June 9, 2023
Glorious sunshine greeted the nine Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship drivers who made the trip across the Irish Sea to Mondello Park.
At the first overseas event of the season, 2022 podium placed pilot Will Ovenden wasted no time in getting down to work, clocking the fastest time for the opening qualifying heat. With the advantage of having competed at the Irish circuit last season, he replicated his performance in the following two qualifying sessions before leading the pack in the final, from the lights to the line, to take his first win of the year.
Making his first outing for 2023, Cayden Harris stormed straight into the championship points with a second place, followed by the current Championship front runner Tyler McAlpin, fresh from winning both opening rounds of the series at Lydden Hill.
By day two Tyler McAlpin was up to speed for the opening qualifying sessions of round four of the Championship, having had a day to learn the track, and took the chequered flag in the first two heats, however Ovenden pulled it back in Q3 to secure a front row position for the all-important final, beside McAlpin on pole and 2023 newcomer Tighe Wratten.
As soon as the green lights glowed, it was Ovenden who fired off the line, gaining the advantage into the first corner. Filling his mirrors, McAlpin was looking for any opportunity to slip by Ovenden, but the Canterbury crusader kept his cool all the way till the chequered flag to claim his second victory of the weekend.
McAlpin's second place gave him two podium positions over the weekend, to keep him two points clear of Ovenden at the top of the championship table.
Wratten impressed in front of his mass of Irish family and friends who came along to cheer him on, claiming his first podium position in only his second weekend racing in the super competitive Junior Rallycross series. He now sits in fourth place in the Swift standings, only two points adrift of third place Ryan Smith, also in his debut Swift Season.
As the championship reaches midway through the season, it heads to the Home of Welsh Motorsport next - Pembrey Circuit. With the new drivers improving with every outing, make sure you join us on the 19th & 20th August 2023 for what is sure to be another action-packed weekend.
Carbon Positive Driector, Steve Smith, said " It's great to see the Carbon Positive Motorsport junior rallycross drivers going from strength to strength. The Swift Junior Rallycross Championship got into full steam ahead mode with rounds three and four held over in Ireland at Mondello Park.
"All the team at CPM would like to say a very well done to Will Ovenden for his double win in Ireland and
I hope you enjoy some of the excellent actions shots from regular championship photographer, Matt Bristow."
The drivers and teams now have time to rest and a few weeks off to rebuild the cars for rounds 5 & 6 that will run over the weekend of 19th & 20th of August @ Pembrey Circuit, Wales.
Results:
ROUND THREE - MONDELLO PARK
Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship
1st - Will Ovenden
2nd - Cayden Harris
3rd - Tyler McAlpin
ROUND FOUR - MONDELLO PARK
Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship
1st - Will Ovenden
2nd - Tyler McAlpin
3rd - Tighe Wratten
Photo credits www.mattbristow.net
Carbon Positive Motorsport
Carbon Positive Motorsport is proud to support the Swift Junior Rallycross Championship.
For every single drop of competition fuel used, Carbon Positive Motorsport will be offsetting 125% of the championship carbon footprint in the future with our verified & certified offsetting project partner Highland Carbon. You can read more about our offsetting projects at highlandcarbon.com.
To become Carbon Positive yourself, visit our website www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com where we have set up a friends and family discount code, which all competitors can use if they wish to offset their personal fuel usage to and from events, for both petrol and diesel. Log onto www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com/purchase-offsets and use JuniorRallyX23 The Swift Junior Rallycross Championship
Launched in 2010, the Championship was created to provide a tightly controlled one make championship designed to highlight talented drivers. It offers a level playing field for drivers to develop their car control and showcase their driving skills in these equally powered Suzuki Swift Sport pocket rockets.
For more details on the Swift Junior Rallycross Championship visit:
swiftrallycross.com facebook.com/swiftrallycross twitter.com/SwiftRallycross instagram.com/swiftrallycross It only costs a little to make a big difference for the sport, so whether you're a competitor or spectator, why not join us to help make motorsport sustainable.