Mattias Ekström outlines EKS' involvement in 2019 World RX season.

The Monster Energy RX Cartel Audi S1 Quattro's
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media.

Former World Rallycross Champion Mattias Ekström has outlined his team's involvement in the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship. 

Ekström has confirmed that EKS Sport driver Krisztián Szabó, and the Monster Energy RX Cartel drivers Andreas Bakkerud and Liam Doran will compete in the 2019 World RX championship in three Audi S1 EKSRX Quattro Supercars.

The Swede has also revealed that the Audi S1 EKSRX Quattro Supercars have been updated. "These cars have gotten some updates, rebuilt and is ready to race again and hopefully to continue the success story of the Audi S1," said Ekström.

The Former World Champion announced his departure from the World RX championship at the end of the 2018 season. 

"I told you that it was my last race as a full-time driver in WorldRX and later EKS told you that this is was the end of our WorldRX chapter," said Ekström. 

"Our plan was to sell the cars and support the new owners," he adds. "Until today we have not sold any of the three 2018 spec cars and EKS have decided to rent them out."

EKS Sport driver Krisztián Szabó.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media

EKS will provide support to the three drivers in 2019.

"They want the cars to run as fast as possible and for this, we will supply technical support and use the experience that we have collected over the last years," says Ekström.

"The ambition of the drivers is to become World Champion and this makes me and the EKS team members really motivated to support them in the best possible way. We hope that all three drivers are going to challenge for race wins, podiums and hopefully one of them can become world champion," he adds.

The EKS team will act mainly as technical support, logistics and personal support for the drivers and their partners. 

Ekström has made it clear that "when it comes to budgets, partners, partner service, PR, social media and event service, the drivers are responsible for their own part."

The three Audi S1 EKSRX Supercars will use EKS and KYB developed dampers this season.

"The dampers have reached a high-performance level which was confirmed during the last race 2018 as both EKS cars were using the dampers that entire race weekend," said Ekström.