Swift Sport and Swift Junior news ahead of Croft
Changes in the Power Maxed Swift Sport camp this season will keep it interesting for 2014 Swift Sport Champion Tristan Ovenden who returns, enjoying his championship prize of a season’s free racing, courtesy of championship organisers Peter Gwynne Motorsport Ltd.
Sittingbourne’s Darren Scott returns, committed to the full season and with the Scott’s Transport Swift having a major overhaul and carrying new sponsors logos including GSF Car parts, Scott will be putting in a strong title chase this season.
Several heat wins and a podium place in 2014 was the confidence boost needed for Deal driver Rob Maynard who is working his way up the pack along with Barnsley-based Jack Brown in the Intercomp Swift who put in some strong performances last year.
Nathan Heathcote will be another one to watch in the Countrystyle Recycling Swift. Formerly from a karting background, the hotshot from Ashford in Kent took the class by storm, winning a heat on his debut at Pembrey.
Yorkshireman Dave Ellis in the Sayers Tanker-supported Swift also enjoyed a podium place at Lydden Hill in August. Ellis joined the championship midway through last season having previously competed in the Hot Hatch class.
Normally a front runner in the RX150 class, Jake Harris makes the transition from rear to front wheel drive, taking out the family SH Racing Swift, whilst newcomer to the class Ryan McAdam also has a change of vehicle previously having competed on two wheels in classes such as the Aprilia RRV450 Challenge and the Bridgestone Supertwin Championship. Making the trip down from Scotland through the night to attend a recent Swift test day, the ambitious Aberdonian is keen to test his talent on four wheels in this ultra-competitive class piloting a Peter Gwynne hire Swift.
BTCC Power Maxed Team owner Adam Weaver is set to make a return having made his rallycross debut here are Croft back in October in a hire Swift. Weaver has since purchased the Mullen Motorsport Swift and plans to compete in the championship, where rounds do not conflict with his BTCC commitments.
Now 17, junior driver and MSA Academy student, Jake Taylor takes the step up to Swift Sports and will be taking charge of the 2013 championship winning car, previously driven by Graham Rodemark.
Newcomers towards the end of last season, Andrew Hawkes and Alex Spencer will also be looking to work their way up the order as they learn the circuits and develop their race
To complete the line up at Croft, joining the British Rallycross scene for the first time, adrenaline junkie Jeff Hankin returns having sampled the Swifts at the final Swift round at Blyton Park in Lincolnshire, last year. Previously having tried sports such as British Bobsleigh and Street Luge, he won the C final at his first Rallycross outing so is set for a full Swift season.
Join us at Croft Circuit, near Darlington to see who comes out a winner.
Narrowly missing out on the Junior champion title in 2014, Northallerton youngster Drew Bellerby has only one mission in mind for 2015 and that is to join her sister Paige, who now competes in the Supermodified class in a Lotus Exige, in holding the coveted title of MSA Junior Rallycross Champion.
Joining her on the track will be Stockton-on-Tees teenager and British Rallycross Best Newcomer for 2014, Jennie Hawkes, who makes up the Hawkes Fire Rallycross Team with her uncle, Andy Hawkes who competes in the Swift Sport class and her father, Supermodified driver Martin Hawkes. Only sitting behind the wheel of a car weeks before the opening round last year, Hawkes Jnr gained speed and confidence throughout 2014 and returns this season aiming for that top step on the podium.
Wanting to try the discipline that is in the motorsport headlines of late, Junior driver Bradley Durdin makes his debut in Rallycross. With previous experience in autograss and karting as well as testing a Ginetta G20, he is keen to add rallycross to his resume’ with the ‘arrive and drive’ hire option provided by Peter Gwynne Motorsport.
Counting down the days until his 14th birthday, round three of the championship at Pembrey in Wales cannot come quick enough for youngster Sam Jones who is set to join the others on track then. In the meantime he is testing wherever possible to get up to speed for his mid-season appearance.
