Former Formula Ford Festival winner Chrissy Palmer won the sixth round of the RX150 buggy championship, a support category to the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group at Pembrey, as GP3 star Jann Mardenborough joined the series for his local event.

Palmer started on pole position for the final, thanks to fastest heat times in the first and second qualifying heats, while debutant Mardenborough was fastest in the third heat and started from second position. RX150 regular Stephen Jones completed the front row.

Mardenborough made the best start and initially led on lap one before being passed by Palmer into the hairpin on the loose section for the first time. Double-champion Marc Scott hadn’t had a clean run in the heats, never quicker than third, he made it up to third on lap one of the final as Jones ran fourth with RX150 newcomer Tony Bardy in fifth, ahead of Richard Moore.

On the second lap, the top three began to increase the gap over the rest of the field, but Scott’s weekend of misfortune would continue on lap three when he spun on the loose section. Mardenborough pushed Palmer hard, and made a move around the outside for the lead on the fourth lap but spun the Jelf-Insurance backed buggy in the process. As Mardenborough recovered, Albatec Racing driver Scott pressured Jones for second position, only to spin again, allowing Mardenborough back into a podium position on his debut. At the front of the race, Palmer was untroubled in the final laps and cruised to his third win of the season, and the championship lead.

“The racing was great as usual, I’m just gutted that Marc wasn’t there to battle with, which would have made it even more exciting. I’m really happy with the result, I couldn’t have asked for any more,” said Palmer.

RX150 championship coordinator Ollie O’Donovan was impressed with the performance of both Palmer and Mardenborough at Pembrey. “Jann gave Chrissy a very good push all the way in the final and it was really a pity that Jann did spin, it would have been very close between them, they both drove very well. I predicted that Jann would be on the podium, ok he made it because of Marc’s misfortune, but to finish first, first you have to finish. Again, the buggies have proved to be very competitive and it was nice to give Tony Bardy the chance a run in one, he does a lot for me with running my Supercar so it was nice to give him a run out,” said O’Donovan.

RX150 Round Six: Results

1 – Chrissy Palmer

2 - Stephen Jones

3 – Jann Mardenborough

4 – Marc Scott

5 – Tony Bardy

6 – Richard Moore

RX150 Championship Standings

1 – Chrissy Palmer 203

2 – Marc Scott 194

3 – Stephen Jones 164

4 – Mitchell Flaherty 101

5 – Richard Moore 73

6 – Larry Sargent 71

7 – Dave Bellerby 65

8 – Brett Harris 54

9 – Kevin Feeney 52

10 – George Tracey Jnr 50

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