As it prepares to welcome top-level international motor sport back to the South East for the first time in almost three decades, Lydden Hill Race Circuit is undergoing a major facelift to ensure that when the FIA World Rallycross Championship arrives in the Spring, the historic venue is every bit as impressive as the action.

The spectacular discipline of rallycross was born at Lydden Hill just under half a century ago, and its fusion of circuit racing and rallying is currently in the midst of a rousing renaissance. This year will usher in the new FIA World Rallycross Championship – hitherto the FIA European Rallycross Championship – whose fearless gladiators will include the likes of former FIA World Rally Champion Petter Solberg and star names from other disciplines of motor sport.

Lydden Hill will be the second stop on the series’ 12-round schedule on 24-25 May, and as the circuit prepares to play host to a grid of intimidatingly powerful, flame-spitting rallycross supercars – capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in under two seconds, quicker than Formula 1 – it is undergoing a comprehensive redevelopment as part of a three-to-five-year plan.

Central to that renovation will be totally new permanent structures as well as enhanced spectator and competitor facilities. In time new circuit offices will be built but plans for new control tower are already advanced. This striking new modern building will replace its predecessor that had stood for more than 50 years and will be completed in time for the circuit’s maiden world championship meeting. Construction has already commenced after the old structure was personally knocked down by Lydden Hill owner Pat Doran, himself a multiple British Rallycross Champion and European front-runner. The smart new control tower will house timekeepers and officials on its top level and VIP hospitality below.

“Lydden Hill has been the ‘Home of Rallycross’ for generations,” said Doran, “and with the prestigious and newly-formed FIA World Rallycross Championship, we have a golden opportunity to promote our circuit as a world-class venue for the sport.

“When you consider there are only five series on the planet that benefit from official FIA World Championship status, these are really exciting times for rallycross. It is the fastest-growing discipline in motor sport and we are determined to take full advantage of that.

“The last time World Championship motor sport of this calibre came to Kent was back in the heady days of the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch in the mid-1980s, and we are thrilled to have secured a round of the inaugural FIA World Rallycross Championship here.

“There are some incredible venues on the globe-trotting schedule including some build to F1 standards. The redevelopment of Lydden Hill will bring our circuit and its facilities right up-to-date and make it a match for anywhere else on the calendar. The bottom line is that rallycross is really on the up in 2014 – and so is Lydden Hill.”

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