EKS Audi Sport head to Mettet with mixed feelings

PHOTO CREDIT: Audi Sport

The EKS Audi Sport drivers are heading to Mettet (Belgium) with mixed feelings. In 2016, Mattias Ekström won the World RX round, but has also had some unpleasant encounters with the tyre walls in previous events. 

“This is one of those strange, artificial race tracks we drive on from time to time,” says Ekström. “Actually, the track has only turnoffs and this massive downhill jump. The racing line is narrow. It’s difficult to achieve a fast lap time and the Joker Lap is so slippery and slow that you feel like you’re stopping.” Overtaking is difficult in Mettet and this has led to EKS Audi Sport focusing on optimizing the race starts, among other things.

Andreas Bakkerud, currently the World RX runner-up trailing Johan Kristoffersson (PSRX Volkswagen Sweden) by 9 points in the drivers' championship standings, ended his test at Mettet at the beginning of 2018 with a crash. 

“I’ll definitely try to avoid that this weekend,” said Bakkerud. “Mettet has always been my weakest round in the World RX to date. I need to improve there and show the consistency I had in my first World RX events in the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro.” 

“It’s easy to make a mistake there and crash into the tire walls," Bakkerud adds.

EKS Audi Sport are currently second in the FIA World Rallycross team standings with 80 points (16 points behind the championship leaders PSRX Volkswagen Sweden). While, Andreas Bakkerud is second in the drivers' championship and Mattias Ekström 6th overall.

Team Peugeot Total aim to tame the famous twists and turns of Mettet.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Team Peugeot Total has had a promising start to the 2018 FIA World RallyCross campaign, with 2 second places scored by Sébastien Loeb in Spain and Portugal, while team mates Timmy and Kevin Hansen [independent entry] showed plenty of speed. Timmy also collecting a useful points haul. As a result, the team are currently 3rd in the team standings, while Loeb is 4th in the driver rankings, 3 points ahead of Timmy Hansen. 

The circuit Jules Tacheny, located close to Charleroi in Belgium, is one of the most technical tracks that the championship visits all year. The venue is famous for its jump and low-speed, zig-zag corners that require the utmost precision. The lap is 1.149 kilometres long, 61% asphalt and 43% gravel, with the lap record standing at 38.074s from last year. Unlike the previous round in Montalegre, the joker comes at the very end of the lap, which could lead to some exciting race finishes. 

The weather in Belgium at this time of year can be uncertain: but after extreme conditions in both Spain (rain) and Portugal (snow), the Peugeot team and drivers are prepared for almost anything! After Montalegre, the cars returned to base in Versailles, to be re-prepared before heading to Belgium.

Sébastien Loeb
“Mettet is a track I like: it’s a nice place and actually not too far from my home town in Alsace, so usually I have a few friends coming to watch and there are plenty of fans from France coming too. The atmosphere is really friendly and it’s always a pleasure to be there: when I first came to Mettet I was on the podium, so happy memories for me. The circuit is quite a varied mix with some technical turns and also some complicated corners on gravel, as well as a sharp hairpin. The start here is never easy, so the first corner can be a bit of an adventure, but it’s always good fun for a driver.”

Timmy Hansen
“I hope we can continue the great pace we’ve had so far in Belgium; there’s no reason why not, as last year I could have won, but I had a puncture at the jump on the final lap. That jump, and the corner after it, is one of the most critical sections of the whole track: you have to jump and make sure that you land exactly on your braking point, which is really difficult to judge. But it’s all part of the job if you’re a rallycross driver. There’s also a super-fast chicane on the lap where you have to get so close to the tyre barrier: it’s one of the places where you have to be super-brave! So I would definitely describe Mettet as a ‘confidence track’ but luckily the PEUGEOT 208 WRX gives me the confidence that you need.”

Kevin Hansen [Independent Peugeot entry]
“From the very start of the year I’ve felt great with the car, but I just need to turn that good feeling into a final result.  Mettet is very different from the last round in Portugal: it’s actually a bit more similar to Barcelona in feel. Last year it was very bumpy, and the 208 WRX was really fast. I’ve been doing my homework and I feel well-prepared to take every opportunity that comes. Things haven’t always gone my way so far this year, but in motorsport everything always comes around, so I’m feeling happy and confident as we head to Belgium.”

Source: Peugeot Sport

Petter Solberg: “I want the win, but I won’t risk everything for it."

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden's team owner and driver, Petter Solberg returns to Mettet, Belgium where he had a problem in the lead of the World RX final last year, when he might well have won. His team-mate Kristoffersson was able to pick up the spoils and took the race win for the team. 

“I’ve never won this race in Belgium, but I came close last year, I should have had this one last year. But this sport comes down to the fine details and these are what we are working so hard on right now," said Solberg. "We are working harder than ever on our strategy, we’re looking at everything we can do to bring a small advantage. But at the same time, we’re early in the season and this isn’t the time to be taking big risks.

Petter is currently in third place in the FIA World RallyCross championship standings, just a point shy of second place, Andreas Bakkerud [EKSRX]. Solberg has only managed to pick-up a podium in the first two rounds of the championship.

“The first two races have been quite strange. We were really quick, probably the fastest, at round one, but we had no luck. Then in Portugal last time we struggled a little bit, but we made the podium!," says Solberg. "You know me, you know how much I want to win, more than anything. I’m really happy to see Johan on the top step, but I think I’m ready for a go up there as well now!"

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden's strategists are poring over race data and plotting another course to be competitive and win in Belgium. 

“I want the win, but I won’t risk everything for it. We have to be sensible, add the points all the time. I’m definitely not going to get stressed about this," said Solberg. "I know we had the speed in Barcelona and then we got some bad luck in Portugal – like when they put the gravel out in the qualifying heats. We got some really slippery conditions and could only make 10th fastest in that heat."

“That’s the difference in World RX today – you have something small, some small detail that doesn’t work for you and you are 10th. That’s why we focus on detail," Solberg concludes.

Johan Kristoffersson: "We don’t get distracted by anybody, any other team or anything."

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross 

A return to the place where the winning started for PSRX Volkswagen Sweden and Johan Kristoffersson 12 months ago. The team heads to Mettet at the top of the drivers’ and teams’ championship after back-to-back wins.

Despite the early 2018 success, the start of the season has been a little bit topsy-turvy at times. PSRX Volkswagen Sweden are now looking to steady the ship starting with this week’s World RX of Belgium.

“It’s a nice track. It’s not my favourite, I wouldn’t say that, but it’s a good place to race and it’s definitely somewhere I have good memories – this is where we took our first win with the new team last year," said Krisoffersson. "It’s the kind of place where you really have to be on your toes, you have to be ready to adapt to the conditions changing really quickly. But this is a very different track to Montalegre in Portugal – and hopefully we’ll have some very different weather as well.

Johan Kristoffersson has now taken back-to-back race wins with 10 rounds remaining. He inherited the race win at the season opener in Barcelona after Mattias Ekstrom's disqualification and drove to victory in the snow of Montalegre, but it won't be that easy for the defending champion with competition closer than ever.

“One of the things we learned in Portugal – and from Barcelona as well – was the importance of not focusing on anything except for what we’re doing. We don’t get distracted by anybody, any other team or anything," says Kristoffersson. "All the time now we are just looking at Petter and me and the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team; what can we do? How can we be better?"

“As well as that, it’s so important to stay calm, stick to the plan and work the strategy. The trouble is, the last round was such a freak event with the crazy weather and conditions. But that showed how this team doesn’t panic, we pull together, we make the results and we do this by maximizing our own performance," Kristoffersson concluded. 

Cooper Tires to Title Sponsor the World RX of Great Britain

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross

The FIA World Rallycross Championship has today announced that the World RX of Great Britain will be headline sponsored by Cooper Tires. The first international rallycross event to be held at Silverstone Circuit is officially named Cooper Tires World RX of Great Britain.

The agreement is an extension of World RX’s long-standing relationship with Cooper Tires, which sees it supply the entire series in its capacity as Official Tyre Supplier and Associated Partner.

"To increase visibility of our brand at the championship's only UK round, we have finalised a new agreement as title sponsor of the World RX of Great Britain," said McRoberts, Marketing Communications Manager, Cooper Tires. "Being held at Silverstone for the first time, this much-anticipated event promises to deliver an unforgettable Speedmachine festival for all rallycross fans from home and abroad."

The Cooper Tires World RX of Great Britain will be a highlight of the 2018 World RX season as part of the Speedmachine festival, which combines World Championship motorsport with live music acts, Esports, iconic car displays and opportunities for event-goers to get behind the wheel of a performance car and drive the world-famous Silverstone Formula 1 circuit. 

“Cooper Tires has been integral to the growth and success of World RX so we are delighted to announce it as title sponsor for the landmark World RX of Great Britain at Silverstone," said Bellamy, World RX Managing Director. "Boasting a huge entry list as part of the Speedmachine festival, Britain’s round of the World Championship will be the perfect stage to showcase the Cooper Tires brand.”

Petter Solberg: "We have to be even stronger."

PHOTO CREDIT: PSRX Volkswagen Sweden

Petter Solberg overcame a dramatic semi-final on Sunday claiming third place after stalling his PSRX Volkswagen Polo R on the line. "I drove like hell through that race, I was sure I wouldn’t make the top three, but I did," said Solberg.

"This whole weekend has been really tough right from the very first heat," said Solberg. In Q1, Petter found himself in tenth place overall but made an improvement in Q2, which saw him improve to fourth place. 

The changing weather conditions proved to be very challenging for many of the World RX drivers. With four seasons in one day (Sun, clouds, rain and snow). "We have had just about every type of condition. You know, I am in rallying for a lot of years and I know how to drive in the snow, on the dry gravel, wet mud and asphalt – I did that for a long time in the World Rally Championship," says Solberg. "But until I came to Montalegre, until I came to World RX of Portugal, I never drove in all of those conditions in one day. It was unbelievable to be racing in a snow storm. But quite cool as well…"

Solberg went on to finish third in the final (+3.938 seconds behind his team-mate.) 
"What we have to focus on now is the small details with our car. Yes, it’s fantastic to lead the championships and to take two cars on the podium – congratulations, of course to my team-mate Johan for his second win of the season – but we have to be ready for the other cars coming," said Solberg. "We saw here with Peugeot, [Sébastien] Loeb is strong and those guys are only going to get stronger."

Solberg concluded saying: "We have to be even stronger."

Written By: Junaid Samodien

Kristoffersson claims victory for PSRX Volkswagen Sweden in the Portuguese snow.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden's Johan Kristoffersson took his second win in a dominant fashion, in the World RX final on Sunday, while Petter Solberg overcame a dramatic semi-final to clinch third in what turned out to be a snowy final.

All the teams were expecting changeable weather conditions during the second round of the World RX season, but nothing prepared the paddock for the snow storm that hit on Sunday. 

"From the second row of the grid in the semi-finals, my plan was to follow the leader on the main lap, but after [Andreas] Bakkerud slid wide I grabbed the chance and was very happy to take the win," said Kristoffersson. "But then the snow really started to fall and I was wondering what could happen in the final – in the end, it was perfect for us. The car was great and I couldn’t be happier. Sure, the battle at the top is getting closer, so to take two wins from two starts – and to have Petter on the podium as well – is the perfect start to the season for me and for the whole PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team."

Petter Solberg didn't have a straight forward Sunday but pulled off an incredible comeback drive in the semi-final to overcome stalling on the line. "What a fantastic race that final was. It was unbelievable and a really nice way for me to forget about stalling on the line in the semi-final," said Solberg. "I drove like hell through that race, I was sure I wouldn’t make the top three, but I did. What we have done here is race smart and take the points. That’s so important."

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden now lead the FIA World RX teams championship standings by 16 points (a total of 96 points), while Johan Kristoffersson leads the drivers' standings by 9 points to his nearest rival Andreas Bakkerud with team-mate Petter Solberg in third (10 points down on the championship leader.)

Written By: Junaid Samodien
Source: PSRX Volkswagen Sweden

Loeb secures another World RX podium in a reliable and competitive Peugeot 208 RX.

Photo Credit: Peugeot Sport

Team Peugeot Total driver Sébastien Loeb may be used to snow from events like Rally Sweden – but he certainly wasn’t expecting it in rallyross! Nonetheless, Loeb secured a 2nd consecutive runner-up spot in round 2 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend in Montalegre, Portugal.

Sébastien Loeb got off to a flying start in Portugal by winning Q1 and finishing 2nd in Q2, making him the points leader overnight on Saturday. “I had a really good feeling with the 208 WRX from the beginning," said Loeb. "In the dry, the car was easy to handle, and I felt very confident: I could concentrate on the lap time rather than what I was doing with the car itself."

Loeb felt a bit less confident in the wet and slippery conditions of Q3 and Q4 on Sunday morning, he comfortably went through to the semi-final. The Frenchman finished 2nd in the semi, which earned him a place in the final that was held just as the snow started to fall hard. "It was a good fight all weekend and I really enjoyed it; it’s not normal to see snow! The battle is so close between everyone, but we are right up there too," says Loeb. "You have to do everything perfectly if you want to have a good weekend in rallycross. It's not always easy but very satisfying when it happens.” Loeb finished 2nd overall in the final: the same result that he achieved in Barcelona, to boost his position in the championship rankings.

Timmy Hansen was the only driver to beat Loeb in a race on Saturday, winning Q2 in front of his illustrious team mate to lie 2nd overnight in the overall points rankings. He too easily qualified for the semi-finals, and the news got even better for the Swede on Sunday afternoon when he won his semi-final, again in front of Loeb. "In the final, I was going well but Kristoffersson was faster, and I made a mistake when I was trying to keep up. The weather changed for the final and we didn’t have time to adapt the car to the slippery conditions: we still had the set up from the dry run before," said Hansen. "So, I think that was part of it, but it was also my mistake. I went too fast into the corner, hit the rail and spun round. That’s racing sometimes, mistakes can happen."

Kevin Hansen also had a great start in Portugal and seemingly got better and better as conditions became more challenging: finishing 5th and 9th in the wet Q3 and Q4 sessions on Sunday morning. These strong results promoted him to the semi-final but disaster struck when he was caught out by a rival who braked early and went into the back of him. "I had a really good start again in the semi-final and I was just behind Ekstrom: I was sure he was going to go for the joker," said Kevin Hansen. "Then he braked, and I didn’t have time to stop: I hit him in the rear and broke the intercooler." To save the engine from terminal damage, he chose to switch it off, and his promising weekend was sadly over.

"We've had two events now and I’ve been through to the semi-final on each occasion. I feel very good with the car and I trust it: especially when you have to go sideways like you do here," Kevin Hansen added. "Without the incident in the semi, I think we could have been in the final, so that’s great."

After reliability issues in round 1 at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona, the Peugeot Total drivers have more confidence in the 208 RX supercar after showing good pace.

Written By: Junaid Samodien

Grönholm RX achieve targets in tricky Portugal conditions

Photo Credit: GRX Taneco

GRX Taneco aimed to get both cars through to the semi-finals, and they achieved this target with Niclas Grönholm and Timur Timerzyanov. The two drivers made a smooth start to the first day with Grönholm eighth fastest and Timerzyanov finishing in ninth place in Q1. 

Grönholm progressed up the rankings to seventh place in Q2, whereas Timerzyanov could do no better than 13th. “We didn’t make any mistakes and the car was running well," said Grönholm. "We need to do some more work on the settings as it’s a new car, but we’re getting there.”

On Sunday morning the conditions became tricky when the rain turned to snow, but the conditions didn’t prevent Grönholm from making it through to the first semi-final with eighth place and 14th fastest times. Timerzyanov, in search of points, qualified for the second semi-final by clocking the 12th fastest time in Q3, before following up with an encouraging seventh place. 

“I went all out in Q4,” Timerzyanov said. “I got a good start and led my race. Conditions were quite changeable and it wasn’t easy to find grip. We missed out on the top 10 in qualifying by just one point, but getting both cars into the semi-finals is a positive result.”

Starting from the back row in each semi-final, the two drivers had a chance to secure a few more points which later would prove vital for the team consolidating FOURTH place in the Teams' Championship standings. 

“I got off to a good start, but Kevin Hansen closed the door on me,” Grönholm said. “I had to take the main line. I was fourth at that point and then put in my joker lap. We were up with the pace, but the strategy didn’t work out in our favour.”

“We had a sensor issue,” Timerzyanov added. “I was stuck on the start line for several seconds. The car is in great shape but there’s still some work to do for the next round in Belgium.” 

The GRX TANECO Team will now head to Belgium. The Mettet Circuit will host the third round of the 2018 season from Friday 11 May. 

Source: GRX Taneco

A roller coaster ride for EKS Audi Sport in the Portugal snow

Photo Credit: Audi Sport

A weekend of mixed weather conditions at round two of the FIA World Rallycross Championship proved to be roller coaster ride for EKS Audi Sport. After positions one and three in the qualifying rounds the expectations of Andreas Bakkerud and Mattias Ekström had been higher than positions four and seven.

Andreas Bakkerud in fifth position after day one at Montalegre, he made a really strong showing on Sunday. On his favorite track in the mountains of Northern Portugal, the Norwegian won Q3 and Q4, so securing overall victory in qualifying ahead of Sébastien Loeb in a Peugeot. His teammate, Mattias Ekström, completed the strong qualifying performance of the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro cars in position three.

Then the first setback in the semi-finals: After having been bumped by Peugeot driver Kevin Hansen in turn one, Ekström, in fourth position, missed the final – for the first time since Canada in early August 2017. Bakkerud lost a position due to the tussle as well but, in second place, made it into the final.

But then Bakkerud, in his 51st run in the World Rallycross Championship, experienced a premiere: snow! “I’ve never driven a supercar on snow before,” said the Norwegian. “The conditions were extremely difficult. In the end, I only finished fourth. But the joy about my first qualifying victory in the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro outweighs any disappointment.” With his strong performance the Audi driver advanced to second place in the World Championship.

“Today again showed how close victory and defeat are together in rallycross,” said Ekström, who was half a second short of making it into the final. “Following the qualifying heats, things looked promising but then, after turn one of our semi-finals, really bad. Due to the impact from behind I simply lost too much time even though I tried everything afterwards. The end was disappointing. But we again showed that we have a fast car.”

Source: Audi Sport
Edit: Junaid Samodien