Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fight for title goes on despite fire setback
Nathan Heathcote thinks this year’s British Rallycross Championship Supercar title could be anyone’s after a dramatic weekend at Mondello Park in Ireland.
The Pluckley racer, 20, was set to win his semi-final in round four on Saturday when a fire in his Citroen DS3 Supercar forced him to retire from the lead.
But the reigning Swift Sport Rallycross champion bounced back at the next round on Sunday, borrowing Pat Doran’s DS3 to take fourth place in the final and climb up the championship order.
Heathcote said: “It was going so well on Saturday and then it just all went wrong.
“Pat decided I would be more competitive on Sunday and it was decent of him to give me his car.
“I came away with some good points and the championship could still be anyone’s – I just need to keep being consistent.”
Heathcote now sits fifth in the standings – 33 points behind series leader Julian Godfrey, who won both events at Mondello. “I was gutted after the semi-final on Saturday,” Heathcote added.
“The car felt great and we were setting the pace until a small leak from the engine caused a fire and ended it. I didn’t realise it was on fire until the team came on the radio and, because there was too much damage, they decided not to use the car on Sunday.”
Heathcote was set for a podium finish on Sunday before a small mistake on the joker lap exit allowed Irishman Derek Tohill through.
Heathcote said: “The mistake cost me a podium finish which was annoying but I have still come away with some decent points.
“I would like to get a podium at the next round at Lydden but I haven’t driven the DS3 there before.
“There are still four rounds left and I am still fighting for the championship.”
Round six of the British Rallycross Championship will be held at Lydden Hill on August 28, Bank Holiday Monday.