LHMC wins BRC and GP

[:) RallyX]

Lydden Hill Motorsport Club wins British Rallycross Championship and British Rallycross Grand Prix contracts.


The MSA British Rallycross Championship will be promoted by LHMC for the next three years

Lydden Hill Motorsport Club (LHMC) has secured a three-year contract to run the MSA British Rallycross Championship. In a separate tender, the club has also won the contract to organise the British Rallycross Grand Prix, both agreements cover the period 2010-2012.

Established in 2008 by Lydden Hill Race Circuit managing director Amy Doran, LHMC has organised the 2009 Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship. "I'm delighted that our tenders were successful. We've introduced some changes to the British Rallycross Championship (BRC) this year and with a long term contract we are now in a position to build on those changes. I will develop the plan outlined in our tender, the BRC will become an elite British championship, appearing at quality venues and providing an exciting and enjoyable spectator experience for a large and varied audience," said Doran.

“The MSA received a good response to its invitation to tender for the MSA British Rallycross Championship and also the MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix,” said Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive. “Following careful consideration we are pleased to confirm that we have signed a contract for both these MSA British titles with Lydden Hill. We are confident that they are the right partner to continue the development of this important and exciting discipline of motor sport."

While there are unlikely to be any major changes to either the sporting or technical regulations under which the championship is run, new elements will be introduced to the championship. "We are going to include a new one-make series within the British championship events, it will provide an accessible and affordable way in which people can become involved in Rallycross," said Doran, "The RX150 formula has done a great job in attracting new competitors and will remain a part of BRC events. The new series will offer the same kind of opportunity with a conventional saloon car." The prototype car for the one-make series is scheduled to be unveiled during the fifth round of the 2009 Kumho Tyres MSA BRC at Lydden on August 31.

The 2009 BRC has been run by LHMC under a sub-contract from the British Rallycross Drivers Association (BRDA) which has held the contract to run the MSA British Rallycross Championship since 2003. The BRDA will retain an involvement in the championship through provision of senior officials to run the events while day-to-day management as well as championship promotion and marketing is handled by the permanent staff at Lydden under Doran's direction.


The BRC aswell as the British Grand Prix will be managed by Lydden

British Rallycross Grand Prix
In acquiring the contract to run the British Rallycross Grand Prix, LHMC aims to revive what was once a major event in the UK motor sport calendar, but is keeping its options open as to how this is achieved.
The British Rallycross Grand Prix became a huge spectator event when it ran as an end-of-year showdown at Brands Hatch between 1982 and 1994. After two years when the title was awarded at the British round of the European championship, the event lapsed until it was run at Croft in 2002, and again in 2004, since when it has not been run.

"The obvious thing to do is to run it as an end-of-season event at Lydden because we control the circuit and would be able to reinvest the revenue from the event in Rallycross. I have other options, including using the Grand Prix title on the European championship event or running it at another venue. Now we are in position to take decisions, we will develop the plans and make announcements about the event in due course," said Doran

[leonidas]

The BRC deal is predicatable I suppose, the GP deal less so. I suppose the question is where does this leave Croft and the Superprix? There have been some fantastic events at Croft over the last few years. Could it mean there will be no top-class rallycross in the north of England? Will Scandanavians want to go to Lydden when it is difficult to get them even to Croft?

It seems likely that all the big meetings will now be at Lydden (the big bank holiday BRC rounds, the ERC and the Superprix). Where does this leave the other tracks?

[Audi S1]

The below answers most of your questions ref circuits, events and classes, information direct from LHMC.

The MSA British Rallycross Championship and the British Rallycross Grand Prix will be organised by Lydden Hill Motorsport Club (LHMC) in 2010, ’11 and ’12

LHMC has run the 2009 Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship, assuming responsibility for the championship under a sub-licence from the BRDA which has held the MSA contract to promote the championship since 2003. BRDA will retain a role in the BRC by providing the event organisation team and championship coordinator. The responsibility for day-to-day administration of the championship as well as marketing and promotion will be placed with Lydden's full time staff and Lydden Circuit MD Amy Doran.

The successful bid prepared by LHMC details a plan to raise the profile of the BRC among spectators and competitors.

The strategies used successfully to attract a large and diverse live audience to Easter's European championship event at Lydden will be developed and employed in the BRC.

An accessible and affordable new one-make category will be introduced to BRC events from the start of 2010. This will be based around a saloon car built to tightly controlled technical regulations. The prototype car will be displayed at Lydden during round five of the 2009 championship on August 31.

In 2010, as this year, the BRC itself will continue to be open to Supercar and SuperModified drivers with points won in the Superfinal.

There will be no immediate change in technical regulations. Use of cars compatible with European championship rules will be encouraged, especially Division One-A (Super1600) cars that run within the SuperModified class.

Events forming rounds of the BRC will continue to include Junior Rallycross, RX150 and the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship. Reflecting its clubmans credentials, the Stock Hatch category will be run exclusively within the BTRDA series.

The MSA British Rallycross Championship will maintain its strong links with the Motorsport Ireland Rallycross Championship. Dates and venues for the 2010 BRC have yet to be finalised, but a provisional agreement has been reached for the championship to start with a double-header weekend at Nutts Corner and Mondello Park on March 6 and 7. The events are also expected to form the last two rounds of the 2009-2010 Irish championship. The Irish championship is expected to appear at a British event later in the year.

It is planned that a wider range of venues will be used to host BRC events. Introduced to host the final round of the 2009 championship, Mallory Park will be used again in 2010. In addition to returning the British championship to Nutts Corner for the first time since 2004, LHMC have already had discussions with circuit management at Anglesey, Castle Combe, Croft and Knockhill.

[leonidas]

Thanks. Good to see Div 1a being encouraged. Is the new formula the 'Div2 lite' idea? The news about new venues is very welcome. It is a big job though as entirely new tracks will obviously be needed at Castle Combe and Anglesey - and Knock Hill will also need a lot of work.

The only concern I have is the obvious danger of one track running everything. We all know how difficult it is to make ends meet in this sport so it will be understandable if Lydden were to keep all the 'major dates' for themselves. It would make commercial sense for them and could also mean cash for more upgrades to the circuit. Whether that would be good for the sport in the rest of the country is debateable I guess.

[Hickey]

I think this is really encouraging news. I understand the bias towards Lydden may be an issue, but it is clear that they are trying to broaden the horizons and a current BRC champion/ERC regular being behind it can only be good news in terms of the decisions they will make. Plus they are massive RX fans, and want what's best for the sport

Plus, I am from Kent and therefore look forward to the BRC, ERC and GP at Lydden!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by leonidas

The only concern I have is the obvious danger of one track running everything. We all know how difficult it is to make ends meet in this sport so it will be understandable if Lydden were to keep all the 'major dates' for themselves.

Effectively though you're only adding one 'big date' to the calendar (the GP), Lydden has historically had two rounds in the British championship and Lydden have brought the ERC back to these shores (but obviously that's completely separate to the MSA championship).

Good to see some more circuits being mentioned as possibles too, Combe have been muttering about putting in a Rallycross circuit for a while, it'll be good to see it become reality. Angelsey would be good to have back on the calendar too - along with the return of Nutts Corner it adds viable venues for the Irish Championship too.

[tbtstt]

Minor arguments aside, I fail to see how this can be anything but good news.

As long as the GP (if it does indeed end up at Lydden) doesn't "kill off" any other events then its two thumbs up from me. The fact other circuits are being mentioned in the same breath seems encouraging to me for UK rallycross as whole.

Great news - long may it continue with regards to rallycross!

[BOY BLUNDER]

Well that has put a big smile on my fac that is really good for rx in whole,well done LHMC and the all the people concerened for achieving this.

BB....

[ebby]

Congratulations to LHMC, now the next task for the Grand Prix to be televised live on terrestrial TV from Brands Hatch!

[Thundersports]

Originally Posted by ebby

Congratulations to LHMC, now the next task for the Grand Prix to be televised live on terrestrial TV from Brands Hatch!

I think that maybe a little optimistic!

Well done to LHMC all the hard work seems to have paid off.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Thundersports

I think that maybe a little optimistic!

Optimistic maybe... but we can hope!

[Peter Mallett]

Interesting to see Castle Combe on that list, considering the noise issue down there. As to the northern circuits both Croft and Knockhill are getting a chance so a good spread of circuits IMO.

[chunder]

Am amazed at Combe being on the list, they sem to be in constant threat of closre from noise so it is nice that they seem to be loking at new events

Does anyone know how theya re going to put together a track? Do they have large shale areas!!

[sihorton]

I was at the new anglesey circuit not long ago and it's a fantastic venue now.
Not sure where they would fit a loose section in, but the circuit is fantastic and certainly has the rest of the facilities required for a major meeting.

Would love to see that back on the calender in one form or another

[leonidas]

Yes I would love to see Anglesey back - really miss the trips to those parts of north wales. I suspect Combe may be a longer shot but who knows?

Interesting to see that the Open boys have announced today that the Superprix will continue at Croft in 2010. So now not only do we have two championships we have two rival grand prix as well. Would it really be impossible for all parties to agree and have one grand prix at Croft, the now established location for this event?

[davo uk]

well done to LHMC.
anyone got any ideas/clues to the new one make series?

[Big]

Originally Posted by davo uk

...
anyone got any ideas/clues to the new one make series?

Originally Posted by Audi S1

The below answers most of your questions ref circuits, events and classes, information direct from LHMC...

...An accessible and affordable new one-make category will be introduced to BRC events from the start of 2010. This will be based around a saloon car built to tightly controlled technical regulations...


...Reflecting its clubmans credentials, the Stock Hatch category will be run exclusively within the BTRDA series....

So the new one-make category will replace the Stockhatch class in the BRDA at BRC events !?!

Surely the one-make category couldn't be the old E30 BMW's that run in the Open Champ??

It's a good for the profile of Rallycross to move the old Pug 205's out of what is the premier championship, but to replace them with BMW's that are just as old seems pointless.

The only reason to bring in these old BMW's is as an additional revenue stream, plenty of these BMW's already racing/rallying and class quite well supported in the Open Champ!

I could well be wrong, and the new one-make category could bring in an exciting new model, but what affordable 'saloon' cars are out there racing that aren't 15 - 20 years old ??

So come on those in the know, what make/model is this new one-make saloon car category goning to be?

[MESHGA]

Well dont take this 100% but they could be Ford Fiesta's ???
Prob a lot more expensive than a stockhatch maybe???
Be interesting to find out 100% !
So is this the end of SH in the british ? What happens to all the new cars being built to new regs ? Ok BTRDA is a great championship but i tend to side with the thought most will go north and race ! What do you guys out there think?
Whilst im asking questions whats the opinion on 1 family practically controling the sport in this country?

[Audi S1]

Originally Posted by davo uk

well done to LHMC.
anyone got any ideas/clues to the new one make series?

Suzuki Swift!!!

[Thundersports]

Originally Posted by Audi S1

Suzuki Swift!!!

[MESHGA]

Originally Posted by Audi S1

Suzuki Swift!!!

How about this for a thought !!! It could be a concept of mixed use ,Rally/Rallycross car 140HP priced around the 12-14k mark .

[BertMk2]

There won't necessarily be two "grand prix" events - LHMC have won the rights to use the name "MSA Rallycross Grand Prix" - they could use that for an event run alongside an existing meeting (ERC or British Championship Round) or they could do a deal with the ROC to run the Superprix as the Grand Prix or it could be run at Croft (or any other circuit) as a stand alone event.

[MESHGA]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

There won't necessarily be two "grand prix" events - LHMC have won the rights to use the name "MSA Rallycross Grand Prix" - they could use that for an event run alongside an existing meeting (ERC or British Championship Round) or they could do a deal with the ROC to run the Superprix as the Grand Prix or it could be run at Croft (or any other circuit) as a stand alone event.

Dream on !!! where have you been for the last 4 years?

All this would of never been aloud to happen if this was 20 years ago !
and MR C still around

R.I.P. RALLYCROSS was a great thing

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by MESHGA

R.I.P. RALLYCROSS was a great thing

agreed

[Stephen H]

Worried that a super and grand "prix" will cause confusion amongst drivers.

In my dream world, would like to see the two events paired together, as with the brands hatch and cadwell park internationals.

The grand prix used to be a place where drivers exchanged cars or debut new, Dimi getting the Wurz Quattro, Ford parting with all the RS200`s after the RAC rally. Thor Holm developed his RS200 during the lydden winter series.

therefore two events one south, one north, a place for last drives in cars and a place to debut new purchases.

Neither event to be a copy of an euro event. Different format.

the southern event to target the french, belgium and dutch drivers the northern the scandinavians with hopefully some doing both.

Love to see french div3 cars over here and maybe the belgium supernational type cars.