Full House For Albatec At Lydden BRX

Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Tuesday 31 March 2015; Albatec Racing will field two Peugeot 208RX Supercars and two RX150s in the second round of the 2015 MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group at Lydden Hill on Easter Monday. Rally driver Murray Coulthard, who makes his rallycross debut aboard one of the team’s Range Buggies, will join the permanent driver line-up of Andy Scott, Mark Flaherty and Marc Scott.

While the event signals the return of the Dumfries team’s association with the Kent track, it marks a new departure for the nephew of former F1 driver and BBC co-commentator, David Coulthard. Murray took time out of his Scottish Tarmac Rally Championship class-winning campaign last year to test the buggy with Albatec at Knockhill, and has since been a regular guest of the team, including at last month’s opening round at Croft.

The Easter weekend round also sees Mark Flaherty making his Albatec debut at the wheel of his 600bhp Supercar, after missing the opening round due to clashing commitments. With first round victory going to his team-mate Andy, the Reading racer will be determined to kick-start his season with a win and prevent the wily Scot from stamping his authority on the series.

The Albatec Team Principal will not be keen to give up the chance however, after a dominant performance including two heats wins and a pole spot for the final, netted the outright win. The Dumfries racer is no stranger to Lydden Hill or the British championship, finishing runner-up in 2011, and now heads to his second competitive outing of the year in confident mood.

Double and reigning RX150 champion Marc didn’t get his season off to the best start at Croft, after a gearbox issue prevented him from showing his true pace. However with his new-for-2015 buggy now ready to race, the Lochmaben racer is looking to hold on to his crown for a third successive season by starting with victory this weekend.

Tickets for round two of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group on Monday 6 April are available from just £15 from http://lyddenhillevents.co.uk/index.php/april/21-mon-6th-british-rallycross or by calling +44 (0) 1304 830 557. The day’s race action gets underway with practice from 9am, with the heats and finals immediately following.

Andy Scott, Team Principal and driver Albatec Racing: “I’m really looking forward to Lydden Hill, it’s definitely one of my favourite tracks, and I’ve had some great results there in the past. The crowd is always very enthusiastic and really gets behind you and this weekend I’ve got quite a following coming from home so the atmosphere should be great. After winning the opening round, I’m feeling pretty good going into round two, so hopefully I can deliver a win for them.

“It will be a very busy weekend with both Supercars and both buggies, but I’m confident we have a strong team around us, who will give their all to make it a success. I’m particularly delighted to welcome Mark and Murray into the team this weekend, and also our EuroRX drivers Jérôme (Grosset-Janin) and James (Grint), who will be cheering us all on.”

Mark Flaherty, driver Albatec Racing: “I can’t wait to get back into a proper championship battle after more than 20 years away, and measure myself against what looks to be an incredibly strong entry this season. It looks like being a very exciting weekend with some very quick drivers out there. Realistically it’ll be my first time in the car, and indeed my first time at Lydden for nearly 25 years, but if I can get into the final then I’ll be happy.”

Marc Scott, driver Albatec Racing: “I have much higher hopes for Lydden than I had at Croft, where the buggy really let me down. We have the new, more powerful one this weekend though, so I’m hopeful of collecting a podium to kick-start my season.

“I know the Lydden track well, it’s always been good to me, and I’ve had some good results there in the past, which I hope will go in my favour. We have a good entry for Monday, with some old faces returning, and a few new ones, so it should be a cracking weekend.”

Murray Coulthard, driver Albatec Racing: “I’m really looking forward to racing the buggy, it certainly looks good fun. I’ve been involved with Andy and the team ever since they entered rallycross, so when he offered me the chance to drive at Lydden, well I couldn’t really say no. These boys have years of experience in buggies, but I’ll be looking to beat Marc!

“I’m sure the temptation will be there to switch to rallycross and of course I’d jump at the chance to drive a Supercar. David went to Norway for the WorldRX round at Hell and thoroughly enjoyed it, and of course he took part in the Race of Champions, so I’m sure if Andy offered him a drive he’d have a go too.”

---

Albatec Lines-Up James Grint for EuroRX

Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Tuesday 24 March 2015; Albatec Racing has confirmed British rally and rallycross driver James Grint alongside Frenchman Jérôme Grosset-Janin in its 2015 FIA European Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy line-up. The 24 year-old who tested with the team in Dreux, alongside former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve last year, will drive the second two-litre 16v Peugeot 208RX Supercar in the five round championship.

James, the younger brother of Rupert Grint (Ronald Weasley of Harry Potter fame), successfully completed several runs at the French track last January, before embarking on a season in the British Rallycross Championship RX150 class. A regular contender in buggies, the Hertfordshire driver will commence testing within the next few weeks, prior to the first round of EuroRX at Mettet, Belgium on May 15-17.

James’ first introduction to rallying was testing a Mitsubishi Evo 5 during which he immediately showed his potential, before beginning a rally career that netted first overall in the Essex Charity Stages in his debut season. In 2010 he clinched the BTRDA Group A title before moving into the British Rally Championship in 2012 piloting a Citroen DS3 R3 rally car to consistently top times, whilst gaining experience in the tremendously competitive championship.

In 2013, James moved into rallycross with an impressive debut at the end-of-season British Rallycross Grand Prix at Croft, where he powered his RX150 to a maiden outright victory. During 2014, James was invited to join Villeneuve and Team Principal Andy Scott at Dreux, where he immediately impressed the team, and sparked his ambition to drive competitively one of the team’s 600bhp Supercars.

With a two-car team already confirmed in the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group, alongside the two-car entry into EuroRX, Albatec now looks forward to announcing its plans for the FIA World Rallycross Championship within the next few weeks.

Andy Scott, Team Principal, Albatec Racing :

“I am extremely pleased to have James joining us at Albatec, he did a great job in Dreux last year on only his first time in the car and adapted very quickly to the demands of a 600bhp RX Supercar. I think it was only a matter of time before he became part of the Albatec team and between him and Jérôme I think we have the perfect combination of drivers.

“It’s great to have both British and European line-ups completed, and we’ve even more news to follow concerning WorldRX and indeed the RX150 series in the coming weeks.”

James Grint, driver, Albatec Racing :

“I am very excited to be part of the Albatec Racing team this year. I’m looking forward to taking on the FIA European Rallycross Championship, and I can’t think of a better team than Albatec to take me into Europe for this new and exciting phase of my career.

“This is going to be a massive year for me stepping up in to Supercars but this is a great opportunity for me too. I was lucky enough to test with the team in France last year and now I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the Albatec Peugeot 208. I’m really looking forward to taking on this challenge.”

---

World RX team Albatec Racing joins forces with Stephane Orre and Atte Varsta

Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Friday 20 March 2015; Dumfries-based World RX team Albatec Racing has announced its new management structure. Last year the team ran two Peugeot 208RX Supercars in the inaugural FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, driven by former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and team owner Andy Scott. Since then team has made big improvements and plans for success in the coming years by partnering with Stephane Orre’s M-Technologies, and recognised driver manager and branding expert Atte Varsta.

“Last year was a challenging year for us. After the season finished we got back to the drawing board and took everything we’d learnt from the past and identified those areas that need to be improved. Therefore I’m delighted to have Stephane and Atte on-board to help strengthen our capabilities. While Stephane’s M-technologies is responsible on the technical side, Atte will take care of branding and the commercial side but also help me on a daily basis to run the team.” said Team Principal Andy Scott.

M-Technologies owner Stephane Orre is delighted about the partnership. “I’m happy to work with Andy and Albatec Racing. Myself and M-Technologies have a long experience of building winning RX cars and working on different factory teams in rallycross and rally,” explained Stephane.

Atte is a well-known driver manager and international branding expert. “When this opportunity emerged I didn’t hesitate to accept it. It’s great to build something new and innovative for World RX. We live in economically challenging times but with passion, persistence and clear vision, I’m confident we can build an excellent future together,” said Atte, who will also retain his driver management duties at V&V Sport Management.

Albatec Racing announced last week French RX Champion Jerome Grosset-Janin’s EuroRX Championship campaign, and the second driver will be announced very shortly. The team will also participate in WorldRX events and run two Peugeot 208RX Supercars in the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group, with drivers Andy Scott and Mark Flaherty.

---

Albatec Confirms Jérôme Grosset-Janin for FIA European RX

Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Wednesday 11 March 2015; Albatec Racing has today announced that Jérôme Grosset-Janin will spearhead the team’s assault on the 2015 FIA European Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy. The 30 year-old Frenchman will drive one of the team’s two-litre 16v Peugeot 208 Supercars in all five rounds of the championship, together with his home event in Lohéac.

The team undertook a test with Jérôme in France on Tuesday, allowing the 2013 French Rallycross Champion the first opportunity to get acclimatised to the new generation 600bhp Supercar of Team Principal Andy Scott. He will continue a test programme over the coming months ahead of the opening round of the series at Mettet, Begium on May 15-17.

Jerôme began his motorsport career in ice racing in 2003 and contested the 2005 Andros Trophy where he secured 14 podiums from 14 races. The following year, aged 22, he switched to rallying in the French Asphalt Rally Championship, finishing third to become the youngest driver to reach the podium. In 2009, Jérôme moved back to rallycross, finishing third in the French Rallycross Championship in 2010 and 2011.

In 2012 he finished runner-up and in 2013 was crowned French Rallycross Champion. Last season he piloted a four year-old Clio in the FIA European Rallycross Championship, and immediately showed his potential against the latest generation Supercars.

With support from the European market leader in metal chimney flues and stacks Cheminées Poujoulat, Jérôme and the Dumfries team are well placed to capitalise on Albatec’s experience on the British, European and World stages, and challenge for the FIA European Rallycross Championship title.

Albatec is currently talking to several other top line drivers interested in joining the team in the second Peugeot 208.

Andy Scott, Team Principal and driver Albatec Racing :

“I’m delighted to welcome Jérôme to the team. Over the past two seasons he’s proved to be an extremely quick and capable driver, even without the benefit of a new generation Supercar. I believe Albatec will give him the platform to secure race wins and hopefully challenge for the European title.

“Although it was only his first test in the car yesterday, it all went very well, he settled in quickly and I’m sure he’ll be up at the front from the start.”

Jérôme Grosset-Janin, driver Albatec Racing :

“I am very happy to have been hired by Andy Scott to drive the Albatec Racing Peugeot 208 Supercar. I had the opportunity to drive the car for the first time today, and it was a day to discover the car and my new environment.

“I have a very good feeling driving it, the car has a good balance and everything went well! I’m really pleased that MTechnologies is also involved in this new adventure.

“I am sure that with Albatec Racing, MTechnologies and myself, we have everything in place to have a strong season! I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel for the next test.”