Despite a challenging weekend Tristan Ovenden got his 2026 Rallycross season underway with a podium finish.
Lydden Hill played host to the opening round over the easter weekend, and it certainly wasn’t without issues for the Canterbury racer.
Ovenden having made the late decision to switch to the ex-Tanner Faust VW Polo Supercar. So late in fact that the first time he drove his new car in anger was in practice on Sunday! Recording the fastest overall time in practice in the process. So, heading into round 1 things were looking extremely good.
The ever-growing team had also decided to expand the team planning on running Ovenden’s old DS3 Supercar for Swift Sport supremo Matt Cake. Add to that the addition of James Black and his Mygale cross car.
The Goody Demolition backed driver was sitting in a comfortable 4th place after the qualifying heats giving him a great grid place for the final right behind pole. However, due to a fuelling issue Ovenden was forced to nurse the car home in a disappointing 6th place
The team then set to fix the issue overnight in readiness for the next round on Monday, however it was soon evident that the issue was a deeper one and fixing it overnight wasn’t going to be possible. So, the decision was made to revert to the Citroen DS3 super car form Monday and round 2.
Monday and round 2 got underway with The Witham supported driver back in the familiar DS3 Supercar. The team had already made some improvements to the car over the winter, and this was evident. At the intermediate stage he was again in fourth place and again lined up behind pole for the coveted final. After a hectic four-and-a-half-minute final he crossed the line in third place claiming his first podium finish of the 2026 season!
Speaking after a frantic weekend, Ovenden said: “It was a manic lead up to the weekend, with the last-minute deal on the Polo, and then hiring out the DS3, and a running second Crosscar. But it was all looking good until Will had an engine problem, which pretty much ruined his weekend. We were disappointed with that.
“The Polo, however, was going well for my first time in it. I thought we were making quick progress with my driving and the set up and all was looking set for a top three in the final until we had a fuel pressure issue, which created a misfire, so we dopped down the order. It was a real shame.
“Unfortunately, it turned out to be a problem with the tank that we couldn’t fix overnight, so it was back in the DS3 for Monday. Going back made me realise how good the Polo is! We had a made some alterations from last season in the DS3 and they proved to be good.
“So, to get third felt justified and I’m always so happy to be on the podium at Lydden.
“A very well done to James in our second Crosscar who went even better and won on Monday, we are very pleased for him. It was a great drive.
“This weekend was special effort from the team, so a massive thank you to them, and to our loyal sponsors. It always very much appreciated.”