World Rallycross star Reinis Nitiss to race RX150 at Lydden Hill
Latvian rallycross star Reinis Nitiss will race an RX Racing RX150 buggy at the seventh round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group this weekend at Lydden Hill [August 31].
The 19-year old FIA World Rallycross Championship event winner has raced at the Lydden Hill circuit previously in European and World RX rounds, but this weekend’s event will mark the first time that Nitiss has competed in the British Championship.
The drive came about after World RX commentator Andrew Coley - who will also race an RX150 this weekend, and rallycross journalist Hal Ridge were invited to take part in a Lada Race in Latvia last month, where a number of World RX drivers took part. Nitiss’ RX150 appearance allows the Latvian to take on Coley away from home ground, as he races against the former national rally driver for the second time in as many months.
“I’m really looking forward to racing at Lydden Hill, but also it won’t be so easy because I have never driven a buggy and there will be no time for me to test before the event. I’m sure the British guys are really fast, but I hope I can get up to speed quickly. I’m really pleased to have been invited to race,” explained OlsbergsMSE driver Nitiss. “I can’t wait to see Coley on the track. He can eat my dust,” he joked.
RX150 championship coordinator Ollie O’Donovan is excited to have Nitiss in a buggy for the Kent event. “It’s great that we have been able to host Reinis in an RX150 this weekend so he can race against Andrew and all the regular drivers in the category,” said O’Donovan. “The championship is very competitive this season, there’s nothing to choose between Chrissy [Palmer] and Marc [Scott] at the front. There are great battles throughout the pack. I’m sure the racing will be close as ever at Lydden.”
Ian Watson, General Manager of the British Automobile Racing Club [BARC], who run the MSA British Rallycross Championship alongside Lydden Hill Motor Club, [LHMC], believes that Nitiss’ participation in the event will be a boost for the championship. “It’s great that Reinis will be joining British Rallycross at Lydden Hill. RX Racing has worked hard with British Rallycross Media and PR to make this happen and a lot of thanks must go to Ollie for his help in this too,” said Watson. “To have someone from the World Rallycross Championship compete in British Rallycross shows the progress that we are making in the promotion of the sport and I am sure that Reinis’ appearance will be a treat for everyone on Monday.”
Led by championship leader Chrissy Palmer, 11 RX150s will take part in the event, with the fight for the championship title still wide open.
RX150 Lydden Hill Entry List
1 Marc Scott
5 Kevin Feeney
9 Stephen Jones
11 Richard Moore
55 Larry Sargent
58 Adam Sargent
73 Mitchell Flaherty
89 Brett Harris
99 Chrissy Palmer
Andrew Coley
Reinis Nitiss
RX150 Championship Standings after 6 of 8 rounds:
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