Kentish Express Ashford & District
Heathcote stays in title fight
Rallycross
Nathan Heathcote says winning the British Rallycross Championship next month would be a dream come true – but he will have to overturn Julian Godfrey’s 10-point advantage to do it.
The Pluckley racer, 20, remained in title contention after scoring his second Supercar victory of the season in commanding fashion at Pembrey in Wales on Sunday.
He now heads into the last round at Croft just 10 points shy of Ford Fiesta pilot Godfrey, who already has five titles to his name.
“If I did win it at Croft, it would mean the world to me,” Heathcote, who only made his Supercar debut this year, said.
“I will definitely be going for the event win – and anything could happen as we have already seen throughout the season.
“It will definitely help me in my rallycross career if I could become champion.” Heathcote, who won the one-make Swift Sport Rallycross title last year, bounced back from a fourthplace finish in round seven on Saturday to claim victory in the wet the following day.
His LD Motorsports-prepared Citroen DS3 was hampered by turbo issues on Saturday, which forced him to sit out Q3 and start the final from the back.
“After finishing fourth on Saturday, I thought the title was slipping away,” Heathcote added.
“I knew I had to win on Sunday to stand any chance and hope that Julian finished as far back as possible.
“Unfortunately, he still finished second behind me but I am only 10 points off now and it is still all to play for.”
Heathcote scored a sensational debut victory at Croft earlier in the season in a Citroen C4 and is hopeful of a repeat result next month.
He said: “The C4 was great and I went well at Croft last time but the DS3 suits my driving style more.
“Now I am used to the power of the car, I am definitely looking forward to Croft and hope the car stays reliable.
“The championship is close – there are only 10 points in it – but at the same time it is still far away.
“I am hoping I can win and Julian has some reliability issues so I can take a few points that way.”
The final round of the British Rallycross Championship will be held at Croft in North Yorkshire on Saturday, October 21.
‘I knew I had to win on Sunday. . . it’s still all to play for’
On Sunday, Tenterden held their Final Fling of the season and the winner this year with 29 points was Don Walker. Club president Jenny Crickmore-Porter presented the Final Fling Rose Bowl to the winner.