Double European Champion Derek Tohill returned to rallycross after an absence of more than a year at Lydden Hill for the opening two rounds of the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy, claiming an impressive victory.

 
Just getting to the event at the world’s most famous rallycross circuit with the Covid-19 and Brexit challenges in place was a result for the PFCRX squad after months of waiting to return to action. Derek and the Olsbergs MSE-built, C-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta Supercar were straight back on the pace in the opening round with the fastest time in Free Practice on Saturday morning.
 
Transmission issues meant Derek ultimately claimed fourth place in the opening event which featured an ultra competitive Supercar field. In round two on Monday, the Irish team and driver ran at the front of the order throughout qualifying to take pole position for semi-final two, but third in the race meant a third row start for the all-important final.
 
In the last race of the weekend, Derek pulled out all the stops and charging into the lead on the opening lap with a number of impressive overtakes to claim victory.

The result puts Derek in the hunt for the series lead, with the next round set to take place at the team’s home Mondello Park circuit next month (July 9-10).

Derek commented, “It’s unbelievable how tight the whole grid was on pace, the win could have been anyone’s. We had a bad start in the semi-final which put us on the back row for the final, but the fact that we came from sixth to win it just showed how close it was. Our pace was really good and the racing was hard, but the really tough ones to win are the ones that feel so great. The lads in the team have made a lot of sacrifices to just be here so to win the final in round two was just mega for all of us.” He added, “I’ll be incredibly disappointed if the championship doesn’t get to Mondello for the next round. Racing is resuming in Ireland now and there’s no reason for rallycross not to go there. If there’s a will there’s a way – we’ve proved that the fear factor of the travelling is no big deal, everyone we spoke to about travelling to Lydden was very helpful and we can’t wait to welcome British Rallycross back to Ireland.”