BLEASDALE KEEPS IT IN THE FAMILY FOR RALLYCROSS VICTORY
On his maiden appearance in fully-fledged Supermodified rallycross machinery, Darren Bleasdale claimed a maiden outright victory in the opening round of the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship at Blyton Park.
Driving the Vauxhall VX220 with which his brother Jason claimed both the overall BTRDA crown and the British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Supernational spoils in 2021, Darren Bleasdale dominated on his graduation from the singlespecification BMW Mini he raced last year.
Fastest in all three heats, he started on pole for the final, made the best start to lead on a lap one and won by a convincing margin. He was pushed hard in the opening stages by Fred Ling, until the Ford Fiesta campaigner retired on the loose-surface section mid-race, handing the runnerup position to Allen Crockett in his Vauxhall Corsa. Super1600 Citroen C2 racers Darren Scott and Phil Chicken finished third and fourth.
Todd Crooks had held the final podium position from Scot but clipped the stationary car of Ling on the final lap and dropped to fifth, and last of those to complete the full race distance.
Toyota MR2 driver Marc Jones led the opening half of the Classic final, but spun after the Lincolnshire circuit’s jump. That gifted the lead to Richard Moroney, who took full advantage and won from David Crockett’s Vauxhall Chevette and Lee Wood’s Ford Escort, the later having started on pole but dropped back early on before climbing through the field to claim the final podium spot. One of the preevent favourites, John Cross with his Lancia Stratos, retired after the third heat with head gasket failure.
Charley Moroney led from lights to flag in the Production final with his Citroen Saxo, while Will Ovenden claimed victory in the Junior division, following a thrilling race-long battle with Corey Padgett, who finished second. Newcomer Tyler McAlpine completed the podium. The race had had to be restarted after contact between Ovenden and Owen Robbins, which put the latter driver out for the re-run. James Avisford (Modified), Andrew Hawkes (BMW Mini) and Paul Davis (Subaru Impreza) all led throughout their respective finals to claim openinground victories.
Results
Organiser: MDA When: March 27
Where: Blyton Park, Lincolnshire
Starters: 51
Round 1: Super Modified: 1 Darren Bleasdale (Vauxhall VX220) 6m30.245s; 2 Leigh-Anne Sedgewick (BMW Mini) +8.402s; 3 Darren Scott (Citroen C2); 4 Phil Chicken (Citroen C2); 5 Todd Crooks (BMW Mini); 6 Gary Cook (Honda Civic); Production: Charley Moroney (Citroen Saxo); Junior: Will Ovenden (Suzuki Swift); Production 4x4: Paul Davis (Subaru Impreza); Modified: James Aviston (Ford Focus); BMW Mini: Andrew Hawkes (BMW Mini); Classic: Richard Maroney (Ford Escort)