Solberg on top of Montalegre

Incredibly changeable weather conditions greeted the second round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship at Montalegre, Portugal. A sunny, windy morning gave way to snow blizzards early afternoon, followed by more sun and more snow.

Making the best of the conditions, and putting in the sort of display that is expected from a World Rally Champion, Petter Solberg was fastest in both of the first two qualifying heats, taking the first heat victory by more than three and a half seconds.

Solberg can thank his lucky stars though, as he crossed the line at the end of the second heat the left hand rear wheel parted company with his Citroen DS3, bouncing down the track narrowly avoided by the following Timur Timerzyanov. “I’m happy” Said Solberg. “Everything is going much better than it did at Lydden Hill. The wheel was really lucky.” Solbergs team have worked tirelessly throughout the day, constantly adjusting the cars geometry on the paddock road outside their awning.

Liam Doran didn’t have such a good time, missing the first heat with clutch problems. The Monster Energy athlete hit back in heat two, a strong race win setting seventh fastest time.

Peter Hedstrom failed to finish heat two with suspension damage. The Skoda Fabia driver made a move up the inside of Anton Marklund in the first corner; contact damaged the car forcing him to stop.

In contrast to the end of the first day at Lydden Hill, Timmy Hansen hasn’t had such a great day, eleventh fastest twice in the first two heats. “In the first heat we got to the first corner, I hit my braking point and the car just slide straight on.” Said the Citroen DS3 driver. Hansen then got badly held up in heat two, having to pass both Jos Jansen and Jean-Luc Pallier before finishing the race second to Liam Doran.

Making his first start of the year, Michael De Keersmaecker was fourteenth fastest in heat one before visiting the gravel trap on the outside of the first corner in heat two in the slippery conditions, beaching the car.

Also beached in the first corner gravel trap in heat two was Super1600 Renault Twingo driver Timur Shigaboutdinov. The slippery conditions had their part to play, but so did local driver Pedro Ribeiro, who was disqualified for his involvement. Eric Faren had a frustrating first day in Portugal, fifth fastest time in heat one was followed by a strange failure as he warmed his tyres for heat two. The wheel studs on the front left wheel sheering off, leaving the Swedish driver stranded.

Showing that Lydden Hill was no flash in the pan, fastest again in both of the first two heats was Kevin Eriksson. The Swedish rookie will be hoping that day two brings him more luck than it did at Lydden.

Touring car had only one causality. Lydden Hill winner Derek Tohill only just made it to the grid for heat one, a fuel leak as he started the car quickly solved by his mechanics. The problem would arise again during the race, forcing him to stop on track. Heat two didn’t go well either for the Irish driver, setting sixth fastest time in the incredibly slippery conditions as the snow came down.

Heats two and three take place tomorrow morning, with semi-finals and finals tomorrow afternoon.

For full results click here.

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