ROOKETORETURNTOBRITISHRX

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The youngest British Rallycross champion Dan Rooke will return to the series at Silverstone next month.

Rooke, who hasn’t raced a Supercar since the final round of the 2016 season at Croft, will drive Team RX Racing’s Ford Focus alongside team owner and title-contender Ollie O’donovan. Rooke raced in the World Rx-supporting RX2 category last season and won the Swedish round, but has only made ad-hoc driving appearances this year.

“Going back to British RX, I’d like to pick up where I left off and finish on the podium,” said Rooke. “It’s going to be a challenge. I’ve not driven a Supercar for two years, but I’d like I think I can get up to speed quite quickly.”

Rooke has already raced on the Silverstone circuit in an RX150 buggy and tested at the venue in a Supercar Lites machine. “Racing at a high level in RX2 last year, I really had to scrub up on not making silly mistakes. I’m excited for Silverstone, the level is high in British RX and there’s only five points between the top three guys in the championship.

“I don’t want to be getting in anybody’s way but I’m going there to get the best result I can for myself. It’s rare to get the chance to race these cars, I can’t thank Ollie enough for the opportunity.”

O’donovan has won three events so far this season in the car Rooke will race in the finale, while the Irishman will drive his Ford Fiesta. O’donovan leads the standings by four points from Julian Godfrey, with Mark Higgins a further point behind.