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Lynch targets strong start to title defence

by Team Geriatric

Wigan racer Tony Lynch will hope to make a strong start to the defence of his Supernational class title when the 2017 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship bursts into life at Croft.

Westhoughton-based Tony makes the trip across the Pennines looking to maintain the kind of form that saw him storm to the title last year at the wheel of his Lucas Oil Team Geriatric-run Ford KA.

In fact, it was a third win of the 2016 season at Croft back in October that secured Tony the championship crown – with a repeat success this weekend being the main aim for the defending champion.

The winter months have seen Tony and his team hard at work improving a car that proved to be the class of the field last year.

However, whilst that work will help ensure Tony once again finds himself firmly in the mix at the front of the pack, the experienced racer admitted he wasn’t taking anything for granted going into the season opener.

“I’m really excited about getting the new season underway this weekend and hopefully we can start the defence of our title on a high,” he said. “A lot of hard work has gone into putting together our programme for 2017 and the boys have done a fantastic job – as ever – on preparing the car to give us the best chance possible of success.

“I think it’s fair to say that we need to raise our game this year as the competition is looking stronger than ever, with the likes of Paige Bellerby, Guy Corner and Tristan Ovenden all looking good going into the new season.

“There’s no doubt that the Supernational category is going to be one to watch and it could be the most competitive class out there with so many drivers capable of winning.

“Hopefully our knowledge and experience will prove to be key and we can make the most of that when we get to Croft.”

Away from the British Championship, Lucas Oil Team Geriatric’s programme in the BTRDA Rallycross Championship campaign kicked into life at Blyton.

At the wheel of the team’s MINI Cooper, Nick Abbott took third place in the Super Modified C final on what was his first weekend of rallycross competition – and his first competitive outing in a decade.

“I was under no illusions about returning to racing after a ten year break and never racing Rallycross before,” he said. “I did one test day a couple of weeks ago and then straight into the race, but after finding the pace at the end of the day I was more than happy and thanks to the team who did a great job.

“I am looking forward to doing the full season pending sponsorship and can’t wait to get out testing if I get chance and getting to the next round at Pembrey.”