Albatec Racing returns to race action this weekend in round eight of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, the Remus Rallycross of Austria, at the PS Racing Centre, Greinbach. The fledgling team fielding a two litre 16v Peugeot 208 for Team Principal Andy Scott, heads into the penultimate round determined to build on a performance that netted consistently competitive lap times for Kris Meeke in Lohéac, and saw Scott qualify just outside the top 12.
The 2011 MSA British Rallycross Vice-Champion took heat victory and two second places in France, but just lacked the ultimate race pace to enable him to progress through to the semi-finals. The Albatec Peugeot 208 has however shown its ability to run at the front and while the team continues its development of the French powerhouse, there are high expectations ahead of the final two rounds of RallycrossRX, which culminates in back-to-back rounds in Austria and Germany.
The 208s reliability in the previous seven rounds has been second to none. The newest car on the RX grid has some of the best technical partners in rallycross; with engines built by Oreca, transmissions by Sadev and Soben dampers. Their combined expertise has allowed the 600bhp, four-wheel-drive dream machine to impress from the outset.
Now that reliability, coupled with an improved pace over the last three rounds, could prove the key to success in Austria. For Scott, his recent injury during testing for France was pushed to the very limit while competing last month, however his determination is high as he bids to cement his position as one of Britain’s finest rallycross racers competing on the world stage.
Located in the town of Greinbach in the district of Hartberg, the Remus Rallycross of Austria will not attract the 60,000 or so spectators that flocked to the last round, however this season’s premier rallycross series certainly has top-flight driver appeal in the form of some of the finest rallycross racers in the world. Joining Scott in Austria will be reigning champion and RallycrossRX points leader Timur Timerzyanov, double RX winner Andreas Bakkerud, and French sensation Davy Jeanney, who finished third in France.
While the competition is high, so are the team’s hopes of bringing the 2013 season to a close with a strong result for the Peugeot 208 around the 1.1km track in Austria.
Andy Scott, Team Principal and driver Albatec Racing #26 :
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to race in Austria after missing the event last year. It’s not a track I know incredibly well, having raced there only once back in 2011, but I think we proved again in France that the team has built a very competitive and reliable car with which we are able to challenge for victory, so we look to the final two rounds determined to finish the year on a high.
“I was disappointed to be so close to securing a place in the semi finals, but the team is nothing if not determined to redress that before the end of the season. So with just two RX events left, this weekend is critical to allow us to show the car’s true potential, and convert that into race results.
“The team has worked hard all year, our technical partners have continued to develop the car and that was rewarded with a great pace in France. Now I’m anxious to continue the upward progress and seal the season with a strong result, starting with Austria.”
Marc Laboulle, Team Manager Albatec Racing :
“We know exactly where we are with the car in terms of speed and development and the track in Austria is similar to Lydden and Lohéac, with long fast corners and lots of tarmac. We’ve been quick at both those tracks this year, so I’m sure it will suit the Peugeot 208 very well.
“We have no specific objectives, but when you look at the entry list which is much reduced from the grid in France, we should be able to make the semi finals, while acknowledging the strength of those competing. At the same time the team is working towards 2014 and our proposed entry into the FIA World Rallycross Championship, so in some ways that takes the pressure off in the last two rounds of RallycrossRX. However as always we will give it everything we can to provide Andy with the best car with which to challenge for honours.”
