PR: Barrett brings title-winning Kristoffersson Volkswagen to 5 Nations BRX for 2024

Experienced rally driver and circuit racer Ian Barrett will campaign an ex-Johan Kristoffersson Volkswagen Polo in the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy this season.

Barrett will make his rallycross debut in the opening round of the 2024 5 Nations BRX season at Lydden Hill, racing the Polo that six-time World Rallycross Champion Kristoffersson raced to the title in the RallyX Nordic series last year.

Having most recently raced in the opening rounds of the Iberian Porsche Supercup series last year, Barrett also has a long history of rallying in his Irish homeland, driving a range of machinery including Subarus, Mitsubishis, Ford Fiesta WRCs and Darrian T90s. He also has experience of driving Cross Cars in rally sprint events, but has never raced in rallycross.

The recently-acquired Polo is being prepared for the 5 Nations BRX assault in Ireland, having been delivered following a rebuild at Kristoffersson Motorsport’s Arvika workshops in Sweden, Barrett having committed to at least the first three double-headers of the 5 Nations BRX campaign, alongside other events in Europe.

5 Nations BRX runs across 10 rounds in 2024 with events at Lydden Hill, Mondello Park (Ireland) and Pembrey (South Wales). The opening two rounds take place at Lydden Hill on Easter Bank Holiday Weekend (Mar 30 – April 1).

Ian Barrett:

“We got the car from Sweden last week, things have been a bit delayed but it’s been fully rebuilt and I’m excited for Lydden Hill. We’re running the car with my own team and the guys who have been involved with me in rallying, but this is a steep learning curve. We have no time for testing at all, so we’re going straight into it next Saturday and will do the best we can but most importantly, enjoy it! I’ve no expectations, we’ll do the first weekend at Lydden, then go to Mondello and go back to Lydden in July, and see how we are getting on. I have no expectations, there is a lot to learn this year and I’m going in with my eyes wide open. Nils [Andersson] and Tommy [Kristoffersson] from KMS are keen to continue guiding us, so we’ll see where this takes us.”