Seven days in rallycross, September 11

The FIA World Rallycross Championship went to France for round eight where Loheac hosted the event, and a crowd of more than 70,000 fans. Petter Solberg emerged as the clear winner of the event that had been dominated by Timmy Hansen, the young Swede fastest in three heats and leader at the intermediate classification. Solberg had looked to be playing safe in the first day, but had actually been working hard and a major setup change overnight transformed his Citroen DS3. Having won his semi-final, the series leader went ahead again in the final, leading home Reinis Nitiss and Hansen. Ken Block (below) was fourth at the end of the event, but still kicking himself for missing the Joker Lap in his first heat. Steven Bossard returned to the driving seat after a year out and reminded everyone of his class by taking the Super1600 victory while David Nordgaard claimed his first TouringCar win.

Monster Energy World RX Team made a statement to make clear that Liam Doran would not compete at round eight of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, at Loheac. Doran, who also missed the Canadian World X event, was replaced in the team by Henning Solberg. The statement said: “Doran will fullfil his role as team manager, and mentor to the drivers, whilst he awaits clearance to race again after his actions at the FIA World Rallycross Championship round at Lydden Hill are being investigated. These do not relate to racing, but concern his father trapped inside a burning car during the Group B showcase demonstration. Out of respect for the due processes currently underway, no further information can be given at this time. ‘I am clearly disappointed to be unable to race this round of the FIA World Championship,” said Doran. “Lohéac is a phenomenal track and I’m excited to work with Davy and Henning and support them both this weekend. For Davy it will be a special occasion with home support and Henning will no doubt be quick from the get-go. My role is going to be to direct all my energy towards those guys succeeding.’“

The final round of the Swedish championship took place at Solvalla in Stockholm and resulted in Sebastien Eriksson winning both the final event and the Supercar Scandinavia title in his OMSE Ford Fiesta. Daniel Holten finished second on the day in another OMSE Fiesta with Robion Larsson third in his Audi A1. The place gave Larsson second on the title race, just ahead of Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo). The accompanying Lites series was won by Kevin Hansen who played a safe game in the final round which was won by Kevin Eriksson. The two-wheel drive classes have the final round of their Swedish championship this weekend at Strangnas, which can be watched live here.

Former Junior World Rally Champion PG Andersson became the 100th driver to World RX when made a commitment to drive in the German event at Estering in a Hedstroms Motorsport Skoda Fabia. Andersson, who raced with Hedstroms at Holjes two years ago, sees the event as a toe in the water for next year when he would like to race in the championship full time.

Ireland is poised to have a new rallycross track for its 2015 championship season. A new track is being constructed within the Pallas Karting venue at Tynagh near Loughrea in Galway and is scheduled to be used for summer events in 2015. The circuit is 1260m long and will include a joker lap section. Tynagh will join Mondello Park in hosting the Irish championship.

Subaru rally Team USA has announced that it will run a third car in the last three GRC events of the year. The squad’s rally drivers will share the car, Travis Pastrana driving in the Los Angeles double-header event with Rally America champion David Higgins driving in Seattle.

The Norwegian Rallycross Championship also reaches its conclusion this weekend with more than 100 drivers wexpected at Gardemoen to the series finale.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LC_0z0NQZU&feature=youtu.be[/tube]

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