PFCRX driver Derek Tohill used the experience and skill that carried him to a pair of European Rallycross Championship titles and three Irish Rallycross crowns to claim victory in challenging conditions at Pembrey Circuit (June 23).
Tohill entered the double-header weekend at the Welsh circuit on top of the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship standings after a maiden victory in the series at Lydden Hill, driving the PFCRX team’s OlsbergsMSE-built, C-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta Supercar.
A slight technical glitch hampered the Irish team’s cause in the first qualifying race of the weekend on Saturday, in round three of the Championship, but Tohill battled back through the event to finish second in the final to title-rival Julian Godfrey. However, following the race Tohill was handed a penalty for ‘gaining an unfair advantage’ while passing Ollie O’Donovan during the race, and was dropped back to third.
Having lost the points lead to Godfrey, PFCRX started round four on Sunday focused only on regaining the advantage. Stuck on the outside of the grid throughout qualifying, the heavens opened before the finals, making tyre choice a lottery. Tohill made the best start from the front row of the grid, took the lead of the race at the first corner and controlled the pace from the front to claim his second win of the year and return to the top of the standings at the halfway stage of the season.
The fifth round of British RX takes place at Lydden Hill (August 26).
Derek Tohill | Driver | Ford Fiesta #101
“We were delighted with the arrival of rain on Sunday afternoon in Wales. We were confident for the win in the wet conditions as I really enjoy the wet, the wetter the better! We did have pace all day in the dry but a penalty for track limits in Q1 put us right on the back foot. This made the fightback even more satisfying.
The team worked on a good wet setup and it seems we made the right choices so I do have to thank them for that and all their perseverance through thick and thin all weekend.
The relegation from second overall to third on the Saturday through receiving a penalty after contact with Ollie O’Donovan is disappointing, we hope for consistency in penalties for the remainder of the season after we received one each day this weekend.
Although we are delighted with our victory, it has been subdued within the team after hearing of the tragic events at the Donegal International Rally. Our thoughts and prayers go to Manus Kelly’s family and friends, it has been a very sad day for Irish Motorsport.”
Pembrey British RX R3 Final Result:
1 Julian Godfrey (Ford Fiesta)
2 Ollie O’Donovan (Ford Fiesta)
3 Derek Tohill (Ford Fiesta)
4 Roger Thomas (Ford Focus)
5 Steve Hill (Ford Focus)
6 Andy Grant (Ford Focus)
Pembrey British RX R4 Final Result:
1 Derek Tohill (Ford Fiesta)
2 Julian Godfrey (Ford Fiesta)
3 Ollie O’Donovan (Ford Fiesta)
4 Roger Thomas (Ford Focus)
5 Steve Hill (Ford Focus)
6 Andy Grant (Ford Focus)
Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship Points:
1 Derek Tohill 112
2 Julian Godfrey 112
3 Steve Hill 80
4 Ollie O’Donovan 79
5 Andy Grant 57
6 Pat Doran 46
