Finnish rally driver Kristian Sohlberg will join Albatec Racing’s ever-growing stable of star drivers contesting select rounds of French, British and World RX in 2015. The 37 year-old will first race one of the team’s two-litre, 16v Peugeot 208 RX Supercars alongside Frenchman Julien Fébreau at Pont de Ruan over the weekend of 11&12 July, in round four of the French Rallycross Championship.
Kristian will then make his British Rallycross Championship debut alongside Team Principal and championship leader Andy Scott at Pembrey the following weekend, before heading into his first FIA World Rallycross Championship event at World RX of Turkey in Istanbul over the weekend of 2-4 October.
The former Mitsubishi Motors works driver has contested World and European rallies throughout his 15-year career, and finished runner-up in the Production World Rally Championship in 2002, with wins in Sweden and Rally New Zealand. Now the Espoo-based driver will switch his attentions to the high-octane sport of rallycross, which pitches the world’s greatest drivers head-to-head across a series of short, sharp, all-action sprint races.
Kristian will undergo a test in France ahead of his first outing next month as the team continues to grow its impressive portfolio of drivers that sees the Dumfries-based outfit contest four rallycross series, including its championship-leading Euro RX and British RX title bids.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal:
“I’m delighted to welcome Kristian to the team, as we’ve been in discussion with him for some time now but were previously unable to agree a mutual calendar of events. His rally expertise I’m sure will be a great help on his rallycross debut, and I’m certain he will prove a valuable asset to the team.
“Albatec Racing is undergoing a very busy time across the four championships, with the emphasis naturally on continuing our championship leading performances in both Euro RX and British RX. The opportunity to contest select rounds of the French and World RX was simply too good to miss, as we look to build on that success.”
Kristian Sohlberg, Albatec Racing driver:
“I’m very happy to have finally organised a contract with Albatec Racing. I have been trying to get a chance in rallycross for some time and finally it worked. It is something totally new for me, but I know the team is very professional and the Peugeot 208 RX Supercar is very competitive.
“I’m really looking forward to the first test and race in France. These two events, in France and England are a build up for World RX of Turkey where I hope we can achieve a really good result and show what we can do. I want to thank Andy [Scott} and all my sponsors for this possibility. It will be a heck of a ride!”
