Combining the thrill of driving at high speed on gravel and tarmac with close racing action and the adrenaline rush of short sprint racing, rallycross is one of the most extreme forms of motorsport for both competitors and spectators. The Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy represents the pinnacle of the sport at national level and the 2026 season gets underway at Lydden Hill this weekend (April 5-6).
The Dover-based circuit is widely regarded as the home of rallycross ever since it held the very first event for this discipline 59 years ago. The compact, undulating track combined with challenging surface changes is perfect for the short, aggressive races that makes the sport so exciting.
The cars
One of the biggest reasons to watch the championship events is the variety of machinery on track, topped by the Supercar class which features four-wheel-drive machines based on everyday cars and generating more than 600bhp. This makes the start one of the most exciting moments in each race as the cars accelerate at breathtaking pace – faster than an F1 car – as the drivers scramble for position into the first, gravel surfaced corner where grip is at a premium.
Competitors compete in short heats and a final, so the action is relentless with drama at every turn.
Rallycross isn’t just about speed; the ‘joker lap’ adds an element of strategy as each driver must take an alternative, longer corner once per race, mixing up the action – timing this just right is key to ultimate success.
Who to watch
The drivers are very much an important part of the sport; this year two-time champion Derek Tohill will be defending his crown against fierce opposition. He switched to a Peugeot 208 WRX Supercar last season, having raced a Ford Fiesta for a decade. Using the former FIA World Rallycross Championship car, nine-time Irish Rallycross Champion and double European Rallycross Champion Tohill was only once outside the top two during the 11-round 2025 campaign, securing the title during the season-finale, which was also held at Lydden Hill.
With four wins to his name across the season, Tohill added the 2025 title to his 2019 crown, and joins the grid for the opening double-header with his eyes on a third title. His team, however, has faced a race against time to be ready for the event following mechanical issues encountered in the recent Irish Rallycross Championship double-header at Mondello Park.
This means that established racers John McCluskey (Honda Civic Coupe) and six-time British Champion Julian Godfrey (Citroën DS3) could be ready to take his place at the top of the podium this weekend. But also keep an eye on reigning Swift Sport Rallycross Champion Matt Cake, who makes his graduation to the Supercar class this weekend at Lydden Hill in a Citroën DS3. Last year he delivered a record-breaking campaign, winning every round on his way to the title. The 26-year-old started his career in Junior Autograss.
Cake replaces race-winner Tristan Ovenden, who switches to a Volkswagen Polo that previously competed in the FIA European Rallycross Championships. Kent driver Ovenden finished third in the standings in 2022 just missing out on the championship podium over the next two seasons. Just like Cake, Overden won the single-make Swift Sport Rallycross Championship – taking the title on two occasions – and was also three-times champion in the Supernational category, racing a V6-engined Renault Clio.
What else is there?
The opening double-header of 5 Nations BRX will also feature a range of supporting classes. These include the Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship, which will crown a new champion in 2026, and the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship, in which former champion Max Weatherly will make his class comeback. Undoubtedly a crowd favourite will be the Super Retro and Retro Rallycross Championships, with Stuart Emery (Volvo 242), circuit owner Pat Doran (Ford Escort) and Vincent Bristow (BMW E36) all in the victory hunt, as will Nigel Davey (Triumph TR7 V8) and former champions Gary Simpson (BMW M3) and Ray Morgan (Ford Escort).
The Motorsport UK Cross Car Championship continues to go from strength-to-strength, with a range of new and returning competitors in the single-seater machines, which are designed to offer the thrills of Rallycross Supercars at a much more accessible cost. The 2026 season began at Blyton Park last month, where Bradley Turner (LifeLive TN11) claimed victory and leads the standings, followed by team-mates James Black (Mygale XC01) and Will Ovenden. Reigning Junior Rallycross Champion Teddie Macpherson (LifeLive TN11) also joins the strong field this year.
Having been trialled at the final round of 2025, the Motorsport UK Cross Car Junior Championship for drivers between 14 and 17 years of age has a full season in 2026 and following the Blyton Park opener, Matt Cake’s younger sister Phoebe (LifeLive TN11) leads siblings Harry Flitney (LifeLive TN5) and Jessica Flitney (LifeLive TN11) in the points.
The packed schedule of intense races draws a big crowd Lydden Hill, creating a fantastic atmosphere trackside. Rallycross events are also fan-friendly and the compact nature of the venue means there is an unrivalled view of almost all of the circuit from most vantage points. And for those unable to attend this weekend, all of the action is being live streamed here.
Find out more
Want to find out more about rallycross including how to compete? Head here for more information
Or if you’d like to start your competitive journey at grassroots level, head here for more information about autocross, which is a great introduction to competing on different surfaces
Looking for more information on the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy? Head here to visit the official website