Marcus Gronholm Wins Lydden Hill Rallycross

WRC legend, Marcus Gronholm was in the UK this weekend, doing what he does best – winning rally events. Well, rallycross to be precise, at the British Rallycross Championship encounter at Lydden Hill, in the #43 Best Buy Ford Fiesta Mk7. The record crowd will take away lots of memories – none more so that than the sight of Gronholm tipping the car onto two wheels all the way around the North Bend Hairpin before miraculously putting the car back onto four wheels and even maintaining his lead! The gasps and cheers from the crowd were audible above the roar of the engines. Marcus admitted that even he was a little worried and “I thought, oh I need to keep the wheels straight, but it seemed like forever before it came back down. It was an interesting moment!” David Binks making his debut in the new car set second fastest times in the first heats before a transmission problem meant he didn’t start Heat 2. However, he bounced back well to post the third fastest time for Heat 3 putting himself on the outside of the three-car front row, with his teammate Gronholm on pole. The final took two attempts before getting underway. Marcus Gronholm nailed his start – something that has been his Achilles heel – and led the pack into the first corner. Binks also made a good start and battled fellow front row man Kevin Proctor (Ford Focus) into the first corner. The Fiesta had the pace, but Binks was on the outside line and had to fall in behind Proctor and give chase. As Gronholm controlled the race from the front, Binks initially hounded the back of Proctor’s Focus but couldn’t find a way past. The race then settled into a rhythm as the first three circulated nose to tail without any changes in position. With Gronholm and Binks standing on the podium the weekend was a great success for the Best Buy/OMSE Ford Fiesta team. Binks now has three weeks to look forward to his next event at Knockhill in Scotland. Marcus Gronholm said: "Yes, this was a great result. The Best Buy Ford Fiesta Mk7 was excellent today. I worried myself a little when the car went up on two wheels but thankfully it landed on four wheels! It was a great way to end the season with Best Buy and to see all the fans was amazing." David Binks said: "I am really pleased with 3^rd place although think it could have been better. The Best Buy Ford Fiesta was awesome and it has been great working with OMSE and it is incredible how they prepare the car between heats. In the third heat I was second to Marcus and followed him around and my splits were very even. To be on par with someone like Marcus is tremendous and I couldn’t have done that without being in this car. I am looking forward to the next round and wish it was taking place tomorrow!" And Andreas Eriksson (team manager) said: "Yes, I am pleased with the result although I think we should have been a 1-2. Marcus proved why he is a 2x World Champion and didn’t put a wheel wrong all day – even when he got the car up on two wheels! I must admit I didn’t know what to say to him but you can’t argue with the result. David adjusted to the team really well and he listened to everything that Marcus and myself told him. He has a lot of potential and will win very soon. Having two race winners is a nice problem for me – and Best Buy – to have." Great to see Marcus has still got it, and that Road buddy, David Binks is learning so much from the master. Good luck at Knockhill.