Emery achieves clean sweep at Lydden Hill

RALLYCROSS

Faversham-based Stuart Emery repeated his rallycross success from the previous round in Belgium, at Lydden Hill last weekend, winning every race and the Super National class final, writes Dan Wright.

Competing in the British Rallycross Championship, Emery hoped for a good result ahead of the event at one of his ‘bogey’ circuits and took an impressive victory.

Driving his Peugeot 206, he started his weekend strongly by winning his first heat.

Championship rival Ash Simpson (Lotus Exige) did not make it easy, though, and on the last lap, the pair made contact, with Simpson spinning off.

“It was a 50-50 incident,” said Emery. “There was no malice involved and I started my weekend well.”

Emery continued his form into heat two, setting the quickest time and winning his race.

Heat three was more of a challenge with Steve Cozens’ Lotus Exige. He again pushed hard and when Cozens took his joker lap, Emery claimed first and topped the timesheets.

Thanks to his fantastic results in the heats, Emery started the A-Final from pole. Cozens beat him off the line, but a brave move down Dover Slope on lap two gave Emery the lead back.

He emerged with the lead after taking his joker on the last lap and took the flag first.

He said: “It’s great to win. This weekend has been phenomenal and the car faultless. I’ve taken a clean sweep!”

Away from the Super National class, Lydden played host to a number of championships over the weekend.

Liam Doran’s hard-fought Supercar win over Belgian Koen Pauwels was a highlight; Boyzone singer Shane Lynch starred in the RX150 class finishing seventh and the Retro Rallycross series boasted a full grid of rallycross classics.

Freestyle Motocross, BMX and Drifting all supported the rallycross action.