Lysen Back for Round Two

Unable to start round one of the FIA European Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill earlier this month because his brand new Renault Clio wasn’t ready, Mats Lysen heads to Portugal this weekend ready to make up for lost ground.

However, still experiencing problems with their new car, Mats Lysen Motorsport enter the Montalegre event in their 2012 spec Renault Clio.

“We have a problem with the engine of the new car, and that has slowed everything down a lot. I will be racing the old car this weekend, but hopefully we can finish the new car as quickly as possible.” Said Lysen.

“The problem was that the old car was in the middle of being rebuilt too, so there has been lots of work to get that ready.”

Despite the older of the two Clios being last year’s specification, Lysen is confident that he can score a good result in Portugal.

“I haven’t driven since the last round of the championship last year, and the other guys are up to speed after Lydden Hill, but I know the car very well and I like the track. If we can run at the same pace we did last year we can be with the guys at the front. The goal is to be in the semi-finals then anything can happen. Hopefully if we get a good result we will generate some interest in somebody hiring the car for events later in the year.” Said Lysen, who is hoping to run his older Clio for a pay-driver this season alongside his new car.

Although not present at Lydden Hill, Lysen was not far away. “I was commentating live on the radio in Norway for Lydden. That was good fun and a different experience. I have watched the television coverage and it looks great. The new format seems to work very well but I will know better how it feels to race like that after Portugal.” Said Lysen, who shook-down his car yesterday in Norway before heading to Portugal.

Lysen is not alone in starting his championship campaign at Montalegre. Michael De Keersmaecker also missed round one, sidelined by an injury he picked up at a national event in his native Belgium. Prior to Lydden Hill De Keersmaecker announced that he would be driving the second brand new Peugeot 208 from Albatec Racing, run by Andy Scott.

Also debuting a Peugeot 208 in Portugal is French legend Jean-Luc Pailler, running as part of a two car team with RSB Racing, who already look after Ronny Scheveneels Peugeot 207 with support from Pailler Competition.

[portfolio_slideshow]