Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Friday 1 May, 2015; Albatec Racing heads to Pembrey, North Wales on May 10 aiming for a hat-trick of victories in the British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group. The Dumfries-based team claimed victory in the opening rounds at Croft and Lydden Hill, with Andy Scott twice powering his 600bhp Peugeot 208RX to the top spot.
Former WRX and GRC racer Andy currently leads the series following his dominant win in North Yorkshire, and a last lap victory in Kent last time out. Now, the Lochfoot driver will be looking for a third successive win to bring his title aspirations ever closer as he bids to lift the crown he so nearly claimed in 2011.
The day will also mark the long-awaited race appearance of the team’s British EuroRX runner James Grint. The Hertford-based driver will pilot the two-litre, 16v Supercar raced by Mark Flaherty at Lydden Hill after Team Principal Andy and Mark were unable to reach an agreement to continue the BRX season. While Flaherty seeks an alternative seat in which to complete the year, Albatec will use the Welsh round as additional track time for the former RX150 race winner ahead of his FIA European Rallycross Championship debut.
Though the event will mark his first Supercar race, he’s no stranger to the Albatec Peugeot 208RX. Having first driven at Dreux alongside former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneueve during testing in 2013, James joined the team’s second EuroRX driver Jerome Grosset-Janin for three days testing in France last week.
Completing the Albatec line-up in Wales is double and reigning RX150 champion Marc Scott, who returns to race action looking to repeat his win last time out. The Lochmaben driver put his gearbox issues from Croft behind him and debuted his new buggy in Kent, taking a convincing win to keep alive his hopes of a third consecutive title.
Tickets for round three of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group on Sunday 10 May are available from just £12 from http://www.pembreycircuit.co.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing driver and Team Principal:
“I’m delighted to welcome James to our BritishRX campaign in Wales. We had a very successful test in France last week, and when the second seat became available James was the obvious choice to fill it. With only a few weeks until his EuroRX debut in Belgium, racing at Pembrey provides further opportunity for him to achieve extra track time in the car.
“We naturally wish Mark the very best in his search for an alternative seat, while we will now have the second car available for the remaining rounds of the British Rallycross Championship. I think we have proved the 208s potential, so I’m confident that we will be back to full strength very soon.
“Looking ahead to Pembrey, we go there in a very strong position having won the opening two rounds, however we were very lucky at Lydden Hill, and you can never underestimate the competition in BRX. This year is stronger than ever and I’m sure we’ll be pushed hard.”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver:
“I like Pembrey, it’s the first track I ever drove on in rallycross in the buggy, and this will be my third time there. It’s fast, with some very tight corners, so I’m very excited to get out there in a Supercar. The event offers a perfect opportunity to not only gain more seat and track time, but also ahead of my EuroRX debut to get a Supercar race under my belt prior to Belgium. I’m under no pressure though, my focus is EuroRX, however I still have ambitions to get a podium in Wales.”
Marc Scott, Albatec Racing driver:
“I’m looking forward to racing at Pembrey, it’s a track on which I’ve had a certain amount of success in recent years, so I’m hoping to capitalise on the results last time out. It’s a very good track, very fast and rewarding to drive on. The first corner particularly is always tight and it’s certainly important to start from the inside if possible.”
Mark Flaherty:
“It is with regret that I now won’t be racing with Albatec, their new terms unfortunately did not meet with my programme. I wish them all the best for the future, while I am actively looking at other options for the remainder of 2015.”
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