Rallying: British Rallycross double podium for Brown at Pembrey

Toyo Tyres British Rallycross BMW MINI contender Steve Brown enjoyed a buoyant weekend at rounds six and seven of the series in South Wales, taking a double podium at the Pembrey Racing Circuit qualifier on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.

Brown guided his MINI to third place on the rostrum in the hotly contested series during Saturday and Sunday, to cement his third spot in the championship standings with just two rounds remaining.

Despite being in his maiden season of Rallycross, the Rochdale based driver has shown an impressive turn of pace over the second half of the season in which a second-place at Lydden Hill last month was a highlight. A consistent run of form has seen the rally driver - turned circuit racer knock on the door of the podium positions in every round, a feat which has seen him sit third in the standings during the summer break.

As the season progresses, Brown has been acclimating to his Bellerby RX MINI and thanks in part to return visits to circuits he would have previously had to learn, he has often been one of the leaders in the qualifying heats during the day.

Saturday’s point-scoring opportunity, however, was not so prosperous, with each qualifying heat landing Brown a fourth place and a tricky grid position for the end of day final. But with the bit between his teeth, Brown knuckled down to work his way to third and yet another podium result this season.

The following day was a sharp contrast to the dry and dusty conditions on Saturday, with overnight rain and heavy showers making the mud strewn circuit a tricky affair. But that would suit Brown, and using the skills learnt from his stage rally days, he persevered to secure the fastest qualifying heat time in the opener. That was bolstered by second quickest in the second, but fourth in the final heat was not an indication of his pace that day.

 

 

Brown lined up in second spot on the grid for the final, but a poor start on a now dry track put him on the back foot from the off. However, he once again battled through traffic and a bustling pack to take his second podium result of the weekend.

“I could get quite used to this,” said Brown on Sunday’s podium.

“Overall it’s been a really good weekend and the positive signs are that it could have been so much better too. Just a few mistakes here and there hampered any real progress but I’m starting to build confidence in the racing now and I need to put that together with my driving style. It seems to be working really well and it's great to be in a podium position in my maiden year in the series. I just need to keep that up for the final two rounds as its pretty close at the top of the MINI standings. It will be an interesting final meeting that's for sure.”

The final two rounds of the season head to Croft at the end of October.

Steve is sponsored by Lohen, Swift GO, 710 Oils, PIAA, Questmead, Mintex, Yokohama and Fuchs Lubricants.