Rally Legend Andrew Nesbitt to Star at IRX Vs BRX Mondello Event

Two-time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Andrew Nesbitt will make an emphatic return to competition for the third and fourth rounds of the British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy at Mondello Park this weekend (May 25-26) in a HALO Body Cams-backed Ford Fiesta Supercar.

Nesbitt is arguably best known for his endeavours competing in Prodrive-built Subaru Impreza World Rally Car machinery on the lanes of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, where he claimed the title twice in 2000 and 2002 within a career that included competing in Ford Escorts, MG Metro 6R4s, Toyota Celicas and Mitsubishi Lancers. The Northern Irishman made his rallycross debut in the Belgian and Dutch rounds of the European Rallycross Championship in 2007, driving a Per Eklund Motorsport Saab 93. He also raced in his home round of the British Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park, and will now return to the Irish venue with Team RX Racing.

Nesbitt will drive the Ford Fiesta Supercar raced to the 5 Nations BRX Supercar crown in 2022 by Patrick O’Donovan, and which also leads the 2024 Supercar standings following the opening double-header of the campaign at Lydden Hill on Easter Weekend.

Patrick O’Donovan will revert to his freshly-rebuilt Peugeot 208 WRX for the event, while Nesbitt has had a seat-fitting in the Fiesta Supercar, and will test for the first time on Friday ahead of his return to the discipline within a three-car line-up from Team RX Racing.

Andrew Nesbitt:
“I’m coming back simply because I really want to get back into a rallycross car, and to do that at Mondello Park with Team RX Racing will be amazing. I’ve had a seat fitting in the car already and I’m really looking forward to testing on Friday. The British and Irish Championships are in good health, motor sport in Ireland is very strong in general; there is a lot of young talent and I’m looking forward to competing with all of the drivers at Mondello Park. I did Rally Legend last year in Italy in a World Rally Car, but this will be completely different, with all the power in a rallycross car. I’m expecting a good weekend – hopefully there will be a lot of fans at Mondello Park and there will be a great atmosphere. Everyone should come along!”

Ollie O’Donovan, Team RX Racing Team Principal:
“I have known Andrew a long time, he is not only a great person but a great driver too. When he enquired as to whether it would be possible to race at Mondello Park with us, we had to make that happen. It wasn’t in the plan for Patrick to race the 208 WRX in this event, but we have had some delays with suppliers in the rebuild of that car, so it makes sense for him to drive it in an event ahead of the European Championship season that starts next month. For Andrew, I can’t wait to have him back in the Supercar paddock, I’m sure he will get up to speed quickly and the Fiesta is a quick car, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.” 

In the unlikely event you have never heard of Andrew Nesbitt, take a look at this iconic RPM clip of him and co-driver James O’Brien on maximum attack…..