Lynch ready for challenge to begin at Mondello Park

Wigan racer Tony Lynch will look to kickstart his title campaign when the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship heads for Mondello Park this weekend for the latest two rounds of the season.

Tony and his Lucas Oil Team Geriatric outfit go into the Irish double-header on the back foot after a troubled start to the 2017 campaign, with a pair of retirements in the opening two rounds of the campaign hitting the defence of his Supernational Class title.

In fact, those retirements mean that every meeting now counts for Tony with each driver dropping their two worst scores at the end of the campaign, with round three at Pembrey last time out having seen Tony put his first points on the board this year.

Once dropped scores are taken into account, Tony remains within touching distance of the current points leaders as he heads for Ireland and a circuit where he has taken to the top step of the podium in the past.

The technical nature of the circuit should play to the strengths of his Ford KA, with Tony optimistic about coming away from the weekend with a strong points haul to his name.

“It’s been a tough season so far, but the whole team heads for Ireland in confident mood,” he said. “Mondello Park is a circuit that we have done well at in the past, and even though we know that our main rivals for the title are quick, it’s a venue that is about more than just raw power and where the KA should be strong.

“Despite the way our year has gone, the dropped scores mean we are still right in the mix but we know there is no margin for error. We need two good scores this weekend to keep us right in contention and we’ll be pushing hard to try and bring home some silverware for the first time this year.”

Tony heads for Mondello buoyed by a class winning performance in a one-off outing at the Loton Park Hill Climb last weekend, where he took to the track at the wheel of a Group B Audi Quattro for the first time.

“It all came about by chance really as I met Mick, the car owner, through a mutual friend and he invited me to have a go,” he said. “I jumped at the chance and it was an awesome bit of kit; easily the fastest race car I’ve ever driven. It took some getting used to with the power and the sheer speed but it was loads of fun, put a huge smile on my face and we won the class – so it ticked all the boxes!”