A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR A UK JEWEL
I’ve always had a soft spot for Lydden Hill, and the news that circuit boss Pat Doran has imparted to Motorsport News this week is fantastically encouraging. Given the torrid background the venue has had since it was sold to Mclaren in the early 1990s, the fact that there will be investment and construction at the track is a huge step forward. Growing up in Kent, Lydden was always the ‘other’ track, standing in the shadow of Brands Hatch just a few miles up the road. But the racing at Lydden was always on a par, if not better, than its bigger brother.
But the main thing that the track, which is just outside Dover, had was the earthy atmosphere. Competitors who raced there did so because they loved motorsport. There was no room for showing off or playing the big man. It was all about honest sport. Doran describes to Motorsport News that he can now begin to build a future on some solid footings.
Elsewhere in this issue, we look at another venue which stirs the hearts of fans, and that is the Isle of Man. Reporter Luke Barry speaks to the men who have tamed the island roads, and uncovers the secrets of conquering some of the hardest lanes in UK rallying.
We speak to four-time British Touring Car Championship winner Colin Turkington, who is aiming to write his own bit of history in 2020, when the season eventually gets going.
The WSR BMW 330i M Sport driver stands on the cusp of becoming the most successful driver in terms of outright titles, overtaking Andy Rouse’s record. He opens up to MN and gives us an insight into how he strives to keep himself at the head of the pack.
Historics editor Paul Lawrence reflects on probably the craziest national rally of all time, the Roger Albert Clark Rally in 2010. The mammoth route was decimated by snow, and the schedule was reworked on the hoof by event boss Colin Heppenstall.
Andrew Jordan tells us about his passion for rallycross in his exclusive Motorsport News column, and we have all the action from the latest round of the MN Chris Ingram Rally Challenge, which gave entrants a tough test on the stages of Greece.