July 2016
Albatec To Showcase Peugeot 208 RX Supercars At IGNITION Festival
Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Thursday 28 July 2016; The SECC Glasgow will reverberate to the sound of Albatec Racing’s 600bhp Peugeot 208 RX Supercars at the inaugural IGNITION Festival of Motoring over the weekend of 5-7 August 2016. Reigning FIA European Rallycross Champion Tommy Rustad and twice British Rallycross Vice-Champion Andy Scott will wow the crowds on the specially constructed Street Circuit held on the roads around the SECC and SSE Hydro Arena, marking a first for the Glasgow streets.
Taking time out from its hectic European, French and British Rallycross Championship schedules, the Dumfries team will join the Red Bull Racing Formula One Team whose RB7 car will be driven on Friday by Red Bull Junior Team driver Sergio Sette Camara and on Saturday and Sunday by David Coulthard. Throughout the three days, the two-litre, 16v turbocharged rallycross machines will also participate in the outside drift zone.
Street circuit activity will be split across the three days in sessions which start at 11.30 on Friday and 11.00 on Saturday and Sunday. The team will have a static display where both Andy and Tommy will be available throughout the weekend for autograph signing and photo opportunities, and a meet and greet with the fans.
Organised by the team behind Top Gear Live, IGNITION looks set to be the most exciting, ambitious and complex motor show ever to be staged in Scotland, and organisers promise it will be nothing like a traditional motor show. Jimmy McRae will inaugurate the Street Circuit in Colin McRae’s original Subaru, which features as part of a special Colin McRae Tribute Collection. During Friday evening, Premium Plus and IGNITE Club ticket holders will also enjoy an on-stage chat with motorsport personalities including Mark Webber and double BTCC champion Gordon Shedden.
Away from the action, IGNITION will feature a mouth-watering collection of classic cars, supercars, rally cars, and motorcycles, a test drive facility and a young driver area. The IGNITION Festival opens on Friday 5th July at 10.00-20.00, and on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th from 10.00-18.00. Tickets are now on sale and available, along with full details, from www.ignitionfestival.com
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :
“It’s a great honour to be invited to take part in the inaugural IGNITION Festival at Glasgow’s SECC. It promises to be a superb event and will allow Albatec Racing to showcase its Peugeot 208 RX Supercars in front of what looks set to be a massive and enthusiastic crowd.
“Scotland has long needed a show of this calibre and IGNITION promises to be a tremendous weekend of motorsport activity across demonstrations, displays and entertainment. I am very much looking forward to pitching our rallycross supercars against Formula 1 and rally cars at this most prestigious event on the Scottish calendar.”
Albatec Field Two Peugeot 208 RX Supercars For Kerlabo
Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — 21 July 2016; Albatec Racing will field two Peugeot 208 RX Supercars in round six of the French Rallycross Championship at Kerlabo on 30&31 July. Albatec Team Principal Andy Scott will make his long-awaited French RX debut in the Motis/Rock Oil-backed two-litre, 16v motor alongside championship front-runner Philippe Maloigne.
Philippe goes into the event with a victory already under his belt in his SamShield-backed Peugeot to add to two six place finishes from the first four rounds, including in Pont De Ruan last weekend. His results put him sixth in the overall points standings, and he heads to the next round with a return to the top step of the podium very much on his mind.
Andy joined Albatec’s Euro RX regulars reigning champion Tommy Rustad and vice-champion Jérôme Grosset-Janin in rounds two and three in Norway and Sweden, qualifying for the semi-finals last time out in Holjes. With extensive experience across Global, World, European, and British championships, the twice British runner-up brings a wealth of rallycross experience into the championship and is equally determined to leave France with a podium finish.
Situated in the Côtes d’Armor, Circuit de Kerlabo’s joker lap is only marginally slower than the usual race lap, and one of the longest on the schedule, offering a new challenge for the drivers and teams. The competition in French RX this year has been fiercely contested with four different winners from the opening four rounds, and the calibre of drivers continues to be high, leaving the Albatec pair with a tough job ahead as they bid to get both cars into the Final.
Free practice in Kerlabo gets underway at 09.45-12.15 on Saturday, followed by the first and second qualifying races at 13.30 and 18.30. Sunday continues with warm-up at 08.00, with the third and fourth races at 09.00 and 12.00. The semi-finals and finals take place from 13.45. All times CEST.
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :
“I’m very excited and happy about racing in French RX at Kerlabo, in what promises to be a cracking weekend. I’ve not raced in the French series before and therefore never raced at Kerlabo, but I’ve heard only good things about it. I know from previous years and of course this year with Philippe that the level of competition is extremely high, but I aim to put on a good show in front of the crowds. From a team perspective, it’s great to have two cars challenging for results and as far as those go, our aim will very much be on getting both cars through to the Final.”
Philippe Maloigne, driver Albatec Racing :
“It will be a very interesting weekend with both myself and Andy racing, and I’m sure that will affect the whole dynamics of the team. It’s always valuable having a second driver within a team to compare data, and discuss strategy, but I’m sure we’ll both be out there with the aim of winning. It would be great to have both of us reach the Final, and I’m certain the team will continue to demonstrate its race and championship winning potential. I’m very much focused on taking it as just another race, where I hope my improved pace and performance across the opening rounds will allow me to achieve another strong result.”
Challenging British RX Weekend For Albatec In Belgium
Maasmechelen (Belgium) — 18 July, 2016; Albatec Racing endured a challenging British RX outing in round five of the British Rallycross Championship at Maasmechelen this weekend. Briton James Grint sustained substantial damage to his Peugeot 208 RX Supercar following a hefty crash into the wall, which severely hampered his chances of a place in the Final. There was some consolation for the Dumfries team, with double RX150 champion Marc Scott returning to race action after nine months away and collecting second place in the Final.
The event started well for James with a solid performance in Saturday’s practice underlining his potential aboard the #27 Peugeot 208. In Saturday’s Q1, a coming together between James and Mark Flaherty under braking on lap one saw the Peugeot subsequently stall and drop to 13th overall. In Sunday morning’s Q2, heavy contact into a wall on the inside of turn one, resulted in damage to the Peugeot’s intercooler which caused a subsequent loss of boost pressure.
A sterling effort by the team to repair the damage in time for Q3 saw a rejuvenated Grint quickly back up to speed and finish second in the race, and sixth overall to guarantee a place in the semi-final. In that, despite the best efforts of the former rally man, he was unable to progress further.
In the RX150 class, Marc showed the form that netted the Lochmaben racer back-to-back titles, on his return to race action for the first time since Croft in 2015. A strong pace in practice on Saturday saw him race ahead of 2015 title rival Chrissy Palmer in the time sheets, and in the opening heat he finished fourth.
In heat two, contact at the first corner on lap one resulted in right front suspension damage, but in true Scott style he bounced back to finish second in the third and final qualifying race to set-up another Final showdown with Palmer. After a good start he slotted in behind the eventual winner, and despite a spirited drive, finished second at the flag.
The team returns to British RX competition in round six at Lydden Hill on Bank Holiday Monday 29 August.
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :
“It’s been a very disappointing weekend for James after the promise of a good result following his practice performance. The team worked hard to repair his badly damaged car in time for Q3, in which he drove well to put him in a semi-final position. It was great to have Marc back with us and despite not racing since Croft last year he demonstrated the form that earned him back-to-back titles so I’m happy to leave Belgium with a podium finish.”
James Grint, driver Albatec Racing :
“It was certainly an eventful weekend in Belgium and it felt great to be back behind the wheel again, it’s been far too long! We had two bad heats including a hefty crash into a wall in Q2, which caused substantial damage to the front of the car. After a superb job by the team to repair it, we did well to make it into the semis after finishing sixth overall in Q3. I managed to find some decent pace in the end, but unfortunately wasn’t able to get through to the Final.”
Marc Scott, driver Albatec Racing :
“It was great to be back racing after such a long time away and I’m pretty happy with my pace right from the start, and the results we achieved. In the Final Chrissy was just on it, he’s obviously been racing all year and has that much more track time under his belt, but overall I’m happy I was able to keep with him and not lose too much time at the flag.”
Strong Performance By Maloigne Nets Fourth For Albatec At Pont De Ruan
Pont De Ruan (France) — 17 July 2016; A consistent pace and strong performance by Albatec Racing and Philippe Maloigne in Pont De Ruan this weekend saw the Frenchman easily qualify for his fourth consecutive French RX Final. Piloting the #21 SamShield-backed Peugeot 208 RX Supercar, Philippe added to his points tally by finishing fourth, to keep his championship title aspirations firmly on track.
Philippe quickly demonstrated the pace that saw him victorious at Chateauroux, starting the weekend with the second fastest time in Saturday’s practice session. In the day’s opening qualifying race, he finished sixth overall, and posted the second fastest overall lap to underline his increasing potential as a serious championship contender.
In heat two Philippe took the race win, to top the overall times, but a faster final qualifying race bumped him down to third. A slower qualifying race three on Sunday morning saw him tenth, but his seventh place in the final heat reaffirmed his strong position and allowed him to comfortably take up his position in the semi-finals.
Third place in the seven lap race was just enough to guarantee him a place in the all-important Final, where he finished fourth to maintain his 100% record of points-scoring finishes. Philippe will return to race action in round six of the French Rallycross Championship at Kerlabo which takes place over the weekend of 30&31 July.
Points after five rounds
1.Firmin Cadeddu 157
2.Alexandre Theuil 151
3.Fabien Chanoine 142
4.Andreá Dubourg 130
5.Florent Beduneau 113
6.Philippe Maloigne 111
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :
“It’s been another great weekend for Philippe, where he drove another very impressive race among an incredibly strong and competitive French RX field. These drivers are some of the best racers in France and to be in a position to be setting fast lap times, as well as consistently qualifying for the Final is testament to his increasing confidence and competence behind the wheel.”
Philippe Maloigne, driver Albatec Racing :
“I’m very happy with the outcome from the weekend. We started off well with a good practice session, so I was immediately confident that we could be challenging for race wins. We didn’t manage to get overall heat wins, but the pace is there and was consistent across the weekend.
“To come away with another place in the Final and a fourth place to add to my points is a great result. The team did a great job again, and the car was competitive and reliable throughout. It means we head to the next round in a strong position where I hope to be challenging for outright victory.”
Maloigne And Albatec Back To Race Action In French RX
Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — 14 July 2016; Albatec Racing returns to Pont de Ruan, scene of its maiden French RX victory for round five of the French Rallycross Championship this weekend. Philippe Maloigne at the wheel of the #21 SamShield-backed Peugeot 208 RX Supercar looks to repeat the team’s feat of 2015, and return to the top step of the podium himself following a dominant victory in round two in Chateauroux.
Pont de Ruan was the venue for Canal+ F1 journalist Julien Fébreau’s historic, dominant first French victory for the Dumfries team last year, and one at which Philippe finished on the podium in a Super 1600 outing in 2014. Having missed the last race in Lavaré due to clashing commitments that saw Albatec competing with three cars in the Höljes round of Euro RX, Philippe now heads into his first event since finishing sixth at Chateauroux in June.
In Sweden, Philippe joined the team’s line-up of Tommy Rustad, Jérôme Grosset-Janin and Andy Scott and left with renewed confidence after all three qualified for the Finals, and Rustad claimed a podium finish. The former motocross racer, in only his first season in Supercars, has so far qualified for each of the finals he’s contested. With four races and four different winners to date, the French RX title battle is close at the top and Philippe aims to continue that podium trend this weekend as he bids to move up the overall standings.
Free practice in Pont de Ruan gets underway at 09.45-12.15 on Saturday, followed by the first and second qualifying races at 13.30 and 18.30. Sunday continues with warm-up at 08.00, with the third and fourth races at 09.00 and 12.00. The semi-finals and finals take place from 13.45. All times CEST.
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :
“This weekend sees a welcome return to race action for Philippe, after a very strong performance in the opening three races. Returning to the track on which we secured our first French RX victory last year with Julien makes it a very special place, and I’m confident that Philippe’s improving pace across the first three rounds will ensure he’s once again in a strong position to challenge for another podium this weekend.”
Philippe Maloigne, driver Albatec Racing :
“I’m really excited to be back behind the wheel at Pont de Ruan after missing the last race, and particularly happy to be returning to a track I know and on which I’ve had success previously with a podium in Super 1600. I spent the weekend with the team in Höljes, which was a good experience for me and I was able to spend time with them going through the briefings, data analysis, set-up etc., which will hopefully put me in a strong position this weekend.
“The team proved once again to be consistently competitive and quick across the weekend as they have been in every race in France. After such a strong start to the championship I’ll be looking for at least another podium this weekend in my attempt to move back up the championship standings.”
Albatec Heads To Belgium Set For Supercar And RX150 Battles
Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Tuesday 12 July, 2016; Albatec Racing returns to British RX action at Maasmechelen this weekend (16&17 July) for round five of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with Odyssey Battery. The Dumfries team will for the first time this year, be fielding both a Supercar and RX150 buggy as it bids for double success in Belgium.
Briton James Grint returns to driving duties aboard the #27 Peugeot 208 RX Supercar after a lengthy time away since the last rounds at Pembrey. Keen to put the disappointment in Wales behind him and repeat his podium-finishing position from the Lydden Hill race, the 25 year-old is relishing the challenge of a new track as he bids to move up the overall points standing.
Making a welcome return to the driving seat of the Albatec RX150 is multiple race winner and double champion Marc Scott, marking his first competitive outing of 2016. The Maasmechelen track hasn’t hosted a British RX event since 2013 but has proved a successful hunting ground for the Lochmaben racer, with numerous podium finishes. This weekend the Scot has eyes only for the top step of the podium as he resumes his battle with the un-beaten Chrissy Palmer.
Track action in Maasmechelen gets underway with practice and Q1 at 16.00 on Saturday 16 July. On track action on Sunday July 17 resumes at 08.30 for Q2 and Q3, with the semi-finals and finals set to take place from 14.00. Event and championship details are available from www.rallycrossbrx.com
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :
“I’m delighted to welcome Marc back to race action in Belgium, joining James at the Maasmechelen track. We’ve proved in European and French RX that we are competitive and our Peugeot 208 has been consistently quick. Now we need to convert that speed into results as we bid to return to the podium in British RX. The track marks a new challenge for James, but I’m confident he will be a strong contender from the start.
“In RX150 we had a very successful few seasons and although Marc has been out of competition since the final event last year, I’m confident that his experience both in the buggy and at Maasmechelen will quickly see a return to form that resulted in his twice winning the title.”
James Grint, driver Albatec Racing :
“I’m feeling great and looking forward to returning to race action. The Albatec Peugeot 208 has proven to be seriously quick in the European championship with the new upgraded engine and I can’t wait to use it competitively. It’s been an incredibly long time since I was last racing the Peugeot 208, but I did get the chance to drive it at the Coventry Motofest doing demonstrations on a closed road, where it felt amazing and was great fun! The rest of the time I’ve been waiting impatiently for the next race!
“I don’t know the Maasmechelen track at all, but I have no concerns about it, just eagerness and excitement to get going. I have seen every YouTube video of the track and I have to say it looks great fun. Rounds three and four at Pembrey were tough for me and the team so I’m keen to get a good result this weekend. I want to win of course and I will be on maximum attack.”
Marc Scott, driver Albatec Racing :
“I’m incredibly excited about getting back out there this weekend. I’d planned to take a year out of racing, but I’ve been following the championship all season and miss the competition, so now I’m desperate to get back to racing. I know the track well, although I’ve not won there. I’ve had some good results and podium finishes, so hopefully that will put me in a strong position.
“I appreciate the rest of the regulars will have a few races on me when we start and will be much fresher, but I’m not going out there to make up the numbers or to run around at the back. I’m going out there with only one thing on my mind.”
Consistent form sees all Albatec cars qualify for Magic Weekend in Höljes
Höljes, Värmland (Sweden) — Sunday 3 July 2016; Albatec Racing endured a challenging weekend in difficult conditions in round three of the FIA European Rallycross Championship at Höljes, Sweden this weekend. Changeable weather across the two days resulted in mixed fortunes across the trio of Peugeot 208 RX Supercars, that saw Tommy Rustad, Jérôme Grosset-Janin and Andy Scott all comfortably qualify for the semi-finals, with Rustad reaching the Final and securing third place.
Saturday’s opening qualifying races took place in wet conditions and saw Tommy and Andy take a 1-2 in their race to put them fifth and eighth fastest overall. Jérôme’s overall race time was compromised after contact with Ollie O’Donovan and a slow puncture put the reigning vice-champion 12th overall. In Q2 Jérôme recovered to take race victory and the fourth fastest overall time, and sixth in the intermediate standings. Andy finished third in his race after being held up by a slower car but still finished seventh overall, to lay eighth overnight. Tommy made a great start in his race, but took a trip into the gravel after a close battle with Kevin Hansen, finishing third, eighth fastest overall, and fifth in the intermediate standings.
Brighter weather and a record 44,400 spectators greeted the drivers on Sunday, which saw the first of the final two qualifying races held on a dry track. However, as the Albatec trio headed to the grid for their races, the rain returned, reducing their chances of improving their overall positions. Tommy and Andy were up first in race four. Despite a puncture Tommy took the race win, while Andy suffered damage following contact on the joker lap. The pair took slower overall race times as a result, but still placed seventh and tenth. Jerome finished fifth in his race, and maintained his eighth place overall.
The final qualifying races saw a stirring drive from Andy to post the fourth fastest overall time, with Jérôme maintaining his seventh place, and Tommy 12th after a gearbox issue ended his race early. The combined results allowed all three to qualify for the semi-finals, Jérôme up in race one, Andy and Tommy in race two.
The continuing tricky conditions prevented Jérôme from progressing, after finishing fourth in his race, while in the second, contact between Andy and Tommy saw the former roll his 208 on lap one, while Tommy recovered to finish third and secure the third fastest lap from the two semis. A determined effort across the six lap Final saw the reigning Euro RX champion recover well from his row three start, pushing Tord Linnerud hard for the final podium spot. Taking the position, he held on until the last lap when a slight error allowed Tamas Pal Kiss to move ahead, although he was later excluded elevating Tommy to third.
The Euro RX battle resumes in two months, when the series returns to Barcelona, Spain for round four over the weekend of 17 & 18 September.
Tommy Rustad, driver Albatec Racing #24 :
“It’s been a difficult weekend with changeable weather. I was in a good position in Q1, taking the lead at the start, and on the drying track I had good grip but I didn’t want to push too hard. Although the car was good enough for better times, it was important to drive a clean race. In Q2 the track had dried, but when we were on the grid it started to rain again. I got a good start, I was first into turn one, but it was tight with Kevin [Hansen] and I went into the gravel.
“In Q3, it started to rain just before the race and I got a good start and was leading but with half a lap to go another competitor rolled causing the red flag. Before the restart it started to rain again, so we switched to wet tyres, I took the lead again but after one and a half laps I got a right rear puncture making it difficult to drive. I won the race, but with the rain and puncture the time wasn’t good. In the final race I started from pole and got quite a good start, but [Max] Pucher on the outside took the lead so I went straight to the joker. I was catching them back but then I had the gearbox problem and had to retire. In the semi I made a very good start and overtook Andy but unfortunately we had a little touch and he rolled. I finished third but it was a very special situation when I was involved in the touch when he rolled, it was not a good feeling.
“In the final I started from the last row and made an OK start and was going straight into the joker behind [Tord] Linnerud, pushing him hard. I managed to get third but on the last lap I made a small mistake which allowed [Tamas] Pal Kiss to pass me, though he was later excluded. I’m very happy to finish on the podium, not just for me but for the whole team, who did a brilliant job to prepare the car after all the incidents. They deserve this podium.”
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing #26:
“I’m disappointed not to go to the Final as I think we had the pace to do so this weekend. It’s been a very difficult weekend with really challenging conditions, never sure if it was going to be a dry race or a wet race and even during the races the conditions on track have been changing quite dramatically.
“Today was much of the same weather-wise, which made the racing difficult, but I’m happy to have been consistently in the top ten across the weekend and to have been in a strong position to reach the finals. I made a good start in semi-final two and was sitting third on the first lap when I had contact with Tommy at the last corner which despite my attempts to recover tipped me into a soft roll and ended my chances of reaching the final.
“From a team perspective, it’s been a very challenging weekend, but is a great result to have all three cars consistently in the top ten and to have all three in the semis really is a landmark result for Albatec. Looking ahead to Barcelona, our aim will be again to have all of us in the semi-finals, and if we push hard then it would be great to have us all Final.”
Jérôme Grosset-Janin, driver Albatec Racing #74 :
“You hear about it, you watch it on videos and see pictures, but until you actually feel it, drive it, smell it, you really can’t know what it’s like at Höljes. It’s an amazing atmosphere but the track itself is another new challenge. After my first four laps I thought I’d need the whole weekend to know how to drive it, but after Q1 and Q2 I was feeling more confident. We had a slow puncture in Q1, and in Q2 we took a risk with the tyres using slicks when everyone else was on wets.
“It was a difficult day two also, with lots of weather changes, and we had to manage twice some late tyre choices and it wasn’t easy to continue learning the track. We managed to stay in a strong position in the races to reach the semi-finals in a not too bad position. In the semi we ran on slicks, which allowed me to attack more than I was able to on wets, I think we’re missing something with traction which gave us low performance in the wet. But in the semi my times were comparable with the fastest lap times which gives us some good tips for the future. Overall I’m very happy to finish the weekend with six good laps and to feel what it’s like to drive fast at Höljes.”