November 14, 2023
The Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship headed south to Lydden Hill, Kent, for the final round of the season.
There was all to race for at Lydden, with only three points separating Will Ovenden and Tyler McAlpin at the top of the table.
Torrential rain fell as the nine junior drivers opened the racing at the 5 Nations British Rallycross Finale and it was Tyler McAlpin who took the win in the opening qualifier.
Through challenging conditions, the young drivers piloted their Swifts through standing water and with limited visibility, their levels of car control impressed onlookers.
Tyler McAlpin went on to dominate in the qualifying sessions to claim pole position for the final, with championship leader Ovenden securing second.
With one of the most thrilling finals of the whole event, the juniors racers showed their talents and with a focused drive, McAlpin was first to the chequered flag to claim Championship victory.
Canterbury racer Ovenden crossed the line second to cheers from his home crowd, followed by 2023 newcomer Ben Bartlett, who has found pace throughout the season to claim another event podium position.
Ryan Smith finished fourth which was enough for him to secure third overall in the Championship standings behind Ovenden.
The championship results will become official once the standard post-season scrutiny is performed, to ensure all the cars are equal and it is driver talent that creates these young Champions.
Peter Gwynne told us, "It has been a fantastic year for the Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship. We have had a new wave of young juniors in for 2023 and it has been great to watch them progress throughout the season, and I have to say, watching them out there in such tricky conditions this weekend, I am impressed at how they all handled the conditions, where there are Supercar drivers that were struggling to keep it on track.
"It is events like this you really appreciate how brilliant Rallycross is for these youngsters. They are coming down the hill, hitting standing water and just throwing it into paddock bend and not lifting!!! The level of car control they have shown in these conditions this weekend, I am impressed with them all!
"We just have the post-season scrutiny to go for 2023 which is standard practice we have in place just to highlight it is all about driver talent rather than anyone trying to get advantages from tweaking the cars."
Carbon Positive Motorsport Director, Steve Smith, has been following the Championship keenly: "What a year it has been for the Junior Swift Rally Championship. Congratulations to Tyler McAlpin, who wins the Junior Rallycross Championship.
"The passion and commitment from both Sarah and Peter who run the championship is very evident, and CPM have been very proud to support the 2023 championship.
"Our commitment to offsetting all of the fuel used throughout the year, a staggering 1104 litres, means that 1380 litres will be offset. This is because our carbon offsets are positive, so we will actually offset 25% more than the actual fuel used, which is why we say we are Positive About Motorsport."
Peter Gwynne added, "It's been great to have Carbon Positive Motorsport supporting the juniors throughout the season and ideal for our future champions to be mindful of their carbon footprint and offsetting from the outset.
"This can only help with more people understanding how they can make Motorsport more sustainable for years to come."
Photo credits: Matt Bristow
Junior Rallycross Championship
Fuel Usage (litres)
8th & 10th April, Lydden Hill - 250 3rh & 4th June, Mondello - 231 Lydden Hill WRX demo's July 23 - 92 19th & 20th August, Pembrey Circuit - 241
16th & 17th September Valkenswaard, Holland -154
3rd & 4th November - 136
Total 1104 litres usage
Total fuel offset - 1,380 litres (+25%)
For more info on the championship, please visit https://www.facebook.com/swiftrallycross and https://www.swiftrallycross.com/
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To become Carbon Positive yourself, visit our website www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com