16-year-old rallycross star George Megennis impressed the paddock on his rallycross debut, taking a race win and a sixth overall (finish) in the RallyX Nordic Superfinalen in his first-ever rallycross event.
PHOTO CREDIT: Peter Eriksson/#YELLOWSQUAD
Megennis was an immediate threat from the off-seat in the highly competitive RallyX Nordic championship, winning his Qualifying 1 race (heat) in the challenging wet conditions despite having never driven in the rain.
In the second qualifying session, the American drew level at the top of the qualifying order with newly crowned champion Tommi Hallmann, before going on to secure fifth overall in qualifying.
Showing off his racecraft, he then put in a masterful defensive to hold off Linus Östlund for second place in his semi-final. Knowing that he required a top-three finish to progress to the final, George blocked Östlund’s path.
While reaching the Supercar Lites final on debut was a great achievement, unfortunately, there was no fairytale ending, as Megennis found himself squeezed between two rivals at the start of the final, which briefly sent him airborne and damaged the front of his car. He went on to finish fifth in the race but was given a penalty for the first-lap contact.
The front end damage of Megennis' car in the Supercar Lites final.
PHOTO CREDIT: Peter Eriksson/#YELLOWSQUAD
"I am so stoked after my first taste of Supercar Lites action – this weekend was incredible, and the results were so much better than I thought they would be," Megennis said. "RallyX Nordic is super competitive and if you look at the history of this Lites category, some of the best drivers in the world championship started out here. So to be fighting for race wins and qualifying for the final at my first attempt is unbelievable."
"Now I know what my pace is like against the best drivers in Europe, I’m going back home to the US feeling really confident about the season ahead in NRX NEXT – especially as I’m guessing some of the guys I raced this weekend might show up over there! I know that my level is already strong, but also that I’ve got so much more learning to do and can be even faster with more experience."
"I’m so grateful for all the work the #YellowSquad guys are putting in – Eric Färén and the crew gave me an amazing car all weekend, and all the years of knowledge Kevin Hansen has helped me improve so quickly. I wouldn’t have been able to pull off such a mega weekend without their help," he concludes. "I can’t wait for Nitro Rallycross to start and get back in this car!"
World RX race winner and #YellowSquad team principal, Kevin Hansen firmly believes that after a strong rallycross debut, George can compete in NRX NEXT with full confidence.
"The amount you learn from completing your first race weekend in rallycross is huge," Kevin Hansen said. "Now George can go into the Nitro season full of confidence, with better knowledge of the car and how it behaves, and knowing he has the speed to compete at the front. We can’t wait to get started in the US next month – George is a super cool, fast and professional guy with a bright future in this sport."
