Andy Scott is revved up for his final FIA European Rallycross battle of the season in Germany this weekend. The leading Scottish rallycross star will be hunting a top six finish aboard his Ford Focus ST T16 to end his 2012 European campaign on a high.
Having competed in five ERC events this year, Scott heads to Germany with his fifth heat victory already in the bag, earned on debut at the Kouvola track last weekend. Although the race results didnt reflect Scotts potential in Finland, the Tony Bardy Motorsport-prepared Ford Focus ST showed increased pace throughout the weekend, with consistent top seven race times.
A steering issue in the B Final, while comfortably leading three of the four laps, ended Scotts chances of progressing to the all-important A Final. However, with a new steering rack fitted to his 4x4 550bhp Ford Focus ahead of Saturdays first track action on the 945-metre course, the Dumfries scallop trawlerman is confident of a return to the form that netted him a podium finish in Holland last season.
Heading into his debut appearance at the Estering, Buxtehude, the 2011 MSA British Rallycross Vice-Champion will be one of only three Britons in the 24-strong Supercar line-up for the ERC season finale. And with heavy rain forecast right through until Saturday, the Scotsman is relishing the prospect of another wet weekend and conditions that couldnt be more suited to him and the Scott Trawlers-backed Focus.
Im very much looking forward to Germany this weekend as we had great pace in Finland last time out, said Scott. Its my first time here and although I havent had a chance to go round the track yet, from what Ive seen of the circuit the racing should be close, and the weather conditions are absolutely perfect for both me and the Ford Focus.
I was very encouraged by our performance last weekend. Although the results didnt necessarily reflect our pace, as we had a couple of issues, we were consistently in the top seven. Without the steering issue in the B Final, we could have easily qualified for the A final. So thats our aim this weekend. Were having a new steering rack fitted prior to the opening free practice on Saturday, and Im sure well be right on it when we hit the track for qualifying later that day.
Free practice gets underway at 10.15 on Saturday, September 29, with the first of two four-lap sessions. The second takes place at 11.45 ahead of timed practice at 13.20. The opening heats start at 16.00 that afternoon with the second and third heats kicking off Sundays track action at 10.00 and 12.30, and the finals at 15.00. All times are local and subject to change.
