Abatec Racing continued to impress among the predominantly manufacturer-supported teams in round 11 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy at the Intercity Istanbul Park on Sunday. Running consistently in the top 12 on Saturday, 2011 British Rallycross Vice-Champion Andy Scott maintained that form in yesterday’s final two qualifying heats to place 12th and power his Albatec Peugeot 208 to its seventh semi-final slot.
On its first trip to Asia, the Dumfries-based team came close to getting both Albatec Peugeot 208s into the finals, with series debutant Marc Scott finishing just outside the qualifying dozen. The double British Rallycross RX150 Champion was placed 12th overnight, but two slower heats today dropped him down the order. Nevertheless it was a superb performance on his first competitive outing aboard the 600bhp, two-litre 16v Supercar.
Making history this weekend as the first father and son line-up in World RX, the team secured a tremendous 1-2 in Saturday’s second heat, and yesterday overcame the slippery conditions at the former F1 track to keep alive their hopes right to the final heat. On the stunning new, specially constructed rallycross course that utilised parts of the former F1 track, the Intercity Istanbul Park proved more than up to the task of keeping the 18,000 enthusiastic spectators entertained, amid some of the best racing action of the year.
With a six-week break now until the final round of the inaugural FIA-sanctioned World RX, at another new track, at San Luis in Argentina, the team’s re-build plans begin in earnest today as the field heads to South America for the grand finale over the weekend of 28&29 November.
Andy Scott, Team Principal and driver Albatec Racing #26 :
“It’s been another amazing weekend here in Turkey, on without doubt one of the best tracks we’ve visited this year. The whole atmosphere has been great and I’m really pleased to get another semi final performance under our belt.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get both cars into the semi finals, but Marc did a great job on his very first competitive outing in what is arguably the most competitive rallycross series in the world. Roll on Argentina!”
Marc Scott, driver Albatec Racing #122 :
“I’m feeling brilliant, what a weekend! The fourth heat was awesome but it’s a case of too little, too late. The whole weekend has been amazing it’s a whole new world. The entire atmosphere is out of this world, the support of all the other teams and drivers has been well, simply amazing.
“I’ve learnt a lot over the weekend, getting faster and faster, and with a few more laps under my belt I think I could have been challenging for a place in the semis. Massive thanks to my dad for the opportunity to experience what he does every race weekend, and full respect to him and all the other Supercar drivers, they really are the best in the world.”
