The opening round of the 2017 FIA European Rallycross Championship for Supercars gets underway this weekend in Spain, where Albatec Racing are looking towards getting a good start with their 2017 line up of 2015 Champion Tommy Rustad and 2016 Finnish Rallycross champion Jere Kalliokoski.
Tommy Rustad is looking to take a podium finish in the 2017 Euro RX of Spain. Credit: Albatec Racing
With a years experience of the teams Peugeot 208 WRX Supercar under his belt, Rustad already starts as one of the favourites to be fighting for the Drivers Title this year and he will be looking to put this knowledge to good use on the Grand Prix circuit. Rustad overcame a dramatic roll to finish second in Spain last year and is looking for the win.
“The team again worked very well together and I believe we have a good combination. Whilst I have a season in the car behind me, we take that knowledge into 2017,” explained Rustad. “Barcelona is a track I like very much and despite the roll last season, the team worked hard to get us back on track to finish second. So this year the target will be very much on reaching the final and hopefully securing at least another podium.”
Kalliokoski makes his debut in Euro RX this year and is looking to learn from the likes of Rustad whilst he gets to grips with the Dumfries based team’s Peugeot 208 in the Supercar class this year. However, the young Finnish driver has clear aims for this weekend.
“I’m very excited to start my season with Albatec this weekend,” explained Kalliokoski. “I am eager to start the season, although I know it will be a tough battle across 32 Euro RX Supercars. The line-up is stronger than ever so my goal is to have a solid start, collect some good points and try to avoid any dramas.”
Philippe Maloigne will tackle the French Rallycross Championship as well as selected Euro RX events in 2017. Credit: Albatec/McKlein
Albatec Racing’s French Rallycross Championship driver Philippe Maloigne takes part in the Euro RX round this weekend and is eager to get stuck in with such a strong entry in the Supercar class.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting back on track this weekend, and very excited to be racing in Spain,” said Maloigne. “The Euro RX entry is incredibly strong this year, with a lot of very experienced racers, however I’m confident that I have made the necessary preparations, along with the team in their further development of the Peugeot 208 to allow us to come away with a good result.”
