THE youngest ever British Rallycross Champion, Dan Rooke, will continue his challenge in the RX2 International Series in Canada next month (Saturday, August 5 to Sunday, August 6), despite initially having expected to miss the event.

Graduating to the FIA World Rallycross Championship support category for 2017, 20-year old Rooke is the only driver to have finished on the podium in each of the opening four rounds of the year in the single-make category, and claimed his maiden victory at the Swedish round earlier this month, in Holjes.

Lying just six points behind points leader Cyril Raymond, who won the first three rounds of the season, the Holsworthy star has re-shuffled existing budget to be able to compete in the first of two long-haul events of 2017, at the famous Trois-Rivieres circuit in Canada, with the aim of continuing his challenge for the coveted RX2 crown. However, the British driver still faces a shortfall in budget if he is to complete the season and fight for the title.

Dan explained: “The championship fight is very much on. We’re still searching for the budget required to finish the year, but we’re not in a position to miss the round in Canada if we are to fight for the championship.

“I don’t know what to expect from the event, obviously it’s another track I have to learn but that hasn’t hindered me too much this year. I’d like to take a strong points haul and try and close the gap to Cyril. I understand the track is quite tight in some places with no run off, so there’s no room for mistakes.”

Rooke has been buoyed by his victory in Sweden recently. The West Country driver’s maiden international rallycross win coming at arguably the most prestigious rallycross circuit on the schedule, against drivers with previous experience of the venue.

Dan said: “Every driver wants to win in Holjes, there’s a reason it’s called ‘The Magic Weekend’ because the atmosphere is electric.

“If I could have chosen a track to have my first international win at, Holjes would be a close second to my home track at Lydden Hill. The feeling now just gets better and better, it’s just sunk in that I have won a round of an international championship and it really keeps my confidence sky high.”

The rising star will travel to North America in August with experienced spotter Dave Bellerby, where he will continue to drive for the Sweden-based Team Faren squad.

Dan added: “I’ve­ never competed outside Europe before. In fact, apart from a one-off event last year (with British RX in Belgium), I hadn’t competed outside of the UK until this year, so I’m looking forward to continuing the learning curve. I’m watching onboards of the track from previous years to learn the general direction of the corners and where it goes. I really feel like the championship could go down to the wire now, I’ve had my taste of victory and I’m hungry for more. I really want to close the gap to the lead as much as possible in Canada.”

If you would like to sponsor Dan is his bid to become the RX2 International Series champion, then visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dan-rooke-rx2

RX2 International Series standings (after round four):

1st: Cyril Raymond (FRA) — 108; 2nd: Dan Rooke (GBR) — 102; 3rd: Guillaume De-Ridder (BEL) — 68; 4th: William Nilsson (SWE) — 63; 5th: Tanner Whitten (USA) — 60; 6th: Glenn Haug (NOR) — 59