DOUBLE DUTY FOR LYNCH AT NUTTS CORNER

Westhoughton-based racer Tony Lynch will hope to build on his first victory of the season last time out at Knockhill when the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship heads to Northern Ireland this weekend for the latest rounds of the season.

Unlike the other events on the calendar, which run with the Monster Energy MSA British Rallycross Championship, the Nutts Corner event will see Tony and Lucas Oil Team Geriatric competing alongside the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship; which includes the Lucas Oil Team Geriatric-backed Stockhatch series.

Tony makes the trip to Nutts Corner sitting level with Johny Bean at the top of the championship standings and will hope to secure the outright points lead from the only ‘overseas’ event on the schedule this season.

However, while rival Bean has past experience of the Nutts Corner circuit, Tony will be competing at the venue for the first time and with the Bank Holiday meeting featuring two rounds of the championship – one on Sunday and one on Monday – getting up to speed quickly will be vital to his chances of success.

“Because I’ve not been to Nutts Corner before, I need to make sure I hit the ground running and get up to speed quickly,” Tony said. “Even though I don’t think the grid will be quite as big this weekend with the event being overseas, the top drivers are all going to be there so I can’t afford to hang about when it comes to learning the circuit.

“Johny has experience of Nutts Corner already so you’d have to say that will make him the favourite for the weekend, but I’m going to knuckle down and push him hard for victory. The fact we have two rounds means its even more important to pick up good points this weekend but we’ve also got to make sure we keep out of trouble on Sunday when there is another round to come the following day.”

Tony and Johny both have 34 points following the opening two rounds of the season, although it is Tony who is currently the championship leader thanks to his Knockhill victory.