rally man George Tracey (Dublin) is also set to drive in the event with his MG Metro 6R4.
Giving up his Escort WRC for the event, Doran (Milstead) will give his Ford RS200 its last outing in Rallycross at Brands Hatch. The last car of its type in the sport, Doran has not raced the sleek Group B machine since engine problems caused three consecutive retirements at the start of the 2004 season: "We're getting the car back together for Brands Hatch and I want to give the old girl a proper send off," said Doran.
Steve Mundy (Ludlow), Andy Grant (Barnstaple) and Kevin McCann (Cranleigh) are eager to end the year on a high, as is Brands favourite Will Gollop (Canterbury) who won the first round of the championship but who has been out of action for much of the year after suffering an engine failure in his Ford Focus.
BRDA Rallycross ChampionshipAdrian Horsley (Redcar) is virtually certain to win the BRDA Rallycross Championship which shares the same calendar as the MSA BRC but which is open to drivers in all four classes. Horsley has been locked in combat for the overall title with leading Minicross racer john Binks (Gosforth) since the start of the year.It was level pegging until round six, each having been unbeaten. Horsley won in rounds six and seven before suffering his first defeat of the year in round eight, but was back in winning form to top the order in round nine.
Drivers are able to discard their three worst results from the year and, entering the final round, Binks can draw level with Horsley if he is able to add a seventh win.
Horsley and Binks are already champion-elect in their own classes, and Dave Bellerby (SuperModified) and Dermot Carnegie (Supercar) have also sealed class titles, Bellerby (Northallerton) making an amazing comeback to winning form after breaking his right arm and leg during the third round of the championship.
Junior Rallycross ChampionshipJoe Powis (Hereford) put his name to the Junior Rallycross title in round nine. Although prevented from completing the season by a heart condition, Ash Davies (Cwmbran) is safe in second place but there is a three-way battle for third place in the championship entering the final round. Andrew Jordan (Sutton Coldfield) currently holds the position and is ten points ahead of Jonny Greer (Belfast) with Jason Pritchard (Builth Wells) a further ten points adrift.
The driver they will all be out to beat is Kyle Orr (Dromore) who won rounds eight and nine at Mondello Park and who heads to Brands Hatch seeking to complete the hat trick.
Event detailsMSA British Rallycross Championship, round ten (final) Sunday 31 OctoberBrands Hatch (Dartford, Kent)Practice 1000, racing from 1030Admission: Adults £10 children up to 15 free (save £2 on advanced tickets at motorsportdirect.co.uk)
