GRX Taneco have high hopes and targets a spot in the final.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

Privateer entry, GRX Taneco are entering the final phase of there World Rallycross Championship apprenticeship campaign.

The two Hyundai i20 Supercars’ debuts main focus was always about development and the Finnish team has comfortably fulfilled its expectations by qualifying for the semi-finals every round. 

However, after qualifying for the final on three occasions, culminating in Niclas Grönholm’s fourth place in Latvia, the team is now looking to build on the gains made over the season.

The Estering track is famed for its fast, narrow straights and tight bends. With 60% asphalt/40% dirt track, anything can happen – its one of the shortest tracks at 925 metres in length. The lap record stands at 35.227 seconds, set by Johan Kristoffersson. 

Timur Timerzyanov already has four European Championship and four World RX races at the Estering track under his belt. His best result came in 2014 when he placed seventh in the World Championship round.

"Germany is one of the traditional Rallycross venues. It is an unusual track with very narrow portions and many tight corners," says Timerzyanov. "The team has worked hard to get the cars ready since we returned from the US. We need to score some points this weekend and I am determined to do my best to achieve this."

Grönholm on the other hand will be competing in the World RX of Germany for the third time. Fifth overall in 2017, he will pull out all the stops in his quest for a place on the podium in the penultimate race of the season. "The Estering is a circuit I both love and dread!," says Grönholm.

The Finn highlights the difficulties of the Estering track. "I have always enjoyed driving here, but when there are five cars on the starting line, the narrowness of the track exacerbates the difficulties and the opportunities to overtake are extremely limited," said Grönholm. "On the other hand, it is a circuit where anything can happen which promises lots of thrills for the drivers and the fans."

"I hope to come through the qualifying rounds unscathed as I have my eye on a podium place and I’ll do my utmost to get there."