'Knowing what to expect will give me cooler nerves in Riga' - Anton Marklund.

PHOTO CREDIT: Wiebke Langebeck/GC Kompetition 

Anton Marklund returns to the scene of his first GC Kompetition test in 2018.

The Swede claimed his best result of the season in Loheac, France (last time out) having crossed the finish line in second place. Marklund would have recorded his first victory in World RX in Hell, Norway earlier this year, but he was deprived of victory due to a post-race technical infringement.  

The 27-year old Swede returns to Riga, Latvia, a circuit that he is more familiar with having tested the 2018 specification GCK Renault Megane R.S. RX last year. 

"My first taste of the Megane ever was at Riga after the event. I have actually driven that track with the Megane, so that is the first time that I will actually know what to expect and know what the car will be like when I roll out for the first free practice session," he said. "Knowing what to expect will give me cooler nerves."

Marklund is the highest-ranked GC Kompetition driver in the 2019 World RX drivers' standings. 

GC Kompetition has shown a good turn of speed since the Canadian round with both drivers in the top 5. The French round was no different with Marklund and Rokas Baciuska [GCK Academy driver] claiming a fourth-place finish in a Renault Megane R.S. RX. 

"I think the Megane is starting to show great pace on all kinds of tracks. We have said before that on quick tracks they [Renault Megane] are a good car and a good track for the Megane with its long wheelbase, but I think that we can start to say that the Megane is performing well at tighter tracks," the Swede said. "So, I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do in the last two events."

TEXT - Junaid Samodien