FIA World Rallycross

Albatec Racing Shines in France

2 Mins read

Albatec Racing enjoyed another promising weekends racing at Round Eight of the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship held at Loheac in France.

Team Principal Andy Scott showed that the Albatec Peugeot 208 Supercars had the pace on french soil to go wheel to wheel with the finest Rallycross drivers in the World Championship and the best that the French Rallycross Championship has to offer, to make it to the Semi-Final stage for the fifth time this year.

Meanwhile Scotts’ experienced new team mate David Binks had a steep learning curve getting used to the 600bhp Supercar whilst competing in a field of 36 other Supercars where times where very close on track and the Heats were hard fought. However this has not deterrred David at all, who is now looking to secure a full time drive in next years championship.

Andy managed to make it through the Heat stages, taking a race win in race six of Heat Three to keep him in the hunt of a top twelve place and he was duly rewarded with a place in Semi-Final Two. However the pace of the 208 against the other Semi-Finalists was not enough and Andy finished in fifth place.

Andy was very happy with the weekend’s work. “What a fantastic start to the day winning the opening race was with such strong competition. I knew heat four would be tough, but having been consistently among the qualifying positions all weekend, and having previously qualified for four of my five events this year, I would have been very disappointed not to get through to the semis.” Said Scott.
“Having said that, to qualify here, at arguably the home of French rallycross, in a French car, with French engine and gearbox, made this weekend extra special. The competition was particularly fierce not just in the number of drivers but the quality of the entry, so for anyone to reach the semis is an achievement.”

David Binks was upbeat about his weekends performance. “It’s been a great experience, I’ve had a fantastic two days. During the test we found some time and over the weekend we’ve gone quicker and quicker. It’s been a tough weekend, tougher than I was probably expecting, but I’m pleased with the way I’ve driven and with the way the car has been. We had a few issues early yesterday, but the guys got it all sorted and we’ve been going better and better each time. Today’s heats were tough, with quite a bit of rough and tumble, but to be honest 21st after two years away, on a new track and with this level of competition, yeah I’m a happy man.” said Binks.

“I don’t think there’s a bad driver among them to be honest, but you know we’ve all got good cars with good drivers and unfortunately for me this weekend was an accumulation of not really knowing the car, not knowing the circuit and trying to pull all those things together at probably the pinnacle of the sport, it just needed more time and experience.”

The team now makes preparations for the World RX of Germany, being held at Estering in two weeks time on 20-21st of September where Andy is joined in the team by Swedish Female Rallycross star Ramona Karlsson. The team has a test planned for today in preparation for her appearance in Germany.

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I have been a very passionate fan of Motorsport for over 30 years with Touring Cars as my favourite form of Motor Racing. I cover The TCR UK Series, The TCR Europe Series and The FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) as well as following various TCR Series around the world.
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