O’Donovan Snr switches to ex-Baumanis Peugeot to see out season

Since 2022, O’Donovan has made a handful of appearances in Euro RX1 in the unique Proton Iriz RX, ebulliently claiming the car’s first international heat race win in Hungary just under three weeks ago, and reaching the semi-final stage in both rounds of the season so far.

However, having subsequently encountered some technical issues during a test at Montalegre in Portugal, the former British Rallycross Champion and current British RX title contender has made the decision to move over to the Peugeot with which Baumanis triumphed twice on his way to clinching the runner-up spoils in the Euro RX1 standings last year.

The car will run alongside the similar 208 WRX piloted by his son, Patrick O’Donovan, who tops the title table following back-to-back victories at Höljes and Nyirád. Both cars will be prepared by Sam Clennell Motorsport and fielded under the Team RX Racing banner.

O’Donovan Snr has history with the Peugeot brand, having secured the 2007 British Championship crown in a 306 Supercar. Mettet’s Circuit Jules Tacheny also holds happy memories for the 57-year-old, as the scene of his Euro RX debut back in 2015.

“With the events so condensed into a short period at the moment, the issues we had in testing with the Proton meant we had to come up with a ‘Plan B’ to finish the season,” he explained. “The team knows the 208 WRX well, and while Patrick’s car is actually quite different to Jānis’ in some ways, they are very similar in others.

“It will be very interesting for me to drive a top car in Euro RX – I’ve never even sat in Patrick’s car properly. There wasn’t time to test before the weekend, but I can’t wait to find out what this car is like compared to my other recent experiences. Thanks to Jānis for coming to a good arrangement, and to everyone in our team for making such a big effort recently – it is very much appreciated.”