All to play for as 5 Nations BRX heads to Mondello Park
It’s all to play for as the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy enters its final phase, starting with the penultimate double-header of action at Mondello Park this weekend [October 4-5].
For the second time in 2025, 5 Nations BRX and the Irish Rallycross Championship combine for a Mondello weekend, where for the first time ever, each of the drivers registered for the 5 Nations BRX points is a former event-winner.
Leading the charge within the headline 11-car Supercar field, Irishman Derek Tohill (Peugeot 208) took maximum 5 Nations BRX points twice during the May weekend at Mondello, and will seek another strong run in a bid to close the gap to the series lead.
With championship-leader Patrick O’Donovan forced to miss the event due to clashing FIA Extreme H World Cup commitments, Tohill is likely to close the 17-point margin to the lead, to set the series up for a thrilling finale.
Third in the standings, six-time champion Julian Godfrey (Citroen DS3) has a strong affiliation with the Mondello circuit and indeed took a 5 Nations BRX podium in round three at the Naas venue. He sits just a single point ahead of JGE Team Goody Rallycross team mate Tristan Ovenden (Citroen DS3) in the Drivers’ standings, Ovenden having claimed his maiden Supercar win at Mondello in 2022. Well inside the battle for the overall podium, Irishman John McCluskey (Ford Fiesta) is just four points behind Ovenden, and was on the rostrum in round four at his home circuit.
Outside of title contention, 2007 champion Ollie O’Donovan missed the Mondello event earlier this season due to a clash with the Loheac Legends Festival, but endured a torrid event at Loheac during the 5 Nations BRX event last time out and retired in the opening heat race. He switches to his son Patrick’s Peugeot 208 for the event this weekend, the Team RX Racing squad currently leading the Teams’ standings.
Making a first appearance since the opening weekend of the campaign at Lydden Hill, Volkswagen Polo racer Ian Barrett is back in action for his home rounds, the former rally driver and circuit racer having claimed a maiden outright win at the Lydden Hill fireworks event to conclude his inaugural rallycross season last year.
The Mondello Park circuit will utilise a different layout on each of the two days this weekend. Tickets to attend the event are available here, while all of the action will be broadcast live on the 5 Nations BRX Facebook page and YouTube channel.