Tohill & PFCRX embark on fresh challenge at French Championship opener in Lessay

British Rallycross Championship leader Derek Tohill will embark on a fresh challenge in the French Rallycross Championship season-opener this weekend [May 2-3].

Having contested selected rounds of the highly competitive French series aboard the PFCRX Peugeot 208 WRX last year, reigning British champion and former double European Rallycross Champion Tohill will start the French season this weekend at a new-to-him venue.

The Lessay circuit in Normandy also gives the opportunity for Tohill to join the rest of the DA Racing team, competing alongside team mates Laurent Le Manac’h, Emmanuel Moinel, Yann Clairay, and Jean-Baptiste Dubourg for the first time in 2026, as part of a 15-strong Supercar entry.

The Irish-French squad enters the event on the back of a dominant performance in the 5 Nations BRX season-opener at Lydden Hill on Easter Weekend, where Tohill claimed double victory and maximum points.

The Lessay event marks the first of eight rounds in 2026, the PFCRX team is keen to continue racing in as many rounds as possible through the campaign.

All of the action is broadcast live on the Rallycross France YouTube channel, starting with qualifying races on Saturday ahead of the final qualifiers, semi-finals, and finals on Sunday.

Derek Tohill | Supercar | Peugeot 208 WRX | #77

“Lessay is going to be a big challenge. I have never raced there before, so we will be learning throughout the weekend, but I would hope to be close to front-running pace by Sunday afternoon. It is a very different rallycross track to what I am used to, with its tight, slippery, and technical nature, so I will have to adapt my driving!

All the team and I have worked very hard throughout the winter, so let’s see if it rewards us in Lessay. After winning the opening two rounds of the British Rallycross Championship, momentum is definitely on our side, which is a nice positive.

The level of competition in the French championship is extremely high, so it’s not going to be easy. We’ll have to be at our absolute best to be in the mix on Sunday afternoon.”