HOLSWORTHY’S Dan Rooke has been crowned the youngest ever British Rallycross champion at Pembrey in South Wales.

The 19-year-old finished second at the seventh round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship secure his sixth podium of the season at Pembrey in South Wales.

In an incredible first year in the headline Supercar category, in only his second season in rallycross, Rooke scored enough points at Pembrey to secure the title, even if he fails to score a single point in the season finale next month.

Rooke’s main title rival, five-time British RX Champion, Julian Godfrey, finished sixth, while the event was won by Irish driver Ollie O’Donovan, who finished 0.006 seconds ahead of Rooke as the pair crossed the finish line.

Despite a challenging qualifying period ahead of the Pembrey race, Rooke was just delighted with his incredible achievements.

Dan said: “We had a difficult day at Pembrey and I started to think the championship was going to go to the final round.

“We had some small setup issues in Q1 and Q2, but the team did a great job to sort them for Q3 and I set the fastest time. “We took the joker on the first lap of the final and I had to push really, really hard to pass other cars and catch up to Ollie. We very nearly won the race, but to win the championship is just an amazing feeling.”

At just 19-years old, Rooke beats the next youngest champion by almost four years. Michael Shield won the title in 1989 age 23, proving how phenomenal Dan has raced over the course of the season.

Dan added: “The year had definitely exceeded expectations. Before the start of the season we were thinking it might be good to get on the podium by the end of the year. But to win events, and then the championship is just incredible. It couldn’t have gone any better. It really hasn’t sunk in yet either, I don’t think it will for a while. I’ve got so many people to thank for this year, Pat Doran and LD Motorsports, Outlaw Tools, Morris Lubricants, Direct Plastics, AT Motor Repairs and the whole team; Mum, Dad, Nigel, Paul, the two Brads, Gary and more. This wouldn’t have been possible without everyone that has helped me.”

Despite having sealed the title with a minimal budget compared to many of his rivals, Dan will race in the final weekend of the season at Croft and will challenge for the prestigious MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix.

Dan concluded: “We’ll go to Croft looking to finish on a high and I’d love to win again of course. If we could do well in the Grand Prix, that would be amazing. Hopefully this success will help us going forward because this is such an amazing sport to be part of.”

The final round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship and MSA British Rallycross Grand Prix take place over the weekend of October 22-23 at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.

MSA British RX Round Seven, Pembrey: Result

1. O O’Donovan (Ford Focus); 2. D Rooke (Citroen DS3); 3. D Bellerby (Ford Fiesta); 4. S Harris (Citroen DS3); 5. S Hill (Mitsubishi Evo); 6. J Godfrey (Ford Fiesta)

MSA British Rallycross Championship Standings after round 7/8

1. D Rooke 194; 2. J Godfrey 160; 3. D Bellerby 152; 4. O O’Donovan 147; 5. S Harris 125; 6. K Procter 118