The entries for the first round of this year’s Retro Rallycross season are officially closed and another five drivers confirming their participation in next weekend’s (30/31 August) round at Lydden Hill. Mad Mark Watson, David Ewin, Paul Barratt, Dave Halford and Vince Bristow are among a large list of entries across all three classes, that includes all three champions looking to defend their crowns.
The three categories in Retro Rallycross
Retro Rallycross
All two-wheel drive rallycross vehicles that have, or a type that have, been used in British or European Rallycross up to the end of 31/12/1991 with the maximum engine capacity of 1600cc.
Super Retro
All two-wheel drive rallycross vehicles that have, or a type that have, been used in British or European Rallycross up to the end of 31/12/1991 with the maximum engine capacity over 1600cc.
Group B & 4WD
All four-wheel drive rallycross vehicles that have, or a type that have, been used in British or European Rallycross up to the end of 31/12/1999.
This includes Group B cars as well as cars from the times of European Rallycross Division 2 and later Division 1. Started as a Group B only category, Retro Rallycross opened this class to “newer” cars this year. Imagine races between Group B cars and Kenneth Hansen’s famous Citroën Xsara VTS T16 4×4 or Ludvig Hunsbedt’s Ford Escort RS 2000 T16 4×4 or maybe Per Eklund’s SAAB 9.3 Turbo 16 4×4 which he used to become FIA European Rallycross Champion in 1999. We think with this addition, Retro Rallycross may have a bright future.
One of the first drivers to make use of this addition ist Mad Mark Watson, who will make a return to BRX as he takes the wheel of his 600bhp Citroën Xsara Supercar in which he’s previously contested the Supercar class. He will join the new category alongside four-time British Rallycross Champion Pat Doran (Ford RS200), former Suzuki Swift racer Ian Flitney (Subaru Impreza), Dave Halford (Audi Quattro) and reigning Group B champion Steve Harris (Ford RS200) all vying for the £1000 cash prize.
Champion Gary Simpson heads the Super Retro entry list this year in his Bengt Ekström (Father of Mattias Ekström) replica BMW E30 M3, with David Ewin (Mitsubishi engined-Ford Fiesta MkIII) and Vince Bristow (BMW 328) also now confirmed. They join a stellar line up that includes John Cross (Lancia Stratos R), Phil Collard (Renault 5), Ray Morgan (Ford Escort BDA) and making his class debut Paul Barrett (Ford Escort G3).
In the Retros 2019 champion Stephen Cozens (Citroen AX) returns to defend his title, but will face a tough challenge from the returning Tony Lynch (Toyota MR2), Vice-Champion Simon Hart (Ford Escort MK1), Mark Finch raising awareness for the RAF Benevolent Fund (Ford Fiesta), Terry Moore (Austin Mini), Ian Biagi (BMC Mini Clubman) and newcomer Robert Buckmaster (Ford Fiesta).
Entries “Retro”
| No. | Driver | Car |
| 137 | Simon Hart | Ford Escort MK1 |
| 74 | Terry Moore | Austin Mini |
| 14 | Tony Lynch | Toyota MR2 |
| 150 | Robert Buckmaster | Ford Fiesta |
| 50 | Stephen Cozens | Citroën AX |
| 179 | Mark Finch | Ford Fiesta |
| 56 | Ian Biagi | BMC Mini Clubman |
Entries “Super Retro”
| No. | Driver | Car |
| 99 | John Cross | Lancia Stratos R |
| 37 | Phil Collard | Renault 5 |
| 114 | Ray Morgan | Ford Escourt BDA |
| 97 | Vincent Bristow | BMW 328-E36 |
| 481 | Paul Barrett | Ford Escourt G3 |
| 52 | Gary Simpson | BMW E30 M3 |
| 17 | David Ewin | Ford Fiesta MKIII |
Entries “Group B & 4WD”
| No. | Driver | Car |
| 180 | David Ian Flitney | Subaru Impreza |
| 86 | Steve Harris | Ford RS200 |
| 11 | Pat Doran | Ford RS200 |
| 44 | Mad Mark | Citroën Xsara |
| 177 | Derrick Jobb | Ford Escort Cosworth |
| 555 | Dave Halford | Audi quattro S1 |
Retro Rallycross will appear at five rounds of the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Presented by Cooper Tires starting with the opening round at Lydden Hill on 30/31 August. Double-header rounds will take place at Knockhill (26/27 September) and Pembrey (17/18 October). The GpB/4WD class will contest three rounds, with Pembrey’s double header-round the finale.