Ovenden’s back on track in British Rallycross Championship

Canterbury, Kent — Canterbury based racer Tristan Ovenden and his team headed down the M4 to Pembrey Circuit in Wales for rounds 7 and 8 of the 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship. Looking to get his championship challenge back on track.

Ovenden got straight down to business and topped the standing at the Intermediate stage with a third and first place in the qualifying heats. Starting from pole in the semi-final, he made the perfect start and held off frantic challenges for the lead opting to take his Joker on the final lap winning by a clear 3 second margin. A pole position start for the final was exactly what Ovenden wanted. But he was beaten into third at turn 1, but after taking his joker on lap 4 of the 6 to gain some clear air paid off, he was back up to second at the flag.

Sunday and round 8 saw the circuit run in the reverse direction incorporating the new layout into turn one. At the intermediate stage he was in third place, and so the middle of the front row was where he started the semi-final. Which arguably was a better start position than pole. However, contact from behind in turn one dropped him back to 5th, but still got back to third during the race. Ovenden then had to line up for the final with a second-row grid position, leaving a lot to do to challenge at the front of the race. After the long drag into turn 1 he held his nerve and guided his Citroen supercar into P4. He was forced to take his joker on the first lap and despite chopping and changing positions crossed the line to finish third.

Ovenden has squarely got his season back on track as he now sits in second place in the points standings by a single point.

Tristan Ovenden – Supercar (#72)

‘We had a positive weekend. Great pace on Saturday, a little annoyed I didn’t get a better start in the final, but really pleased with second. The team are making good progress on how to get the best out of the car. Sunday was shaping up to be as good, until we had a fuel pump issue that just put a little off step and slightly hampered the heats, otherwise I think a front row start for the final was on. Fabulous team work to get us through the day, so we could have a good run in the final, with a much better start as well! And third was another really good result. Thanks to everyone and our sponsors for the support.’

Junior team member Will Ovenden was looking to reclaim the Junior BRX points lead. In a 12 car strong entry racing was always going to be tough and after his three heats he was in second place. He went onto easily win his semi-final gaining him a front row start for the final. After a great start and a very well controlled drive he took the checkered flag nearly 5 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

In an almost carbon copy of the previous day the young Canterbury based driver found himself in second place. Pole position for his semi-final saw him drive a lights to flag victory. A mid row start for the final found himself caught behind a slower driver saw him loose time on the lead car, it was only after he took his joker on the penultimate lap, did he find some clean air, but unfortunately left himself too time much to make up. He crossed the line in a solid second place.

With a very strong weekend performance Will now tops the points standing in the junior championship.