London-based Irishman Ollie O’Donovan finished on the podium at the Procters Coaches MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix at Croft Circuit, driving the Team RX Racing Ford Focus Supercar, despite racing through the entire Grand Prix final with damaged rear suspension.

O’Donovan ran well through the heat stages, qualifying on the outside of the front row of the final. In the run to the first corner, the 2007 British Rallycross Champion climbed to second position, but was hit in the right rear wheel, breaking the rear suspension. Using skills honed in rallying and rallycross, O’Donovan hung onto second position until the end of lap four, when he was passed by Andy Scott (Peugeot 208). O’Donovan pushed Scott hard to the finish, but was grateful to make it to the chequered flag with a wounded car.

“We were consistent all day, which was brilliant considering we were down about one hundred horsepower compared to the others. In the morning, I really didn’t think we would make it to the final, so be to be on the front row, we were more than happy. When I got a tap in the first corner I thought the race was over, and I couldn’t believe I managed to hang on to second for as long as I did. The Focus has still got it,” said O’Donovan.

The result followed a troubled day on Saturday - the final round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group, where the team were dogged by a niggling electrical problem. Unfortunately, due to O’Donovan’s poor points haul compared to that of Kevin Procter (Ford Fiesta), the Team RX Racing driver was piped to third in the championship by a single point. “Saturday was the worst day in my career of rallycross. I was last in every heat, timed practice, everything. It was just unlucky. We’ve had a good run through the British Championship overall this year but some bad luck has let us down. I really felt for the boys on Saturday, they worked so hard to get the car going right and it’s thanks to them I made it to the podium on Sunday.”

Also running under the Team RX Racing banner at Croft, Mitsubishi Evo driver Steve Hill scored a pair of fifth place finishes to claim sixth overall in the championship standings.

The team now heads to Italy, where O’Donovan will return to his Ford Fiesta Supercar for the final round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship at Franciacorta. On the back of two final finishes in the championship, O’Donovan is immersed in a close fight for eighth in the standings. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the Fiesta this weekend in Italy. It’s very close at the moment; I’m between the two Pailler brothers in the points. We’re aiming for the semi-finals and if I can finish in the top ten in the championship, I’ll be more than happy.”

Full results for the MSA British Rallycross Championship and MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix can be found on the championship website: www.rallycrossbrx.com

Entry lists and information ahead of the final round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship can be found on the World and European Championship website: www.rallycrossrx.com

MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix Result – Sunday 11 October

1 Julian Godfrey – Ford Fiesta (#1)

2 Andy Scott – Peugeot 208 (#26)

3 Ollie O’Donovan – Ford Focus (#2)

4 Andy Grant – Ford Focus (#3)

5 Steve Hill – Mitsubishi Evo (#5)

6 Dan Rooke – Citroen AX (#40)

Croft Result Round Eight British Rallycross Championship – Saturday 10 October

1 Kevin Procter – Ford Fiesta (#10)

2 Andy Scott – Peugeot 208 (#26)

3 Andy Grant – Ford Focus (#3)

4 Julian Godfrey – Ford Fiesta (#1)

5 Steve Hill – Mitsubishi Evo (#5)

6 Mad Mark – Citroen Xsara (#44)

MSA British Rallycross Championship Final Standings:

1 – Julian Godfrey 234

2 – Andy Scott 227

3 – Kevin Procter 206

4 – Ollie O’Donovan 205

5 – Andy Grant 198

6 – Steve Hill 168

7 – Mad Mark 131

8 – Steve Mundy 117

9 – Steve Harris 100

10 – Pat Doran 78

European Championship after round 4/5:

1 Tommy Rustad - Volkswagen Polo - 105

2 Jerome Grosset-Janin - Peugeot 208 - 99

3 Joni-Pekka Rajala - Saab 93 - 74

4 Ole-Christian Veiby - Volkswagen Polo - 67

5 Jean-Baptiste Dubourg - Citroen C4 - 53

6 Frode Hole – Hyundai i20 – 45

7 Fabien Pailler – Peugeot 208 - 43

8 Ollie O’Donovan – Ford Fiesta - 39

9 Jonathan Pailler – Peugeot 208 – 38

10 Peter Hedstrom – Ford Fiesta - 27

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