Pauwels wins again at Arendonk. Staniszewski dominates Poznan.

12 August / The FIA issues a short statement to say that the World RX event in Germany will go ahead without the RX1e cars of the FIA World Rallycross Championship. “The investigation into the cause of the fire during World RX of United Kingdom at Lydden Hill on 21 July is ongoing. Whilst a significant amount of data and information has been gathered and analysed, the FIA has decided – on the grounds of safety and in order for the investigation to continue without delay – to postpone the RX1e round at Germany’s Estering, originally scheduled for 19-20 August. World RX of Germany will still go ahead with the concluding rounds of RX2e, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3, where all three titles will be decided.”

13 August / Poznan hosted the Polish, Czech and CEZ Championships as the organising Automobilklub Wielkopolski continued the celebrations of its centenary. Zbyszek Staniszewski (Fiesta) appeared to have little trouble in taking the victory ahead of regular rival Ales Fucik (VW Polo). Staniszewski was fastest in all four heats and almost nine-seconds ahead in the final. Lukas Tyskiewicz (Fiesta) was best of the Supercar ‘light’ runners once again and inn his usual third place overall. The three SuperTouringCar divisions provided the usual bulk of entry and diverse racing. Hungarian Tibor Vamosi (BMW E36) won the +2000 final despite having been fourth at the intermediate and second in SF2 which was won by second qualifier “Halk”. Top qualifier Daniel Krzysiak (E46) won SF1 but lost out in the main event. Fastest in three heats, Roman Castoral was top qualifier among the -2000 runners and then won the final in class that had five runners. Willem Sagner was top qualifier, winner of SF1 and the final to be best of the nine 1600cc starters. Super1600 mustered just three starters of which Libor Tejes (Audi A1) was the best. There were, by contrast, nine starters in National 1600 where Marek Honzik (Renault Twingo) took the event win ahead of Jan Dvorak and Matej Svelch, both also in Twingos. A small field from the Czech Republic’s Historic series was also present, Lubos Slaba (Honda CRX) dominating the 1600cc class while Michal Vychnal (Polo) dropped one heat on his way to victory in the over 1600cc section.

13 August / Kobe Pauwels claimed his second win in seven days as he led home the Cross Car field when Belgian RX visited Arendonk for the fifth event of its season. The Cross Car classes of the RACB championship had also been on duty at Mettet’s World RX of Benelux and Mygale racer Pauwels arrived at the top of his game and bagged another win. Tom Heindrichs (LifeLive) placed second ahead of Eric Borguet. Among the Junior Cross Car field the battle was fought between Mettet winner Lucas Cartelle and Jordan Genten. The former was ahead at the start but Genten won out thanks to an early joker lap some fast laps in which he gained ground on the race leader. Ferre Selleslagh was best of the Mini Buggy class and Mark van Eyken was again top of Superbuggy. Nick Vanalken (Polo) won the Super1600 final in which Davy van den Branden (Citroen DS3) grabbed a last gasp second place after passing Yves Teelen (Peugeot). Martijn Vanhove (BMW 1M) led from the start and then made an early joker lap before hunting down Steve Volders (Volvo C30) and retaking the lead to win. Kristof Bex (Volvo S40) bagged another Supernational win, his task eased by the first lap exit of Bart Bel’s BMW E30. Glenn Cools and Yorrick Maeyninckx (Volvos) were second and third.

11 August / The NBF has set a new date for the postponed third round of its Rallycross NM series. Now set form the final of the Norwegian Rallycross Championship, NMK Solor will host at the Finnskogbanen on 7-8 October. Damage to the track caused by extreme weather caused the postponement.
Link to last week

This weekend / A busy one. World RX goes to the Estering at Buxtehude. The RX1e cars have not yet been given a green light to return so RX2e, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 take the limelight and with all three titles to be settled in this final event it’s sure to be close. Nitrocross moves on to Utah, perhaps its spiritual home for the second of its 2023-2024 events. Finland’s Rallicross SM will appear at Nokia, the British Championship goes to Wales and Pembrey Circuit while Greinbach welcomes the Austrian championship and the Dutch and German championships meet at the Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard.

pics: World RX, Red Bull media pool, Belgian RX, Rallycross.cz, Runes Motorsportfoto,