After a great start to the opening round of the 2016 MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with Odyssey Battery at Croft this weekend, James Grint easily qualified for his first RX Final, posting the fourth fastest time after three heats. However, the Dumfries team was denied the opportunity to start the race, after suspension damage sustained in the semi final sidelined the #27 Peugeot 208 RX Supercar.

Heading into the event with a brand new livery for the Hertfordshire racer, a great opening heat race saw the 25 year-old finish second, and post the fourth fastest time overall. Fourth place in race two, and fifth fastest overall, plus seventh overall in the day’s third heat allowed the former rally man to easily progress to the eight-car final.

Suspension damage suffered in the semi final however, which saw James finish third and comfortably among the qualifying fastest eight, meant the team was forced to withdraw from the final, ending its hopes of starting the season with a podium spot. James will return to race action in round two of the eight-round series, which takes place at the spiritual home of rallycross, Lydden Hill in Kent over the Easter weekend, March 26-28.

Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :

“We had some issues in the semi final and sustained some suspension damage, which unfortunately we were unable to fix ahead of the final. On a positive note, the car was very quick and handled really well, and James showed great speed throughout the day.

“It was far from an ideal start to the season for us, James missed some of the practice session putting him on the back foot, however he recovered from that to post the fourth fastest time in the opening heat. Throughout the day he’s been quick, and I’m sure we will bounce back from this disappointment to be challenging for a place in the final at Lydden Hill.”

James Grint, driver Albatec Racing :

“There were a number of problems during the day that were outside of our control, but the car is very quick. We had a small clutch problem before practice which meant we missed most of the session, but straight into the first heat we were quick and had a strong race pace which allowed me to finish second, and fourth fastest overall.

“We were matching the times of our competitors, and the package is certainly good enough to come away with a good result. We had to retire from the Final due to suspension issues sustained in the contact in the semi, but I think we proved we had the pace to cruise through. Not having any testing was an issue, but there’s really nothing to fault from the weekend, bar a technical issue.”