Jeanney dominates in Germany while Solberg’s set for Race of Champions return

Three men left the fifth round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship at the Estering smelling of roses (or more correctly, champagne). Former French champion Davy Jeanney (Peugeot 208) delivered on the promise that he has shown in bursts during his career and dominated the event. Had it not been for a crash in heat four, he may wall have become the first driver to score a World RX perfect run of heats, semi-final and final victory. As it was, the heat four off didn’t matter and Jeanney dominated to win the event. The next man to come out smiling was championship leader Petter Solberg (Citroen DS3), who wasn’t able to challenge Jeanney for much of the weekend but did win a heat and a semi-final and finished second in the final to extend his margin at the top of the championship order. Swede Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208) was again the comeback kid. A number of troubles meant Hansen could manage no more than ninth at the Intermediate Classification, but he made it into the final and again finished on the podium. Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) finished fourth ahead of teammate Tord Linnerud (VW Polo). Andreas Bakkerud was disqualified from the final for unsporting behavior. Tommy Rustad (VW Polo) dominated the second round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship final. Points leader Jerome Grosset-Janin (Peugeot 208) finished second with Frenchman Fabien Pailler (Peugeot 208) third. Ulrik Linnemann (Peugeot 208) won in Super1600 while Fredrik Salsten (Citroen DS3) came out on top in a battle with Magda Andersson (Ford Fiesta) in the TouringCar final to win.

Reigning World RX Champion Petter Solberg will compete in the 2105 Race of Champions held in at the 2012 Olympic Stadium in London, with the aim of defending the Nations Cup title he won at the event last season. Solberg will again pair up with Le Mans master Tom Kristensen, and both will compete in the individual event, joining former F1 driver David Coulthard who has already been announced. “Of course there is a fun side to the Race Of Champions but that’s not why we all go. When I do anything I always want to give 110 percent. So we go to race, push to the max and show the rest who’s boss,” said Solberg. “The big problem is that all the other drivers are as crazy as I am! Nonetheless Tom and I had a good run last year and we’ll do everything to reach the top of the podium again in London.”

Sebastian Eriksson claimed victory in only his third American-based Global Rallycross Championship event, winning the second of two rounds at Daytona International Speedway in his OlsbergsMSE Fiesta against the 12-car field. Tanner Foust won the first of the two rounds, the first win in the series for the Andretti Motorsport VW Beetle. In the first day’s final, Patrik Sandell, Ken Block and Jeff Ward started on the front row of the grid but dropped back after first-lap carnage. Foust took the advantage and won ahead of Austin Dyne (Ford Fiesta) and Eriksson. On the second day, Eriksson led the final from start to finish to win ahead of Ken Block (Ford Fiesta) and Steve Arpin (Ford Fiesta) after Ward was docked a position at the finish for rough driving. OMSE drivers Austin Cindric and Oliver Eriksson took a win apiece in the GRC Lites division.

British rallycross driver Mad Mark prepared for the fourth and fifth rounds of the MSA British Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park this weekend by racing his Citroen Xsara in an autocross event at Causey Park in the North East of England, trying to resolve cooling issues. Second fastest in the first heat in dry conditions, the hotelier struggled in wet conditions later in the day without suitable tyres but was pleased with what he’d learnt. “The car seemed to be running cooler so the day proved useful, but it did take a long time to clean when we got home!” he said.

Norwegian charity Drive for Live has become the official charity partner to the FIA European Rallycross Championship after agreeing terms with championship promoter, IMG. The new partnership will help DFL expand further into Europe where it will continue to help disadvantaged children. A new DFL RX Team will compete at selected Euro RX events, where a number of DFL students will be able to attend, meet the DFL RX drivers, work on rallycross team cars and travel as a member of the team. “Through this partnership, we will get the opportunity to spread our message and team activities to thousands of youths across Europe, and it is with great humility that we now undertake this responsibility. Drive for Life shall give thrill-seeking youths with a desire for risk, a legal and action-filled alternative, and a team to be proud of. With clear team rules, we will together create a healthy and good future for those who want to participate in our black and orange team,” said charity founder and former European Rallycross TouingCar Champion, Knut Ove Borseth, “For me, this is a dream come true – a dream that will give youth a second chance to be seen, and to experience mastery and belonging.”

Swedish World RX driver Johan Kristoffersson continued his dominance of Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia at Mantorp Park on Thursday, where he again won both races; the first from pole and the second after a battle for the lead, Kristoffersson coming out on top on the final lap. The results make it six wins from six starts for the Swede, with eight rounds of the championship remaining.

Twelve Supercars will compete at Mondello Park, as the British Championship returns to the Irish circuit for the first time since 2011. Championship leader Andy Scott will return to the driving seat having run several drivers in recent events in his Albatec Racing team, while the second Albatec car will join Liam Doran at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the hands of James Grint. Joining the British Championship contingent will be a host of Irish drivers, with over 100 entries for the event throughout the classes. On the back of being one of the final four selected drivers in the RX Talent Search held at Lydden Hill before the British round of World RX, SuperNational championship leader Dan Rooke is targeting a good points haul. “We’ve been waiting on parts for a new close ratio gearbox and we have given the engine a freshen up. Hopefully it will help us out of the corners,” said Rooke. “My season has been quite overwhelming so far. We never expected to be running with the top guys straight away, let alone have the early lead in the championship.” Current British Rally Champion Daniel Mckenna will make his rallycross debut in an RX150, while Albatec’s Mark Scott will challenge Chrissy Palmer for the category lead. “I’m looking forward to getting to Mondello Park, it’s a track I like very much, I’ve raced there three times before, and it’s very fast and very enjoyable. I’m a little bit on the back foot points wise, but I’m more determined than ever to win to get me back in the title hunt,” said Scott.

Lavare hosts the fifth round of the French Rallycross Championship, where championship leader Chistophe Wilt (Citroen DS3), Fabien Chanoine (Renault Clio) and Gaetan Serazin will resume their fight for the series lead, Serazin aiming to fight back after rolling out of the last event at Faleyras. British Super1600 racers Michael Boak and Phil Chicken will compete in their first French Championship event in a pair of Citroen C2s.

Sosnova in the Czech Republic hosts the Central European Zone (CEZ) this weekend where World RX regular Max Pucher will race his regular Ford Fiesta Supercar, joined by 2014 World RX permanent Jos Jansen (Ford Focus), Dutchman Ron Snoeck (Seat Leon) and Roman Stepanenko (Citroen C4) as favourites. The event also includes the first round of the Rallycross Challenge Europe.

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