Rallycross: Brown has high hopes for Pembrey British Rallycross result

Photo: M Photographic

Steve Brown has enjoyed a positive start to his British Rallycross campaign

Rally turned Rallycross driver Steve Brown will aim to score the best result of his short circuit racing career this weekend as he heads to Pembrey for the third and fourth rounds of the Toyo Tyres British Rallycross Championship on 22 and 23 June.

In his debut season contesting the ultra-competitive BMW MINI Championship, Brown has shown impressive form during both rounds so far in 2019 but unlucky fnal performances have meant that he currently lies seventh place in the series.

The double-header at the South Wales circuit will offer the Rochdale rookie the chance to bed into a new circuit and bid for the best result of his season so far.

After spending much of his motorsport career contesting stage rallies, Brown made the full-time switch to the popular British Rallycross series this season thanks to the support of sponsors Lohen, Swift GO, Fuchs Lubricants and 710 Oils.

Driving a Bellerby RX BMW MINI, Brown has mounted a full campaign on the eight-round series which sees the first of two trips to Pembrey this season with the added bonus of the weekend counting for both rounds three and four.

Hampered by loss of power steering and engine power during the opening round at Silverstone meant Brown finished down the order on his debut, but the fifth spot at Lydden Hill was undoubtedly a sign of his adaption to the formula.

Brown believes that this weekend will hold to the key to a turnaround in fortunes for his championship aspirations.

“I think the double-header this weekend will really benefit me as I’ve spent all year learning the circuits, basically whilst I'm racing.

“Having the opportunity to practice and race on Saturday and then again on Sunday means that I can have a very different approach to the second day and not waste time picking lines and spotting overtaking points. Although the circuit changes for the Sunday round, it should still be much easier as I would have bedded in the day before. I`m really looking forward to this one as I think it will be a great leveller.”

With at least nine other BMW MINI’s out on the track, Brown has had to get used to racing against others rather than just the clock in stage rallies. He thinks that perhaps he has been a little tame so far this season.

“I think I’m also going to have to get my elbows out a little from now on too. I’ve been watching some of the footage back and the speed is there, but I’m too quick to avoid conflict on-track and that loses me time. I need to hold my ground more and hopefully being a little more aggressive, coupled with track knowledge should mean there is a good weekend in store.”

Steve is sponsored by Lohen, Swift GO, 710 Oils, PIAA, Questmead, Yokohama and Fuchs Lubricants.