Albatec Racing is revving up for the final battle of the 2013 FIA European Rallycross Championship at Estering, where Team Principal Andy Scott will be aiming for success aboard the two-litre 16v Albatec Peugeot 208.
Contesting the ninth round of the re-branded RallycrossRX, the team has firm intentions of repeating the performance that netted a place in the semi-finals in Austria last time out, while the Dumfries Scotsman returns to Germany determined for a repeat of his 2012 success, a weekend that netted heat and B Final victories and fifth place in the A Final.
Although the IMG-promoted RX series format differs from last season’s, with four qualifying heats, two six-car semi finals and a six-car final, the 2011 MSA British Rallycross Vice-Champion aims to seal his European season in style and has fond memories of the track located in Buxtehude, south west of Hamburg. One of the shortest circuits on the European calendar, Estering also features one of the fastest straights, with top speeds approaching 180kmh, but it’s the tricky first corner, which tightens into a 90 degree right turn, together with the likelihood of rain, that could prove critical to the final outcome.
With solid development progress made by the Albatec Racing team throughout the previous eight RX events, the 600bhp Peugeot 208 is undoubtedly among the quickest on the grid and in Scott’s hands can boast heat victories and some rapid pace over the course of its debut season. Although yet to make the all-important final, with only bad luck in Austria that saw two slower heat times stop the team in its bid to progress, aspirations remain high for the fledgling team to seal 2013 with a strong result amid a 25-car field boasting the best of European rallycross racers.
Racing for the last time on the European calendar this year, the team will be re-acquainted with the 952m circuit in official practice at 11.15 on Saturday, September 21, ahead of two qualifying heats that get underway at 14.10. Sunday’s final two heats starting at 10.00, and two semi finals at 15.00 are followed by what promises to be a close-fought, televised Supercar season finale at 15.40. Additional information and events tickets are available from http://www.rallycross-tickets.de/estering/info.php
Andy Scott, Team Principal and driver Albatec Racing #26 :
“I’m looking forward to racing in Estering, I like the track and it always proves popular with the crowds with a good atmosphere. The first corner is notoriously tricky; it tightens into a 90 right, and over the years has caught out a lot of drivers.
“Reaching the semi finals in Austria was a real turning point for the team. Over the last four rounds, we’ve proved the 208s speed and reliability, and it was only down to some bad luck that I feel we didn’t get through to the final in Austria. Once again the semis will be the aim, but of course it would be nice to end the European season with a place in the final.”
Marc Laboulle, Team Manager Albatec Racing :
“The last event of the season is always very important, everybody wants to finish the year with a good result, and we are no different. There is a bigger Supercar entry in Germany, so it will be important to get the maximum speed in our heats and again our objective will be to reach the semi finals.
“The first corner is always the most difficult, the track itself is very fast and very spectacular, with a good balance of gravel and tarmac. The weather is also very important here, if it’s dry it is one of the fastest on the calendar, but if it’s wet, it’s very difficult. But I think if we arrive with the same pace we had in heat three in Austria it is easily possible for us to reach the semi finals and end the season with a good result.”
