The headline contenders in the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy embark on a trip to Loheac in France this weekend to take on some of the best in Europe as part of a massive 35-car Supercar entry [August 29-31].

Not only will be 5 Nations BRX runners face opposition from the best the French Rallycross Championship has to offer, the series renowned for its strength and depth, but the event has also attracted some of the best rallycross drivers on the planet to do battle at one of the most famous circuits in the discipline.

Known for its hugely passionate crowd, the Loheac weekend is a festival of rallycross appreciation, the event kicking off with a parade through the village on Friday afternoon.

Reigning and triple 5 Nations BRX champion Patrick O’Donovan (Peugeot 208) leads the 5 Nations BRX Supercar contenders having won four times from six starts in 2025, the 20-year-old having been twice victorious in double-header events at Lydden Hill and Pembrey.

It was another Peugeot 208 WRX driver, 2021 5 Nations BRX title-winner Derek Tohill who twice took top points in the Mondello Park double-header encounter and it’s Tohill who is O’Donovan’s closest challenger. Second in the standings, the pair locked horns on the opening lap of the final in round six, Tohill losing out and failing to finish the race. The Loheac weekend as 5 Nations BRX returns to France for the first time since 2023, could prove critical in the title race.

Third in the standings, Citroen DS3 campaigner and six-time champion Julian Godfrey climbed into the overall top three with his second podium of the campaign last time out Pembrey, and sits just three points ahead of JGE Team Goody Rallycross team mate Tristan Ovenden (Citroen DS3), who enters round seven seeking his maiden 5 Nations BRX rostrum appearance of the year.

Sandwiched between the Citroen pair is MMS RX Team IRL driver John McCluskey (Ford Fiesta), the Irishman lying fourth in the drivers’ points and third in the Teams’ standings together with Gary Donoghue (Ford Fiesta). The Murray Motorsport squad that runs the pair expands to three cars for the French weekend, as Michael Leonard (Ford Fiesta) returns to 5 Nations BRX action. A winner at Mondello Park, albeit not registered for points, Leonard is one of the quickest drivers around and could cause an upset.

Leonard will also be keen to help his stablemates close the gap to the Teams’ Championship leaders, Team RX Racing, 2007 Champion Ollie O’Donovan (Proton Iriz) once again partnering son Patrick in the team, Ollie twice visiting the podium at the Pembrey weekend, having missed his home event at Mondello Park in May while contesting the Loheac Legends Festival event.

Colin Anson continues his campaign with his event-winning Mitsubishi Mirage at Loheac, while Michael Sellar returns to the 5 Nations BRX fold with his Volkswagen Polo, the former Supernational contender absent from the grid since the season-opener at Lydden Hill on Easter Weekend while new parts have been sourced for his car.

The Loheac event will be broadcast live on the Rallycross France YouTube channel, beginning with Friday afternoon’s parade through the village. Follow the 5 Nations BRX social media channel for schedules, link and updates.

See all news »