May 2015
Albatec Wins In Belgium To Lead British And Euro RX Championships
Circuit Jules Tacheny, Mettet (Belgium) – Sunday 16 May 2015; Albatec Racing took victory in the opening round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy (Euro RX) at the Circuit Jules Tacheny, Mettet today.
Frenchman Jérôme Grosset-Janin starting from the front row, powered his two-litre 16v Peugeot 208 RX to a solid victory, to take the lead in the points tables. The result marks a milestone for the Dumfries team, which now leads both Euro RX and British RX, following Andy Scott’s two wins and second place in the opening three rounds.
Former French champion Jérôme, on his debut competition with the team, had been on the pace all weekend, and set himself up with pole position for his semi final, which he comfortably won from the lights. Earning a front row start for the six-lap Final, the former rally man didn’t have an easy run, suffering a heavy hit at the start, which caused damage to his Poujoulat-backed car. Despite that, Jerome drove a perfect and controlled race to score an emotional victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
On the back of a strong performance in his debut Supercar race at Pembrey last weekend, Briton James Grint again impressed with his performance aboard the second Albatec Peugeot 208. After a solid day yesterday, the Hertfordshire driver suffered a puncture in his opening heat this morning, and despite another gutsy drive in the second, he finished just outside the crucial top 12 qualifiers.
Both Jérôme and James will return to race action in the second round of Euro RX, at the Estering, Germany over the weekend of 19-21 June, while the team heads straight to Lydden Hill, Kent for next weekend’s round four of World RX, the Motorsport News World RX of Great Britain, where David Binks returns to the team alongside Team Principal Andy.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal:
“Fantastic! We’ve invested a lot of time and hard work in rallycross over many years and to win our first European championship race as a team is an unbelievable feeling and goes part way to paying us back all the hard work that the team has done to reach what I hope will be the first of many wins. I’ve got to shake myself a bit for it to sink in that we’re now leading both the British and European championships, it really is a dream come true.
“Jérôme has been really quick all weekend, but it’s not been without issues. We’ve had some incidents, we’ve had damage to repair, but it’s testament to the way everyone has worked together to overcome those problems that we’ve been able to deliver a car for Jerome to win the Final. James too has had a great weekend, he’s kept his nose clean, he probably would have reach the semis apart from the puncture he suffered in heat two, and I think it’s a great start to what I hope will be a long career for James.”
Jérôme Grosset-Janin, Albatec Racing driver #74:
“The final was crazy. I had a really good start I felt, and then was hit very hard from behind. The car has been good all weekend, we’ve had good pace all day, and I’m very happy for the team. They gave me a lot of confidence and all the work we did over the winter months with their technical team has given me the best start to the season.
“Now for the team to be leading both the British and European Championships is a good indication of all the hard work they have done during the winter months and the start of the season, so I look forward to continuing that during the year.”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver #27:
“I think we’ve got some positive things to take away from the weekend, the heats didn’t go quite to plan, but the overall times weren’t too bad. It’s all been a learning curve but I think we’re going in the right direction.
“It’s a great result for Albatec to be leading the British and European championships I think it’s amazing, I’m definitely in the right place, with all the right people behind me to push it forward. My set-up is developing, and I’m sure that there’s more to come, I’m really happy to be a part of it.”
Albatec Peugeot 208 RX Shows Strong Pace On 2015 European Trail
Circuit Jules Tacheny, Mettet (Belgium) – Saturday 15 May 2015; Albatec Racing lies inside the crucial top 12 qualifiers for the third round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, at the Circuit Jules Tacheny, Mettet tomorrow. Former French Rallycross Champion Jérôme Grosset-Janin, at the wheel of one of the team’s two-litre 16v Peugeot 208 Supercars, is placed 11th overall in the overnight standings, and second of the drivers registered for the opening Euro RX round.
The Frenchman was seventh fastest in open practice and took a convincing race win in his opening heat, however rain fall over the course of the eight races, meant the overall race times were slower, dropping him to 16th. A strong drive in the second race allowed him to claw back vital time and places, finishing the day just outside the top ten on his first competitive outing for six months, and his first with the Dumfries outfit.
Making his European debut, British driver James Grint impressed during the dry warm-up around the 1.1km track near Charleroi, and overcame the tricky conditions in his opening race to finish fourth, but in the deteriorating conditions finished 28th overall. The former rally man, who performed well on his Supercar debut with the team at Pembrey last weekend, had his first taste of wet rallycross conditions today, and is placed 29th of the 37 strong entry, ahead of two final qualifying heats tomorrow.
The Ladbrokes World RX of Belgium resumes with warm-up at 09.00am, before the final qualifying heats get underway at 10.30. The Euro RX semi-finals, in which the fastest 12 from all four heats, start at 13.40, with the first three from each semi final progressing to the Finals at 15.00.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal:
“I’m very happy with both our drivers this weekend; Jérôme has done an absolutely stellar job, his 40.345 in timed practice was fantastic. He was unlucky in the first heats as it started to rain and the heats therefore got slower and slower, but he still put in a very strong drive. To finish second of the Euro RX runners and be placed 11th overall in the overnight standings is a great achievement and I’m very happy with his performance.
“James also has shown again great maturity today and kept himself out of trouble. He had two steady drives and it’s only his second ever Supercar event and the first time in these conditions. He improves all the time, and I hope tomorrow it will be dry and there will be more to come from both James and Jérôme.”
Jérôme Grosset-Janin, Albatec Racing driver #74:
“I feel very good in the car and the performance is definitely there as in free practice we were seventh fastest which is pretty good for the first laps in competition. There were just the weather changes and a few small things, but generally I’m pretty happy with the first day and 11th overall.
“The car is very quick, which is the most important, and I fit very well in it. I’m also feeling confident with the car, I can do what I like with it, although of course it’s very hard to enjoy these conditions as I don’t yet know the car fully, but that will come.”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver #27:
“I think it’s been a decent start really, I made a few mistakes which cost me a bit of time in the heats, but all in all it’s been a decent run. It’s only my second ever Supercar race and the first time in the wet, and for me it’s all about learning; I think there’s a lot more to come.
“I think in dry conditions I should be able to push more, it’s a very steep learning curve, but we’re moving in the right direction. You never know what to expect in the wet until you’re in those conditions and now I have a better idea. The times are coming down, and I think the pace will come. The car is great, the team is great, and I’m loving every second.”
Albatec Poised For Euro RX Debut In Belgium
Dumfries, Scotland (GB) – Wednesday 13 May 2015; Less than a week after its Peugeot 208RX Supercars starred in round three of British RX at Pembrey, Wales, Albatec Racing heads to Belgium, to the Circuit Jules Tacheny, Mettet for the FIA Ladbrokes World RX of Belgium. Round three of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, the event is also the opening round of Euro RX, which pitches 20 of the best rallycross racers in the world head-to-head aiming for victory.
Over the last three competitive outings in the hands of Team Principal Andy Scott, the 600bhp two-litre, 16v motor has surged to two outright wins and a second place, but this weekend’s season-opening Euro RX will mark the team’s first European event of 2015. Heading the line-up is Jérôme Grosset-Janin, a former French champion, with an already proven track record in rallycross. The Frenchman successfully tested his Poujoulat-backed car recently and heads to his debut race with the team boosted by the experience and the team’s results in Britain.
For the team’s newest driver James Grint, the weekend comes straight off the back of a superb debut Supercar race that saw the Hertfordshire driver quickly in amongst the established drivers at Pembrey, with a racy performance in front of his home fans. Third fastest in practice, and third quickest overall after his first heat, a forced excursion in the second, and a gripping duel with Andy in the third, earnt him his first Final, in which he finished a very creditable fourth.
With most pressure on his more experienced team-mate, James heads to Belgium with less to prove, but with a confidence that belies his lack of Supercar track time. He showed in Wales that he can mix it at the front and is not shy in making a move on the rallycross regulars. His partnership with the rapid Frenchman offers Albatec Racing a shot at the Euro RX title as it embarks on only its third year in competition.
As for the circuit, Mettet hosted its first ever rallycross event last year, to great applause from teams and fans alike, and for 2015 benefits from a longer gravel section spanning nearly 40%. The 1.1km track will suit the Peugeots and both drivers, both having rally experience under their belt, while the team benefits from the knowledge gained during its WorldRX outing there in 2014.
The weekend kicks off with open practice at 11.00am on Saturday 16 May, with the opening two heats starting from 13.30. Warm-up at 09.00 on Sunday morning starts track proceedings with the final two heats from 10.30. The Euro RX semi-finals, in which the fastest 12 from all the heats, get underway at 13.40, with the fastest three from both semi finals progressing to the Finals from 15.00.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal:
“I’m pretty excited about racing in Belgium. We didn’t have the best of results there last year, with considerable damage to both cars across the weekend, but with a great start to our British RX campaign I’m confident that the Albatec Peugeots are very strong and competitive, with more still to come.
“Both Jérôme and James have proved very competent and quick drivers; Jérôme we know from his previous rallycross experience has everything it needs to be a serious championship contender, while James’ driving in Pembrey was outstanding, and he’s certainly going to be one to watch going forwards.”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver #27:
“We had a great opening race in Supercars with a strong performance at Pembrey last weekend, including a good introduction to what I can expect against the best in the world. I go into Belgium with no pressure though, the pressure is on Jérôme with his greater experience, however I am a competitive driver and I want to win. I think I’ve proved I have the speed, now it’s all down to gaining track time and experience of racing against the rest of the Euro RX regulars.
“The car was fantastic in testing and at Pembrey, and I improved every session, so we’re certainly going in the right direction. I know it’s going to be tough, the competition is fierce, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got to gain a strong result, with a place in the semi finals very much my aim.”
Jérôme Grosset-Janin, Albatec Racing driver #74:
“I am excited to start this new challenge with Albatec Racing over a competition week-end. I have already had a few days with the team, at BritishRX and during the test days, and I feel very happy within the team. We have a very good organisation, with good values and team members that match well with my spirit.
“The Albatec Peugeot 208 feels very good. I have felt a lot of new things and I know that the car is very efficient! Now we have to see what it gives against the best drivers in the world but I am already sure that the package is good. The car has a good balance, and every time we change the set-up it reacts, so it is very comfortable for me. I am racing driver because I like to drive, I like challenges, I like competition and of course I like to win… Three of those are already on the way!”
Second At Pembrey Strengthens Albatec’s BRX Title Bid
Pembrey, South Wales (GB)- Sunday 10 May 2015; Albatec Racing extended its advantage at the top of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group, with second place in round three at Pembrey, South Wales on Sunday. BritishRX Series leader Andy Scott, winner of the opening two rounds at Croft and Lydden Hill, looked set for a third consecutive victory aboard his Albatec Peugeot 208 Supercar, but after leading much of the six lap final, lost the lead on his joker lap to eventual winner and reigning champion Julian Godfrey.
The Supercar Final proved dramatic for Albatec’s latest signing James Grint too, the Hertfordshire racer making his debut in Wales ahead of his long-awaited EuroRX outing in the season-opener at Mettet, Belgium next weekend. A cracking series of three heats throughout the day saw the former rally man qualify seventh, lining up immediately behind Kevin Procter. At the lights Procter didn’t get the best getaway, leaving James nowhere to go as he launched his 600bhp 208RX off the line. Riding up onto two wheels and into the side of Procter’s stricken car, James was lucky to suffer minimal damage, and recovered to finish a very creditable fourth.
Amongst a quality entry at the 2.3km track near LLanelli, the Dumfries team immediately signalled its intentions with a quick pace in practice that saw James third fastest and Andy fifth. The first of the three qualifying heats saw the pair go head-to-head; Andy starting from row three, and James lining up at the front. A strong drive from James saw him take second across the line, with Andy suffering the effects of poor visibility in fifth, to place them third and sixth overall respectively.
Heat two saw the team-mates in separate races and delivered the first outright win of the day for former vice-champion Andy, but for James, a tap from another car pushed him into a costly spin, relegating him to ninth overall. The third and final heat pitched the duo together again and provided one of the most thrilling heats of the day. Lining up third, James immediately took the joker, rejoining in fourth while Andy led a three-car train. A racy performance by James allowed him to reel in the first three, who had all yet to take their slower lap, with Andy leaving his to the very last lap. With James closing rapidly, it was down to the championship leader to show the rookie the way, his experience allowing him to hold on to the win, just ahead of James to record an Albatec 1-2.
The RX150 Final also proved dramatic for Marc Scott who so nearly took his second successive victory after a day that netted two dominant heat wins, and second place to set up a pole start for the all-important Final. The double and reigning champion provided a masterclass in buggy racing, including an awesome start in his opening heat to leap from fifth to first into turn one to take a lights to flag victory. Beaten off the line in heat two, he trailed winner Chrissy Palmer, before redressing the order in the third and final heat.
In the six-lap final, a great start allowed him to lead into turn one, and for three laps he looked set for the win, until a spin at the hairpin allowed Palmer through. A stirring recovery over the closing laps saw him claw back the deficit, with just a second separating them at the flag.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing driver and Team Principal:
“The Final was always going to be a tall order because Julian was very quick in the third heat, but there was always the chance that if I took a good start, which I did. If I’d taken my joker a lap before I could possibly have won, but it’s great for the championship. Only Julian has taken any points off me, and I have to be happy with two wins and a second from three rounds. The first heat was a disaster, starting from the third row, coming onto the gravel section I couldn’t see anything for dust, so I pulled to one side for safety, but for the other two I had a good grid position.
“James has been absolutely fantastic today, he displayed great maturity and speed and I think it’s been great grounding in preparing him for his European debut in Mettet this weekend. While Marc, like me, led for most of his final, it just wasn’t meant to be for him either, it just shows how competitive the championship is, which is good.”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver:
“It’s been an amazing day, the car is incredibly quick and the team did a great job, so it’s given me confidence ahead of this weekend. In the final I made a good start, I saw Kevin get away but then I just had nowhere to go and the next minute I’m up on two wheels. Luckily there wasn’t too much damage and I was able to keep going.”
Marc Scott, Albatec Racing driver:
“I can’t really complain, I made a mistake and spun just coming onto the gravel at the hairpin and that cost me the win, but it’s been a good day otherwise, some good heats, it’s just so competitive this season. I managed to recover and make up some time and there’s still a long way to go in the series.”
Albatec’s Andy Scott And David Binks Confirmed For WorldRX At Lydden
Dumfries, Scotland (GB) – Wednesday 6 May 2015; Albatec Racing has confirmed it’s first WorldRX appearance of the season, at Britain’s round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy at Lydden Hill, Kent. British rallycross ace David Binks will join Team Principal Andy Scott aboard the team’s 600bhp two-litre, 16v Peugeot 208RXs, at the spiritual home of rallycross over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend May 23-24.
The event marks a return to Supercar action for Newcastle-based David, who made his WorldRX debut at the Lohéac round last year. The former GRC and BRX racer was immediately on the pace there and narrowly missed a semi final slot after a fire brought his bid to a premature end.
While for British RX championship leader Andy, the event marks his first WorldRX race since his appearance in Argentina last year, which culminated in his sixth semi final outing. This season the Dumfries racer has notched up consecutive British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group wins at Croft and Lydden Hill, with a third BRX round scheduled for this Sunday at Pembrey.
Andy Scott, Team Principal, Albatec Racing driver:
“I’m delighted to be returning to WorldRX, particularly at Lydden Hill, a track on which I know well and have had some success in the past. The championship is tougher than ever this season, so it will certainly not be an easy weekend, however with the work we’ve done on the 208RX, I believe we can be competitive.
“I’m equally pleased to have David returning to race with us at Lydden Hill. There’s no doubt he’s a quick driver, with loads of rallycross experience and although he hasn’t had much seat time, I’m confident he’ll be able to put on a good show for the fans.”
David Binks, Albatec Racing driver:
“It’s great to be getting back behind the wheel again in the WorldRX with Albatec, we ran last year in France and had a few little issues with driver and car! But after being out of the sport for two years it was great to be back. With the updates on the Albatec Racing 208RX for 2015, I am excited to be climbing back on board to see how it goes at a track I cut my teeth on throughout my early years of Rallycross.
“I am not looking for anything crazy, results wise, everyone knows to be fast and competitive in this sport you need a lot of seat time and that’s something I have missed out on over the past few years, but a strong result and a good show for my British fans is what I look to achieve.
“Make sure everyone comes by and says hello at the Albatec complex, it will be great to say hello!”
Albatec Racing Secures Rock Oil Support For RX Campaign
Dumfries, Scotland (GB) – Monday 4 May 2015; Albatec Racing has secured support from British lubricants giant Rock Oil for its 2015 campaigns in the FIA European Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, and MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group.
Rock Oil’s World Championship winning performances, leading to blending and manufacturing lubricants for some of the world’s top motorcycle, car and engine manufacturers will complement Albatec’s bid for title glory on both the British and European stage with its pair of 600bhp two litre 16v Peugeot 208 Supercars.
Based in Warrington and with sales offices and distribution outlets throughout the UK, and importers in over 50 countries worldwide; including Australia, Chile, Germany, Malaysia, Sierra Leone & USA, Rock Oil produces in excess of 20,000,000 litres per annum. This technical expertise is backed up by the numerous World and British Championships won by Rock Oils long list of former and current racing pilots. In 2014 alone they worked with over 10 British and European champions.
While Albatec is a relatively new name on the rallycross scene, Rock Oil has been producing world-class lubrication for over 85 years, and though famous for involvement in motor sport, its major activities are in the agricultural, automotive, commercial, industrial, marine, motorcycle and leisure markets. Extensive research and development work ensures that existing ranges are improved and new products are designed to meet emerging standards and approvals. Rock also has a long record of launching innovative products, especially for racing and its top tier racing lubricant Carbon is testament to this technical prowess.
Announced just a week before round three of BritishRX at Pembrey, Rock Oil will adorn all Albatec Racing’s competition vehicles, including the Peugeot 208RX of championship leader Andy Scott who bids for a third successive BRX win in Wales.
Greg Hewitt, Rock Oil:
“We are delighted to be working with Albatec Racing. Rallycross is a dramatic and exciting motorsport and we are excited to be a working partner for 2015 and hopefully beyond.
“Rock Oil has a long-standing support of racing in all its forms and this new partnership shows our commitment to supporting top class motorsport. Our lubricants have long enjoyed favour within the motorsport arena and our partnership with Albatec will help push the Rock brand to an even greater audience.”
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal & Driver:
“We at Albatec Racing are very pleased to be working with Rock Oil. Their technical department produce the finest quality lubricants, which fit perfectly with our team’s ethos. We believe they will deliver the highest level of product for us, and their support gives us confidence for the future development of the Albatec 208RX as we look to build on its recent success in Britain.
“We are delighted to welcome them into the new market of rallycross and look forward to a successful working partnership for 2015 and beyond.”