Lynch set to kick-start busy 2020 with Retro Rallycross opener

Wigan racer Tony Lynch will kick-start a busy 2020 season this weekend when the new Retro Rallycross campaign gets underway at Lydden Hill.

Westhoughton-based Tony will make the long trip to the spiritual home of Rallycross for the Bank Holiday meeting, which will see the multiple title winner and his Team Geriatric outfit competing alongside the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Presented by Cooper Tires.

Tony’s Retro Rallycross programme – which will run alongside a programme in the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship – will see him at the wheel of the Toyota MR2 that he debuted on track last season.

Originally built for stage rallying, Tony and the team worked hard last season to turn the Toyota into a front-running rallycross machine and were rewarded with Retro class wins at both Pembrey and Croft towards the end of the year.

Having used 2019 as a development season, the focus for the season ahead is to now challenge for championship honours, with Tony ready and raring to go ahead of what promises to be a frenetic season of competition.

“Normally when we get to the end of August, we’re getting down to the business end of the season rather than getting read for the start,” he said. “It’s been a very bizarre year for everyone because of the COVID-19 pandemic and for a while, it looked like we wouldn’t be racing because of it. With that in mind, I can’t to get to Lydden Hill and actually get out on track again, as it seems like an age since the 2019 season came to an end.

“We knew that last year was all about developing the Toyota and I think we ended 2019 in a stronger position than we expected to. Even though we haven’t been racing this year, we have worked hard to make more improvements to the car, although the work we had planned has been impacted by coronavirus and the restrictions that has put on us all in recent months.

“Despite that, we head into round one of the Retro Rallycross season in confident mood and I have my eyes firmly on trying to challenge at the front. It won’t be easy by any means as the field looks very competitive but I know we have a good package and that it will only get stronger as the season goes on.

“Ahead of round one, I’d like to thank all of the loyal sponsors who have stood by us in difficult times as well as our supporters, family and friends. Hopefully we can push for some silverware to reward everyone during the weekend ahead.”