EKS Audi Sport aim to strike back in Silverstone

PHOTO CREDIT: Audi Sport 

EKS Audi Sport heads off to Silverstone in England for the next round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, where the most difficult jump of the year awaits the Andreas Bakkerud and Mattias Ekström.

Silverstone is regarded as “Home of British Motor Racing” since 1947 and is one of the world’s most traditional race tracks. A new 0.972 kilometer track comprised of 40 percent tarmac and 60 percent gravel was created for the World Rallycross Championship between the Formula 1 paddock and the famous Hangar Straight. 

“The corners are not so exciting,” says Ekström. “But the artificial jump could decide the outcome of a race. It is the biggest and most difficult of the year.” 

Normally jumps are taken at full throttle in rallycross. In this case the driver must regulate the speed well so as not to jump too high. “It’s extremely difficult to adjust the speed correctly for the jump,” said Ekström.

Mattias Ekström set the fastest time (41.601s) during the official pre-season test at Silverstone. While his teammate Andreas Bakkerud completed the third fastest time in the test (42.059s). 

“I’ve already driven there in a national rallycross race as well and have a good feeling,” said Bakkerud. “After having narrowly missed the podium on several occasions at the recent events it’s high time to spray champagne again. It’s crystal clear that we aim to strike back in Silverstone!”