Jordan heads back to Lydden Hill and the home of Rallycross
Andrew Jordan is aiming to emulate Lewis Hamilton by scoring a glorious World Championship motor sport victory on home soil when he contests the Motorsport News World RX of Great Britain at Lydden Hill over the forthcoming Spring Bank Holiday weekend (23-24 May).
Twelve months ago, when competing as a one-off ‘wild card’, the impressive Englishman raised the roof at the famous Kent venue – as well as stunning the RX establishment – by finishing an outstanding third in Britain’s round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship. To date, he remains the only British driver to stand on the World RX podium since motor sport’s newest – and arguably most exciting – official World Championship was created at the start of 2014.
Now the action-packed World RX is returning to Lydden Hill with Jordan not only making a welcome ‘wild card’ return but also aiming even higher.
“Going to Lydden for the first time the aim was to reach the semi final but this time I know I have the pace to be right up there with the top guys,” enthused the talented 25-year-old Midlander. “You always need a bit of luck but, after the podium last year, the aim has to be to win!”
While the 2013 BTCC champion cut his competitive teeth in rallycross before switching to circuit racing, his crowd-pleasing podium finish in 2014 was an outstanding performance and one that he thoroughly enjoyed.
“To finish on the podium was one of the coolest things I’ve done in motor sport – it was just an amazing feeling,” he admitted. “I actually felt a bit rusty in terms of rallycross last year – not surprising perhaps as I hadn’t really competed in that form of motor sport for seven years.”
Having rabble-roused in a 600bhp Ford Fiesta Supercar last year, it was confirmed today (Monday) that Jordan has switched camps and will be racing a Team Peugeot-Hansen 208 WRX later this month. He tested the car in France last week and was clearly impressed.
“The 208 felt incredible – it was very competitive last season and the team has definitely made some major improvements for 2015,” he reported. “It was great to blow away a few of the cobwebs, as I’m always surprised by just how quick these cars are.”
Jordan, of course, won’t be the only British driver gunning to become the first British driver to win a World RX event when Lydden Hill stages round 4 of the 2015 championship later this month. Another home favourite, Liam Doran, lines up alongside Scandinavian ace Petter Solberg, the reigning World Rallycross Champion, in a pair of Citroen DS3s; double British Rally Champion Guy Wilks is making his debut in a MINI RX while British Rallycross Championship top guns Andy Scott and Julian Godfrey will be looking for stirring success on the international stage.
In total, no fewer than 30 flame-spitting Supercars will contest four thrilling race heats split between Saturday and Sunday with the fastest 12 qualifying for a pair of knock-out semi-finals – the top three from each then progressing to the no-holds-barred grand final. Fans will also be treated to a full supporting programme of races and other high-octane entertainment.
Advance tickets are priced from just £25 for Saturday and £30 for Sunday. These will rise to £30 and £35 for any remaining general admission tickets to be sold on the gate. Accompanied children aged 12 and under will be admitted free of charge, while VIP Hospitality and a limited number of grandstand tickets are also available in advance.
Those wishing to take full advantage of the advance ticket offer should visit the official www.lyddenhill.co.uk website for more information.