Home   Canterbury   Sport   Article

Tristan Ovenden assesses options for 2017 British Rallycross Championship following Supercar test at Lydden Hill

Canterbury’s Tristan Ovenden is assessing his options for 2017 after enjoying a “fantastic” test in a British Rallycross Championship Supercar at the weekend.

The former motocross racer, 41, got behind the wheel of Dan Rooke’s title-winning Citroen DS3 at Lydden Hill on Saturday.

Ovenden – who won the one-make Swift Sport Rallycross title in 2014 and 2015 – completed 16 laps in the four-wheel-drive, 600bhp machine.

Ovenden tested the Citroen DS3 raced by Dan Rooke. Picture: Joe Wright
Ovenden tested the Citroen DS3 raced by Dan Rooke. Picture: Joe Wright

He said: “I have not got any plans set at all for next year.

"It definitely would not be a full season in a Supercar but if they still had the car, I might do a one-off round.

“The dream would be to be in Supercar full-time but it is a lot of expense.”

Ovenden finished second to Dartford’s Paul Coney in the Super 1600 championship this year, handling a Goody Demolition-backed Suzuki Swift.

Ovenden will race in SuperNational
Ovenden will race in SuperNational

He had previously driven a Supercar before, testing the same Citroen machine at Lydden in February.

Ovenden – who competed in the RX Lites series at Lydden last year – added: “It was good of Pat (Lydden owner Pat Doran) to let me have a go and it was nice to get a few more runs in the car.

“It is a great piece of equipment. It is completely different to what I have done before with the Swifts and it was a fantastic day.

Ovenden in action in his Super1600 Suzuki Swift at Lydden Hill in 2016. Picture: Joe Wright
Ovenden in action in his Super1600 Suzuki Swift at Lydden Hill in 2016. Picture: Joe Wright

“If we did decide to do Super 1600 again next year, we could upgrade our car but we have got to do too much to it to make it competitive.”

Ovenden joined Pat and Liam Doran at the test, as well as fellow Citoen DS3 driver Jake Harris.

He said he was also going to try an RX150 buggy later this year, driving one of the bike-engined one-make machines for the first time.

Pluckley's Nathan Heathcote, who competed against Ovenden's brother, Simon, this year, revealed his intentions to step up to the Supercar class last month.

The 2017 MSA British Rallycross Championship will start at Croft in Yorkshire on March 19, before visiting Lydden Hill on Easter Monday and August Bank Holiday Monday.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More