Close at the top going to Croft

Just three points separate reigning champion Ollie O'Donovan (London) from closest challenger Steve Hill (Aylesbury) as the seven-event Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship reaches its half-way point in round four at Croft in North Yorkshire on July 6.

O'Donovan started the defence of his title by winning the first two rounds of the championship with his Peugeot 306, but Hill was able to close to within striking distance of the championship leader after guiding his Mitsubishi Lancer E9 to victory in round three where O'Donovan finished fifth. A win at Croft would, at least, give Hill share of the championship lead – if O'Donovan finishes second the pair will have scored equal points over the four rounds.

Third place in the championship is currently held by Dermot Carnegie (Dublin) but the Irishman, the most successful driver in the British championship's history, has recently sold his team and retired from regular competition, bringing the end to a career in which he won six British and eight Irish championships.

Carnegie's absence effectively elevates Lawrence Gibson (Banbridge) to third place. The Ulsterman is one of those who drives an iconic Group B car in the Kumho Tyres MSA BRC and has climbed the championship table with a consistent run of top four places in the first three events with his spectacular MG Metro 6R4. Liam Doran (Winkleigh) also drives a Group B car, the 21-year-old proving the surprise package of the 2008 championship with his immense speed in a Ford RS200. Fastest in round one, and in the mix again in round two, Doran has denied results only by mechanical problems with the car but has given notice of his ability to challenge for a win as and when the car stays the course.

Northern stars to shine at home
Among the drivers on home ground during the fourth round of the Kumho Tyres MSA BRC is Newcastle-based driver David Binks who is currently in his first season in the championship's headlining Supercar class. Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer E7, Binks has made steady progress in the first three rounds and finished sixth in class in round three at Pembrey in South Wales at the beginning of May.

In the SuperModified category (for two-wheel drive cars) Dave Bellerby (Northallerton) is the defending champion and still in with a chance of securing a hat trick of titles. Bellerby currently lays eighth in class having scored points in only one round so far. After selling his 2006 and 2007 championship winning Lotus Exige, Bellerby missed the opening round of this year's championship as his new Lotus was not ready to race. In round two, his first event with the new car, Bellerby finished third and was the fastest driver in round three before mechanical problems put him out of the event.

One of Bellerby's rivals in the SuperModified class is Jarrow motor sport engineer Michael Boak who also missed the first round of the 2008 championship. Second place in round two, and seventh in round three put Boak's unique Audi TT into the championship frame ahead of his local event at Croft.

In the Stock Hatch category, teenage drivers Joe Cunningham (Northallerton) and Russell Simpson (York) will hope that a little local knowledge will help them to get on level terms with championship class leader Julian Godfrey (Heathfield) and current champion Tony Lynch (Wigan).

The Bill Gwynne Rally School Junior Rallycross Championship showcases the stars of the future as the best 14-16-year-old racers lay the foundations for racing and rallying careers. The championship is led by round three winner Daniel O'Brien (Milton Keynes) who is just eight points ahead of Jesse Gwynne (Brackley) who won round one. The second championship event was won by Conor Flynn (Derby) who is still making up ground in the championship after non-scoring in round one.

There is local interest in the Junior category as well as Matt Thompson (Darlington) seeks to improve on the hat trick of fourth place finishes he has notched up in the first three events. A previous event winner at Croft, Thompson is aiming to win again on his home track and reduce the 20-point gap between himself and O'Brien.

Harrogate-based Keifer Hudson holds third place in the championship entering round four and, as a complete newcomer to motor sport at the start of the year, has proven the surprise package of the class.

Motors TV will feature the Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship in a regular Friday night broadcast slot in 2008. The standalone shows air at 10pm on second Friday after each round and will be repeated in the Motors TV schedule after the first airing.

Event details
Best of British Rallycross
Event starts at 0930
Adult admission £10, accompanied children 15-years-old and under free
Croft Circuit (DL2 2PN), off the A167 at Dalton on Tees, near Darlington
Phone 01325 721815