The Montalegre circuit in Portugal plays host to the first round of the 2017 FIA European Rallycross Championship for Super1600 with 30 drivers confirmed to take part.
Ulrik Linnemann is looking for his first FIA Euro RX Super1600 title in 2017. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
With such a competitive field descending on the Portuguese circuit, the competition will be fierce as everyone will be looking to get their 2017 campaigns off to a good start. 2016 title contenders Ulrik Linnemann and Daniel Nielsen return in Peugeot 208’s for what is a two car entry for Linnemann Motorsport with Linnemann looking to secure that elusive first title.
Pre-season favourites Volland Racing are fielding three Skoda Fabia’s in 2017 for Krisztián Szabo, Gergely Marton and Artis Baumanis, who has moved across from the SET Promotion squad he drove for last year.
2016 FIA Euro RX Super1600 Champion Krisztián Szabo drives one of 8 Skoda’s entered for the 2017 season Credit: Matt Bristow
There is a strong Czech Republic entry in the class with Pavel Vimmer, Zdenek Kucera, Josef Susta all driving Skoda Fabia’s along with FIA Euro RX Super1600 regulars Kasparas Navickas and Janno Ligur completing the entry of eight Skoda’s in the series for 2017.
Whilst Szabo will be looking to defend his 2016 title whilst hunting for second consecutive title, SET Promotion return with a two car effort in 2017 being spearheaded by Timur Shigaboutdinov and Jussi-Petteri Leppihalme. Leppihalme, who returns to the class, will drive one of the teams Renault Twingo’s this season.
Artis Baumanis has moved from SET Promotion to Volland Racing for 2017 Credit: Rihards Baumanis/Baumanis Motorpsort Photography
Local interest will come from Mario Barbosa who has confirmed that he will drive a Ford Fiesta in the 2017 season, after campaigning a Citroen Saxo last year in the first two rounds of the series. Along with Barbosa, there are six Portuguese drivers entered for their home event in the series.
The 2017 FIA European Rallycross Championship for Super1600 also takes place alongside the 2nd round of The 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship with both series in action on April 21-23.
