Two new drivers, John Ward and Georgia Shiels, have signed-up to compete in the RX150 Rallycross Championship this season, racing within the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with ODYSSEY Battery class structure.

Reigning BTRDA Rallycross Champion Ward will move from his title-winning Peugeot 106 to an RX150 in British RX for 2017. He has already begun a programme of testing, competing in a rally sprint at Nutts Corner in Northern Ireland and at the first round of the Irish Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park, the circuit that will host the fourth and fifth rounds of British RX in July (22 – 23). “We’re looking forward to some good racing and hopefully we can get some good results,” said Ward. “I’m up against some serious competitors this year – some serious drivers. It’s a massive step up for me. I’ve never raced anything like this, or as quick as this before, so it will be interesting. We just need to get as much seat time as possible before the season, so we used the race at Mondello as a test. We had a great time driving the buggy and made a few changes to the suspension settings and tyre pressures throughout the day.”

Former rally driver Shiels will swap stages for circuits this season as she aims to use the RX150 buggy category as a stepping stone in her quest of reaching the FIA World Rallycross Championship. The University of Bolton engineering student tested a rallycross machine for the first time recently and is planning to gain more seat time ahead of the opening round at Croft Circuit next month. “I’ve been to watch rallycross few times, it’s a bit similar to rallying in that you can go sideways, and who doesn’t love going sideways,” she said. “My goal is to become the first female World Rallycross Champion. I picked up how to drive the buggy really quickly at the test and had loads of fun. With the noise as well, it really makes your adrenalin rush and gives you a buzz I’ve never experienced before. It’s fair to say I was bitten by the rallycross bug. I ultimately want to win, I’m a really quick learner and I’m working with some of the best in the sport, so we’re going to do everything we can to develop and I don’t think there’s any reason why I shouldn’t win soon really. No pressure!”

The first round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship takes place at Croft Circuit on March 19.

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