Liam Doran pips father to Lydden win

Liam Doran survived a last-gasp puncture to beat his father Pat to victory in the fourth round of the British Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill.

Liam won all three qualifying heats to start the A final from pole position in his Citroën DS3 ahead of the Ford Fiesta of defending champion and current points leader Julian Godfrey. But it was Pat Doran who would be his son’s nearest challenger during the race after starting from fourth in his DS3. The multiple British champion had earlier suffered gearbox problems in the second heat.

Liam remained ahead of Pat throughout the race, retaining the lead after taking his Joker Lap towards the end. There was drama though on the last lap when Liam sustained a right-front puncture. It caused him to run wide and off the track at the final corner, crossing the finish line off the road and only just ahead of his father – the difference between them being clocked at just 0.02 seconds.

Godfrey finished third, meaning his points advantage has been cut by Doran Sr from six to four points. Steve Mundy was fourth in his Ford Focus on his return to action following engine troubles ahead of Belgian Jos Jansen and Gary Pusey’s Subaru.

The penultimate round of the season takes place at Pembrey on 7 October.

Watch action from the British Rallycross Championship on Motors TV.

Peter Allen