Kent based rallycross driver Nathan Heathcote competed in the double header at Pembrey in Wales for rounds 7 and 8 of the Toyo MSA British Rallycross Championship knowing that a good result was imperative to keep his championship hopes alive.
Saturdays round 7 saw the day start in the wet, rather unexpectedly. The Ashford driver didn’t let this affect him as he got straight down to business and recorded the fastest time by a 6 second margin in qualifying 1 placing him squarely in top place. However, contact in on the first lap of Q2 lead to Heathcote having to pull up after only completing two laps.
After closer inspection from the LD Motorsport team it was discovered that his Citroen DS3 had developed turbo problems. Despite the best efforts of the team Heathcote was unable to make either the second or third qualifying sessions. This placed him dead last and as a reserve for the final. It was only after team mate Warren Scott withdrew from the final that the Kent driver had his chance. From the back of the grid he managed to make it up to fourth place and rescue what could have been a disastrous days racing.
Sunday saw the direction of racing return to its normal clockwise direction, however, the weather had majorly deteriorated and the first qualifying sessions got underway in torrential rain. Heathcote didn’t let this deter him though and he got straight down to business and made a firm statement of intent right from the first qualifying session and recorded a second fastest and two fastest times to sit at the top of the table at the intermediate stage after all three qualifying sessions. A pole position for the final lead to a near faultless lights to flag victory for the young driver. Notching up his second event win of the season.
With the championship contested over 9 rounds this year there are 2 dropped scores to take into account. Add into the equation that drivers are unable to drop the final round at Croft next month. When all the sums have been done Heathcote currently sits in second place in the championship just 10 points behind Championship leader Julian Godfrey. Ensuring possibly the tightest season finale of recent years in the British Championship.
The final round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship will take place at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on 21st October. Racing will get underway at 09:00.
Speaking after the weekend, Heathcote said: “I’m so happy to come away from a very up and down weekends racing with my second win of the season, which puts me in a great position to challenge Julian (Godfrey) for the title at the last round.
“Thanks to all my sponsors The Channel Commercials, WaterDirect, Countrystyle Recycling, FGS Plant, Greenshields JCB and DUO. A special thanks to the team at LD Motorsports for all their hard work on the car.”
Images courtesy of Matt Bristow