Kent’s very own Liam Doran will be joining forces for the FIA World Rallycross Championship with reigning champion Petter Solberg.
The exciting new SDRX ‘superteam’ – featuring Doran and Solberg in a pair of Monster-backed 600bhp Citroen DS3 Supercars – will make its competitive international debut in Portugal later this month. With two proven winners in harness, the SDRX outfit is among the pre-season favourites for further title success and will be targeting victory when the globetrotting series arrives in the UK for the Motorsport News World RX of Great Britain at Lydden Hill, Kent over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend (23-24 May).
Solberg made history in 2014 when he became the first man to win FIA World Championship titles in two different motor sport disciplines. The ebullient 40-year-old Norwegian won the FIA World Rally Championship in 2003 and then added last season’s inaugural FIA World Rallycross Championship to his trophy collection.
Doran, aged 28, was a multiple winner in the FIA European Rallycross Championship and in 2012 finished runner-up in the overall standings. He is also an X Games gold medallist.
Speaking about the opportunity, Liam said: “It’s going to be a very exciting season for sure. If you’d told me a couple of years ago that I would be team-mate with Petter Solberg, I would have laughed at you, so to be doing this now is pretty cool as there is no bigger name in rallycross.
“I’m really looking forward to showing the local fans in the UK the set-up we have for 2015. Even though I haven’t had the best luck at my home round, I always love competing at Lydden. I grew up racing there and know the circuit like the back of my hand. We have developed the car extensively over the winter and I’m confident we’ve got a good level of performance to take the fight to the competition. Bring it on!”
Neither has Lydden been a very happy hunting ground for Doran’s new team-mate, Solberg. That said, the 2014 World RX champion did win the special TV showdown staged at the venue just before Christmas for what’s now likely to be the last ever episode of BBC Top Gear.
He said: “My luck at Lydden Hill turned after last season with my victory in the Top Gear race. Finally I figured out this great track and, now that I know how to win there, I intend to use that knowledge for all it’s worth.”
Solberg and Doran face stiff competition in 2015 with no fewer than 18 international drivers contesting the full 13-round World Championship. These regulars will be joined by numerous ‘wild card’ entries at more popular venues such as Lydden Hill, where a full-capacity Supercar line-up is expected.
Advanced tickets for the FIA Motorsport News World RX of Great Britain are now available, offering significant discounts. These are priced at just £25 for Saturday and £30 for Sunday with any remaining tickets sold on the gate for £30 on Saturday and £35 on Sunday.
Accompanied children aged 12 and under will be admitted free of charge, while camping, VIP Hospitality and a limited number of grandstand tickets are also available in advance.
Those wishing to take full advantage of the advanced ticket offer should visit the official www.lyddenhill.co.uk website for more information.