O’Donovan ‘not done yet’ as he commits to first full season since 2017

O’Donovan debuted the Iriz RX in international competition at Nyirád in Hungary two years ago, and has scored points with the one-of-a-kind car in all three of its Euro RX1 appearances to-date. He subsequently piloted it to the top step of the podium in the British Rallycross Championship curtain-raiser at Lydden Hill over the recent Easter weekend, marking his return to the winners’ circle for the first time since 2018.

The 57-year-old Irishman last contested a full campaign in Euro RX back in 2017, when he reached the rostrum in Barcelona. He will join his son Patrick O’Donovan – whose participation was announced yesterday evening – at Team RX Racing, with both cars operated by Sam Clennell Motorsport.

“I have to admit, I was losing my love for racing at this level a couple of years ago when things were not going so well, but I’ve been in this game a long time and you have to take the rough with the smooth,” he reflected. “Having a strong finish to the British season with the Proton last year, and winning the first round at Lydden Hill last month proved that we have taken steps in the right direction.

“We have worked hard on the Proton to move it forwards, and have already committed as a team to Euro RX to give Patrick the best chance possible of fighting for top results, so it makes sense for me to do the full season too in terms of logistics.

“I’ve recently been doing a lot more rallying than I have for many years, so that has helped me as a driver, and I can’t wait to get stuck into racing on some amazing rallycross circuits in Euro RX. I want to support Patrick in any way I can with sharing data to help him to achieve his goals, but I want the best results for myself as well, so let’s see what happens. I’m not done yet!”

The forthcoming Euro RX1 campaign will get underway at Essay in France on 8-9 June, followed by World Championship-supporting rounds at Höljes in Sweden (6-7 July), Nyirád in Hungary (27-28 July), Mettet in Belgium (17-18 August) and Montalegre in Portugal (7-8 September).