The weekend saw a fantastic effort from all at Albatec Racing team at the most recent round of the World Rallycross at Lohaec in France, with the Peugeot 208 RX. It was time to see how the privateer team would fare against the biggest names in not only Rallycross, by the entire Rally world.
Three drivers would compete for Albatec. The first being Philippe Maloigne: This is the first time the Frenchman has competed in a Supercar at Lohéac. He has had great success on two-wheels in the past, taking the French Supercross championship in 1987. In 2014 he moved to the Super 1600 category, and joined the FIA European Rallycross series at the end of last year's season.
Next would be the Norwegian Tommy Rustad: A very experience driver over many disciplines of motor racing; from karting, single-seaters, ice-racing, touring cars and hillclimbing. Competing against Albatec's own Jérôme Grosset-Janin for the FIA European Ralllycross title in 2015, coming out on top and taking the title in the final round.
Finally would be Andy Scott, who has a reputation as one of the best Supercar racers Britain has to offer. The Scot has consistently set the pace at many events across Europe, winning heats at Lydden Hill, Montalegre, Holjës and Lohéac, and outright victories at Knockhill and Croft.
The first Qualifying race saw all three cars being drawn in the same race. Contact with Scott saw Maloigne loose time and end the race fifth. Rustad showed promise but would loose out and end in third. Scott would finish the race in second.
Q2 would see Rustad win his heat, with Scott in the same heat again, making fourth. Maloigne would reach second following a puncture. Q3 saw Rustad coming fourth against the eventual winner Johan Kristoffersson, both Scott and Maloigne would take a win in their respective heats, this was key for pushing both up the order within contention for the semi-finals. The final qualifying round saw all three cars post respectable times but it would be Scott who would narrowly beat Rustad to the 12th place and go through to the semis.
It was now time for Scott to go up against the top contenders in the rallycross world, the likes of Sébastien Loeb, Ken Block and Johan Kristoffersson. Although making a good start, he managed to maintain the very high pace of the top teams, finishing less than 10 seconds overall behind the leader and taking 12th overall. Impressive considering it was over a 6 lap race and they where the only non-WRX team in the finals. Everyone here at EXE-TC would like to congratulate them on their great result, and wishes them every success in the future. And keep it going!!