Morgan Heads Ripla Retro Rallycross Title Race

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Morgan Heads Ripla Retro Rallycross Title RaceThe Monster Energy MSA British Rallycross Championship, in association with MaKTraK returns to Pembrey for the first time since 2010 this weekend when the penultimate round of the six-event series takes place at the home of motor sport in Wales. Included within the various classes is the Ripla Retro Rallycross Challenge which hits the halfway point in the four meeting series. New to the championship this year, Retro Rallycross is the first series for historic or classic cars, pre-1982 and 1982-'87 which includes all four wheel drive cars, and was launched at Mallory Park in July before running its second event at Lydden in August. Ray Morgan (Right) currently leads the Ripla.co.uk Retro Rallycross Challenge Currently leading proceedings following comprehensive victories in the opening two rounds is Hastings driver Ray Morgan in his 2.0 litre BDA-powered Ford Escort Mk3. He leads Cheshire legend Rob Gibson's Group B MG Metro 6R4 by 14 points after Rob's third and second place finishes so far. One point separates the battle for third in favour of Irish-based Pole Grzegorz Kalinecki (Lancia Delta HF Integrale) over Scotsman Ian Biagi (1380cc Mini Cooper S) with Barry Stewart from East Sussex scoring well in his ex-Rolf Nilsson Porsche 911 along with James Harrold's iconic RWD VW Beetle Turbo last time out at Lydden Hill. Sadly, Harrold does not anticipate being able to bring his car out again this season following recent engine failure which cannot be fixed in time for Pembrey but is hopeful he may still make the final round at Croft later this month. Pembrey will see the first outing for Marc Griffin in his Ford Fiesta commenting: ''I am both excited and nervous all rolled in to one. I feel that the sport of Rallycross is just right for me and believe that the Ripla.co.uk Retro Rallycross Challenge is set to grow as the interest seems high with both competitors and spectators." Marc displayed his car at Lydden Hill, and it's impressive appearance in Haynes of Maidstone livery was very eye catching as well as being a big hit with spectators. Marc Griffin will be debuting his RWD Mk1 Fiesta at Pembrey Mark Thomas, who has been busy throughout the summer getting his Ford Anglia ready for competition, has confirmed that he expects to compete at the MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix meeting at Croft. This will not only be the first appearance for the car, but also the first time that Mark has tried his hand at Rallycross. Mark's father, a regular motorsport competitor himself, has had such a heavy work load keeping his owns cars on the tack, that he has had to put Marc's Anglia on the back burner but has been chipping away at the preparation at every available moment. The car did feature at the demonstration day at Lydden Hill in March, and whilst it did not go out on the track, proved very popular. Another welcome newcomer to the series is Paul Smith will be joining the series this year in his VW Polo and will enter for the MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix weekend at Croft Circuit on 27/28 October. Paul, who is looking forward to meeting his fellow competitors in the Retro Arena at Pembrey this Sunday, will commit to the whole series in 2013. Another attraction at Croft will be local driver Terry Maynard in action in the ex Dimi Mavropoulos Audi Quattro. The organisers have received interest from other competitors who are currently building cars for the 2013 series and look forward to making those announcements very soon. The special deals that the Retro Rallycross competitors have enjoyed during 2012, consisting of reduced and free entries along with prize fund, is already being planned for 2013. Shirley Gibson, Championship Co-ordinator said: "Sponsorship money that has come in during this first year has been used to benefit our team members, and I am committed to continuing that for 2013, we are the most chilled out bunch in the Paddock and we are having a ball!" With all the leading championship competitors in action at Pembrey this weekend including Morgan, Gibson, Kalinecki, Biagi and Stewart, as well as Marc Griffin, it is hoped Lance Foster will bring his venerable Mini along to add to the competition.Tags: