The Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Presented by Cooper Tires welcomes the latest confirmed drivers for 2020. Interest is booming in the Lydden Hill Race Circuit run championship, with a number of other top line returning drivers, as well as some rallycross newcomers, to be announced in the coming weeks. The championship visits Knockhill on September 26th and 27th for what is expected to be the fastest event of 2020.
Reigning champion Julian Godfrey has shown his support for the 2020 championship and returns looking for a record seventh title in Supercars. Super 1600 driver Jack Thorne has also pledged to compete under the new 5 Nations Trophy management, with Northern Ireland rally ace Mark Donnelly stepping up for his maiden season in Supercars.
Reigning champion Godfrey proved the man to beat last year with four wins to his name, although he was pushed hard by Derek Tohill to win by just two points. The Ford Fiesta driver has been consistently competitive throughout his career, and is the one all drivers want to beat, such is his phenomenal success.
Super 1600 driver Thorne has confirmed to line up on the grid driving the ex-Thomas Bryntesson Ford Fiesta he raced so successfully at Lydden Hill last August. Thorne collected the car in Germany and on his way home headed straight to the Kent track where he finished second to Godfrey.
Omagh-based Donnelly will continue his long association with Citroen and has committed to piloting a DS3 in the six-round series starting at Lydden on Easter Bank Holiday Monday (12/13 April). Donnelly made his rallycross debut at Lydden last year in a Citroen C4 but moves up to the ex-Doran 600 bhp DS3 for 2020.
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of Liam’s DS3. I really enjoyed the experience in the C4 last year and was blown away by the sheer power of a Supercar off the line. Now we take it up a notch and I’m looking forward to the new challenge ahead. I know there have been a lot of rally drivers that have switched to rallycross, so I’m well aware of the task ahead, predominantly getting used to running in close competition, but I will do my best. I know it will be a tough championship with a lot of top line championship and race-winning drivers returning to Supercars for 2020. Whatever the outcome, I’m certain it will be a great year, and I’m excited to be getting back to competition.”
The trio join a raft of other skilled Supercar drivers who have already been confirmed, which includes former Champion Ollie O’Donovan, triple Supernational Champion Tristan Ovenden, Roger Thomas, Steve Hill and Andy Grant.
Tickets for the Knockhill round are available now.