EKSRX begins the defence of its two FIA World Rallycross Championship titles at the World RX of Spain this weekend, however much has changed over the winter.
Mattias Ekstrom’s outfit will begin the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship as a Factory backed effort with Audi Sport confirming they will support the team as it looks to win both the Drivers Title and the Teams Title this year. To add to this, the team has expanded to a three car outfit with Topi Heikkinen returning for a second season whilst Reinis Nitiss joins the squad in a third Audi Quattro S1 Supercar.
After recent testing, Ekstrom is confident of repeating his 2016 title success and is looking to start with a great defence.
“Last week, we did another three-day test in France and are entering the season superbly prepared,”explained the former DTM Champion.
EKSRX expand to a three car team for the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Credit: Audi MediaCentre
With Heikkinen taking several podium finishes last year and Nitiss already acknowledged as one of the fastest young talents in World RX, the EKSRX team has assembled a fine line up for 2017 and the aims are already clear to Ekstrom.
“I’m very happy with the development work that was done in winter and our aim for this season is clear: we’d like to win the drivers’ and teams’ titles in the FIA World Rallycross Championship again this year.”
With increased factory efforts from Peugeot, Ford and Volkswagen for the new season, Ekstrom is aware of what he and the team face, however he recall his 2016 World RX of Spain success with fond memories.
“Thinking about last year puts a grin on my face,” recalls the Swede.
