O’Donovan secures eighth overall in FIA European Rallycross Championship
London-based Irishman Ollie O’Donovan secured eighth overall in his maiden attempt at the FIA European Rallycross Championship, despite a dramatic time at the season finale in Italy, at the Franciacorta circuit near Milan.
Heading to the event on the back of two final finishes, with fifth in Norway and fourth Spain, O’Donovan was aiming to go one better and finish on the podium at the last event of the year in Italy, driving his Team RX Racing Ford Fiesta Supercar.
The Irish driver set 23rd fastest time in the opening heat race of the weekend, and was fighting with European Championship front-runner Joni-Pekka Rajala (Saab 93) in the second heat. Heading over the circuit’s jump, O’Donovan got alongside the Finn, but still side-by-side on landing, the Irishman was left nowhere to go and hit a kerb hard, sending the Fiesta flying into the air, landing on its nose and rolling, before coming to rest on its wheels, causing significant damage.
“We had an interesting first day. I didn’t have such a great time in the first heat; I could have been quicker. I felt I was really on the pace in heat two, Joni-Pekka opened the gap and I had to try and pass him. Over the jump we touched a bit and that sent me to the right. The kerb there was unforgiving and I had nowhere to go. I was having a go and ran out of talent, that’s all I can say really. I was a bit stiff and sore on Saturday night I have to say,” said the Yokohama supported driver.
After an incredible all-night effort from the Tony Bardy Motorsport mechanics, and a number of other teams in the World RX paddock, the Fiesta was repaired in time for heat three on Sunday morning, where in wet conditions, O’Donovan was 17th fastest. However, while fighting for the lead of the race in heat four at the first corner, O’Donovan was pushed into a spin and the resulting heavy contact with the rear of the car against the outside wall caused more damage, and prevented O’Donovan from making the semi-finals. With 15th place at the Intermediate Classification, the Irishman scored two points to confirm eighth in the championship.
“We were in the top four of the European boys in heat three, so the times were there. The crash wasn’t (Peter) Hedstrom’s (Ford Fiesta) fault, and it’s a real shame we didn’t get into the semi-finals. It was just a little tap that put me in the wall, but I knew it was over from there. To finish eight in the championship is very good and more than we could have expected. It is a bit disappointing because we could have finished even higher with a good result this weekend, but we were just unlucky. The boys worked so hard to fix the car, they had about 40 minutes sleep, so massive thanks to them. Chassis wise the car is ok and running wise she’s very good, so I’m sure Tony [Bardy] will get her sorted over the winter ready for next year. At the start of this season we couldn’t get near the semi-finals, so to have been in the final twice is a really good achievement. I think next year we can fight for top five in the championship,” concluded the 2007 British Rallycross Champion.
Italy Euro RX Result
1 Tommy Rustad - Volkswagen Polo (#24)
2 Jean-Baptiste Dubourg - Citroen C4 (#87)
3 Ole-Christian Veiby - VW Polo (#52)
4 Peter Hedstrom – Ford Fiesta (#8)
5 Jerome Grosset-Janin - Peugeot 208 (#74)
6 Tamas Pal Kiss – Peugeot 208 (#16)
European Championship after round 5/5:
1 Tommy Rustad - Volkswagen Polo - 135
2 Jerome Grosset-Janin - Peugeot 208 - 117
3 Ole-Christian Veiby - Volkswagen Polo - 86
4 Joni-Pekka Rajala - Saab 93 - 86
5 Jean-Baptiste Dubourg - Citroen C4 - 77
6 Fabien Pailler – Peugeot 208 – 47
7 Frode Hole – Hyundai i20 – 45
8 Ollie O’Donovan – Ford Fiesta - 41
9 Alexander Hvaal – Citroen DS3 - 33
10 Jonathan Pailler – Peugeot 208 - 32
Full results for the FIA European Rallycross Championship event in Italy can be found on the World championship website: www.rallycrossrx.com
