Iglesias opens Spanish title defence with Portuguese win

13 March / Volvo Construction Equipment confirms that Klara Andersson and Niclas Gronholm will be retained as its drivers for a third World RX season in 2024. “I’m honoured to be confirmed as an official driver again with CE Dealer Team by Volvo Construction Equipment, and thrilled to be part of a team that aims for excellence in rallycross. With our eyes fixed on the Teams’ championship, we are determined to bring our best to every race and lead the team to victory,” said Andersson.

13 March / Avlsbyn is to host an event in the Rally X series. The north of Sweden venue fills a calender slot previously listed as TBC and will run its event on June 29-30. Alvsbyn is a long established Swedish venue and hosted the FIA European Championship in 1994.

17 March / Spain’s CERX series ventured across the border to Castelo Branco in Portugal to open its 2024 season. Title holder Tino Iglesias (Ford Fiesta) began the defence of the crown in the best way. Iglesias and Roberto Mendez won the semi-finals, Iglesias then making off with victory in the final in which Iban Altuna (Toyota Yaris)and Alba Sanchez (Hyundai i20) were second and third. Diego Martinez (LifeLive TN11) emerged as best of the Cross Car field and was joined on the podium by Marco Matador (Speedcar Wonder) and local racer Joao Pinheiro (Labase SX01). The Junior Championship was opened with a win for Abel Gonzalez (Labase) who finished ahead of Tomas Pregliasco and Escar Fuertes (both Yacacross).

19 March / The 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship is to add a category for FIA Cross Car. There is already a class for Cross Car within the BTRDA Clubmans Championship, and the vehicles are eligible within the Irish Rallycross Championship.
*The opening round of the BTRDA series took place at Blyton Park on 17 March, Richard Rees (Mygale) won the Cross Car final after passing Jack Newman (Speedcar Wonder).

19 March / JC Raceteknik will field a pair of Audi S1s for Mats Ohman and Jens Hvaal in the RallyX series.

21 March / QEV announces three test days before the start of the FIA RX2e Championship. The all-electric cars will be available for testing at Essay in France, Nyirad in Hungary and Montalegre in Portugal in April and May.

Former Belgian Rallycross Champion Chris Lambot died recently, he was 72. Lambot collected three Belgian titles in the 1980s and is particularly well-known for his performances in VW Golfs.

This weekend / Mainland europe’s oldest rallycross, the Eurocircuit in Holland begins it’s 2024 season this weekend.

pics: World RX, Red Bull media pool, BRX, CE Dealer Team, JC Raceteknik, CERX, RX2e