BRC: Doran out of Lydden event

Reigning British Rallycross champion Pat Doran has been ruled out of this weekend’s round at Lydden Hill through injury.

The Winkleigh-based driver has been forced to withdraw from the Bank Holiday showcase event with a back injury, just weeks after moving into second place in the 2010 standings after winning at Mallory Park.

However, Doran’s Ford Fiesta Supercar will still be in action at the Kent-based circuit as son Liam will take over driver duties as he takes a break from his European Rallycross Championship commitments.

Doran Sr meanwhile, who lies just three points adrift of championship leader Andy Grant in the standings, isn’t giving up hope of retaining his title despite his absence this weekend, as each driver drops their worst score from the season’s eight rounds.

"Obviously missing the Lydden event is not good for my championship position but I can't compete as I am and the best thing to do is to miss this one and concentrate on being fit to race at Blyton in September,” Pat said. “I'll just have to be focused on trying to catch up whatever I lose by not racing at Lydden."

Meanwhile, Liam Doran will not be the only ERC regular to make an appearance in the British championship at Lydden Hill with the August Bank Holiday meeting also attracting Kevin Procter, who won on his last UK series event at Blyton in June, and Belgian Koen Pauwels.

Reigning SuperModified class champion James Bird will also make his first appearance of the 2010 season.

Bird is currently building a new rear-wheel drive ‘BMW’ Mini to race next year but will compete with the Renault ClioSport V6, with which he dominated the class in 2008 and 2009, at Lydden.

Watch the British Rallycross Championship on Motors TV.


Andy Wilkinson

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