Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Scott takes advantage of error
Motorsport
Warren Scott capitalised on a small but costly mistake by Pluckley's Nathan Heathcote to score his maiden British Rallycross Championship victory at Lydden Hill on Bank Holiday Monday.
The former British Touring Car Championship driver, who only started competing in rallycross this season, swept past his team-mate on the run up Hairy Hill when Heathcote missed his braking point at the Devil's Elbow on lap one.
Citroen DS3 driver Scott had started the final from pole position but was beaten to the first turn by his 20-year-old rival, who chased him to the flag to finish second ahead of Oliver Bennett.
“I reacted badly to the lights and Nathan made a better start than me," Scott said. “I thought the best thing to do then was tuck up the inside of him and hope for a mistake and he went a bit hot into the left-hander which made it easy for me.
“I am pleased with how the final went and Liam Doran and his boys did a fantastic job on the car.”
Heathcote, who had suffered mechanical issues earlier in the meeting, was left frustrated by the error.
He said: “I just missed my braking point and went in too hard to the Elbow.
“I stuck with Warren, though, and had a battle with Ollie Bennett but the car was overheating and then it died when I went over the line.”
Five-time champion Julian Godfrey finished fourth ahead of Kevin Procter, with circuit owner Pat Doran sixth and Ollie O’donovan – blighted by punctures in the semi-final and final – seventh.
In the supporting classes, Canterbury's Tristan Ovenden dominated the Supernational category in his Renault Clio V6, beating Tony Lynch and title rival Paige Bellerby to the flag.
Sittingbourne’s Darren Scott ended Paul Coney's dominance of the Super1600 category, claiming an impressive victory in his Citroen C2 and the driver-of-the day award.
Canterbury's Simon Ovenden – Tristan's brother – could only finish third in the one-make Swift Sport Championship class, falling behind second-placed Morgan Bailey as Rob Shield took victory.
Rob Maynard (Deal) finished seventh, while his fellow Deal resident Don Macleod failed to reach the final.
Betteshanger’s Jason Chidwick and Lee Keeler (Biddenden) competed in the Hot Hatch class but Chidwick’s debut ended early when he rolled at the chicane.