Albatec Racing has confirmed that James Grint will drive the second Peugeot 208 WRX Supercar at Pembrey for the third round of the 2015 MSA British Rallycross Championship, replacing Mark Flaherty.
Grint has already confirmed that he is competing in a full campaign of the 2015 FIA European Rallycross at Albatec with Jerome Grosset-Janin as his team-mate, however after the team and Flaherty were unable to agree terms for the rest of the season, Grint now gets a chance to familiarise himself with the car he will pilot this season.
Grint has already had a chance to sample the Albatec built machine, having tested alongside Jacques Villeneuve in 2013 at Dreux as well as being part of a recent test in France. Whilst Grint familiarises himself with the car, Team Principal Andy Scott is looking for his third win of the BritishRX season as he bids to win his first British Title. So far taking wins at Croft and Lydden Hill have shown the pedigree of the 208 WRX against what is one of the strongest Supercar fields for sometime in the British Championship.
James Grint has set what he believes is an acheivable target for Pembrey.
“I like Pembrey, it’s the first track I ever drove on in rallycross in the buggy, and this will be my third time there,” said Grint. “It’s fast, with some very tight corners, so I’m very excited to get out there in a Supercar. The event offers a perfect opportunity to not only gain more seat and track time, but also ahead of my EuroRX debut to get a Supercar race under my belt prior to Belgium. I’m under no pressure though, my focus is EuroRX, however I still have ambitions to get a podium in Wales.”
Meanwhile Scott is looking to continue his winning streak in 2015 and he is well aware that he has a hard task ahead of him.
“I’m delighted to welcome James to our BritishRX campaign in Wales,” said Scott. “We had a very successful test in France last week, and when the second seat became available James was the obvious choice to fill it. With only a few weeks until his EuroRX debut in Belgium, racing at Pembrey provides further opportunity for him to achieve extra track time in the car.”
However, Scott believes that the Albatec Peugeot has shown its a fast package and hopes to attract more talent to the team.
“We naturally wish Mark the very best in his search for an alternative seat, while we will now have the second car available for the remaining rounds of the British Rallycross Championship. I think we have proved the 208s potential, so I’m confident that we will be back to full strength very soon. Looking ahead to Pembrey, we go there in a very strong position having won the opening two rounds, however we were very lucky at Lydden Hill, and you can never underestimate the competition in BRX. This year is stronger than ever and I’m sure we’ll be pushed hard.”
Round three of the British Rallycross Championship takes place at Pembrey on 10 May.
