LYNCH MAINTAINS PODIUM RUN IN BELGIUM

Wigan racer Tony Lynch secured another podium finish in the latest round of the Monster Energy MSA British Rallycross Championship to close to within eight points of the championship lead in the BMW Mini class.

Westhoughton-based Tony made the trip to the Maasmechelen circuit in Belgium last weekend (20/21 July) seeking to secure his second victory of the season to bring himself firmly into contention for the title in his first season in the category.

The weekend started well for Tony and Lucas Oil Team Geriatric with victory in the opening heat, and he followed that up with a fourth place finish in heat two.   

The final heat however ended in disappointment when, having been forced into the wall by rival Keifer Hudson, Tony was then excluded from the results following contact as he tried to reclaim his position.

With the team forced to replace damaged suspension arms in time for the final, Tony took his place on the second row of the grid and held fourth place through the opening lap before electing to take the `Joker Loop' - an alternative route drivers have to take once each race - at the end of lap one.

With clear track ahead allowing him to push, Tony then moved up to second place as rivals in front took their turn on the `Joker', with Tony eventually taking the flag as runner-up behind Dave Bell.

It leaves Tony in a share of third place in the championship standings, but with leader Kris Hudson just eight points ahead with three rounds remaining this season.

"We really hoped to be able to come away from Belgium with a victory, but second is still a good result and has helped us to close on the championship lead," Tony admitted. "Winning the first heat showed we had the pace but the incident in heat three was disappointing as I didn't feel there was any need for the initial contact that put me in the wall.

"I hold my hands up that there was contact again when I tried to reclaim my position later in the race but I was surprised to be excluded from the heat. However, that made me more determined for the final and after the work the boys put in to repair the car, I really wanted to bring home a good result for them.

"At the start, I knew I was quicker than the cars ahead and the decision to take the Joker early on almost worked perfectly. Sadly, Dave was able to rejoin just in front of me but he deserved the win as he drove well all day and I'm still pleased with second place.

"We've not been able to make up any positions in the championship but have closed to within eight points of the lead, so it's all to play for in the final three rounds and we'll be pushing hard to make sure we're in the mix when it really matters at the end of the year."