Former British Rally Champion Llewellin gets RX150 for Pembrey
Two-time British Rally Champion David Llewellin is set to race in the third and fourth rounds of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with ODYSSEY Battery at Pembrey, South Wales (May 1 – 2).
Llewellin will compete in the RX150 Rallycross Championship category at the double-header event, driving the ODYSSEY Battery celebrity buggy. The Welshman tested at his home rallycross venue last week. “Rallycross appeals to me because you’ve got the mixed surfaces and plenty of miles with the qualifying races, semis and finals,” said Llewellin. “The buggy was awesome. It makes you smile, it’s bloody quick and that’s what gives you adrenalin. You’ve got the sweat on your forehead and the smile on your face – that basically says it all. I wasn’t sure whether to do it or not, so I wanted to try it first, but I am sure now.”
Widely regarded as one of Wales’ best ever rally drivers, Llewellin won the British Rally title in 1989 and 1990. “In rallying we’re on our own [in a stage], so the racing will be the most difficult part for me. I can drive the buggy and the gravel parts suit me great, so I think it’s just the race craft that I’ll have to work on. I don’t mind the change in surfaces, because I’m very confident going onto the gravel and coming onto the tar you’ve got more grip anyway. I think if there’s anywhere where I can really use my experience from rallying it’s actually going onto the gravel. I think having the cars around me is definitely the biggest challenge.”
RX150 promoter Ollie O’Donovan thinks Llewellin can run at the front of the class at Pembrey. “To rally people like me, Dai is one of the top boys. As everybody knows, if things had been different for him in his career I’m sure he would have made it to the very top of world rallying,” said O’Donovan. “It’s an honour to have him in an RX150. At the test he was immediately on top of the buggy, and he was giving good feedback on how he felt it was. I’m excited to see what he can do at Pembrey.”
The RX150 championship is currently led by reigning category champion Chrissy Palmer.