Spencer Sport scores British Rallycross Championship podium

Spencer Sport scores British Rallycross Championship podium at Pembrey and shows incredible pace with Mirage RX Supercar, but is denied a deserved victory
It wasn’t the outright victory that the Spencer Sport team had hoped for and indeed deserved, but a podium in Round 5 of the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship at Pembrey Circuit was still an impressive achievement, with the team’s Mitsubishi Mirage RX Supercar surviving a gruelling double-header race meeting straight after a major wheel-to-roof rebuild.

The meeting started exceptionally well for the team with driver – five times British Rallycross Champion Julian Godfrey. He won three out of three races to qualify on pole for Saturday’s Round 4 using the clockwise layout of the circuit.

In front of an army of loyal Welsh fans, enjoying some great rallycross action on one of the sunniest days of the summer so far, the scene was set for victory in the Final. But it wasn’t to be, as a move by title rival Mark Higgins saw the 600bhp Mirage RX Supercar hit from behind and pushed into a spin on the opening lap – forcing Godfrey to finish the race with a rear puncture and in fourth place.

Sunday’s Round 5, which saw the track ran in an anti-clockwise direction, was an equally bruising affair. In the first heat, Godfrey was giving priority – as per the rules – to a car exiting on its joker lap, but the driver was too fast, couldn’t make the corner and ran into the side of the Mirage RX. The Mitsubishi’s front wheel took the full force of the impact, braking the steering and forcing the Spencer Sport driver out of the heat.

Then, in the third heat, Godfrey was pushed into a spin leaving the start line, which saw him start the Round 5 Final in fifth position. After a hard-fought race, in which he led prior to taking the joker lap, Godfrey did well to finish third.

“The first three heats of Round 4 were absolutely perfect; the car was working well, we were fastest throughout and were able to score three very good wins,” said Godfrey.

“We were hoping to continue our winning ways in the Final, but it wasn’t to be. Off the start line I was forced off the track coming up to the first corner and ran wide. The same driver made the same move off the start line in the first Heat. Then, coming into the next right-hander, I touched the brakes and he clipped one of my rear wheels with some force and it sent me round, which also caused a puncture. I got the car to the finish and scored some championship points for finishing fourth, which was better than no points at all.

“Round 5 on Sunday didn’t go as well as we’d hoped either. There had been some very rough driving out on track – a lot of it has to do with the layout of the circuit, because of having the start line on a corner. We had the speed, but were not able to score the results the team deserved for all the hard work that went into rebuilding the car in time for this weekend. It’s a shame, because the issues we had were no fault of our own.”

Spencer Sport Team Manager Charlie Jukes said: “I’m extremely proud of everyone in the Spencer Sport team. They worked so hard to rebuild the car and get it ready for our home round of the British Rallycross Championship at Pembrey. Mechanically, the Mirage RX didn’t miss a beat and it’s been the fastest car out there.

“We had a really good start to the weekend, but it’s a shame Julian got hit because our performance until then suggested a win in the Final was on the cards. It ruined both our races and we came home fourth with a rear puncture.

“Sunday just didn’t go our way at all and once again it wasn’t our doing. But we stuck at it and finished third to score some more valuable points – and as a team we should be proud of that. The Mitsubishi Mirage RX Supercar is extremely competitive and for us that’s the most important thing to demonstrate. Once again, we’ve certainly proved that at Pembrey this weekend.”

Support for Spencer Sport’s rallycross campaign comes from Spencer ECA, Oil 4 Wales, Speedline Corse, Hopkins Specialist Race Trailers, Julian Godfrey Engineering, Motul and Sea & Slate Holiday Cottages.