Albatec Racing will double up their chances of victory in the fifth round of the 2016 MSA British Rallycross Championship as they field entries in the MSA Supercar class and the RX150 class at the Maasmechelen circuit in Belgium.
In the Supercar class, James Grint returns to the wheel as he embarks on the second half of his maiden season in British RX at the wheel of the Dumfries based squad’s Peugeot 208 RX. The team suffered mechanical issues that kept them out of the running at Pembrey before the summer break, however the cars have seen competitive action in the FIA European Rallycross Championship, Grint is positive about translating that speed into podiums in the British Series:
“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!” explained Grint, who will make his debut at the Belgian circuit.
“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 makes his return to the RX150 class after dominating the class in recent seasons to take two championship wins, taking to the wheel of the Albatec machine. As Scott explains, he’s missed the thrill of the racing in this class of field however experience is on his side:
“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,” explained Scott. “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.”
Team Principle Andy Scott is looking forward to an improved second half of the season for the team:
“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,” Scott explained. “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.”
