Daventry based team JRM World RX have confirmed that four time Free-riding Champion Guerlain Chicherit will return to join the team for three events during the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship.
The popular French driver made his debut in World RX in 2015, contesting the World RX of France and the World RX of Italy in the teams 1.6 litre turbocharged BMW Mini Supercar and he impressed both the team and onlookers in both events, whilst planning to return to World RX to continue learning the sport further. Chicherit will contest the World RX of France, World RX of Spain and the World RX of Germany at the wheel of the teams second BMW Mini, which has now been upgraded with the new 2.0 litre turbocharged engine.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in World RX with JRM again,” Guerlain said.“We’ve been exploring many options since Lohéac last year and initially spoke about doing the full FIA European Rallycross Championship in 2016. However, I decided to wait until the new engine was developed for JRM’s two cars.
“I hope to play my part in developing the car further so I can do a full championship season next year,” he explained. “The level of competition has increased again from 12 months ago with new teams and star drivers, so my expectations remain quite realistic: to enjoy my racing and the crazy atmosphere.
Taking part in these three events on the 2016 calendar will allow the French driver to not only acclimatise to the new engine, but also the chance to race in front of his home crowd and this is is something he’s looking forward to:
“I’m really looking forward to racing in front of my home crowd again, and can’t wait to get in the car. I’ve still so much to learn in World RX but it’s super exciting to be part of the show and to race alongside some pretty impressive names in motorsport.”
Team Principal James Rumsey is looking forward to having Chicherit back in the car this season, “Guerlain took a big step when he joined the World RX grid last season but he did a very good job. He impressed everyone in the team with his professional approach and the way he adjusted to driving door-to-door on a crowded track – particularly on his debut at his home event.
“The pressure was really on at Lohéac but he used that to his advantage,” Rumsey explains. “He’ll need to adjust to driving our two-litre development engine when he returns to the track in a few weeks but I’m sure he’ll be up to speed in no time. We’re looking forward to supporting Guerlain as he continues his development as a World RX driver.”
