British Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy and Isle of Man TT record holder John McGuinness have announced they will race in selected rounds of the British Rallycross 5 Nations Championship this year.
The pair will drive a Citroën C4 Supercar owned by quadruple British RX Champion Pat Doran, son of current World RX driver Liam.
Hoy, who won six gold medals across four Summer Olympic Games, will make his first start in the championship in the season-opening round at Lydden Hill at the end of the month.
McGuinness will make his RX debut in the same 600bhp C4 at Knockhill in Scotland on the final weekend of September.
“I’m massively excited,” said McGuinness, who has amassed 23 TT victories in his motorcycling career.
“The cars are exciting and it’s a real spectator spectacular. I’ve not got a lot of experience on four wheels but wasn’t a million miles off the pace in Gordon Shedden’s BTCC car.
“Trying my hand at British Rallycross is a good opportunity so I grabbed it by the horns. I’ll be able to be brave – I’ll feel invincible with a roof! I’m excited for the new challenge. ‘Do it while you can’ I say.”
Photo: British RX
Hoy has recent rallycross experience, having competed in the World RX event at Barcelona last season. Since retiring from cycling in 2013, the Scotsman has also done circuit racing in Radicals, Caterhams, British GT, and appeared at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016.
“I’m delighted and excited to be back in a rallycross car,” said Hoy.
“I thought it [his World RX debut] was a one-off but it was the one I enjoyed the most, so I grabbed it with both hands when the opportunity to drive in the British Rallycross Championship came up.
“Driving into Lydden and seeing the track below is amazing. It’s a spectacular arena – you can see why it’s the home of rallycross.
“The track is really fun and exciting to drive. You can learn it quickly, but it takes forever to perfect. It’s perfect for novices like me and I’m really looking forward to racing.”
