Albatec Racing took both its Peugeot 208 RX Supercars to the finals for the first time this weekend, with Jérôme Grosset-Janin and James Grint taking up position in the two races at the NAF World RX of Norway. Round three of the FIA European Rallycross Championship at Lånkabanan, near Hell, saw 19,000 enthusiastic spectators, and millions of TV viewers around the world treated to a world-class demonstration from the record 47-car entry.
Heading into the weekend with a slender two-point lead in Euro RX following first and second places in the opening two rounds, Jérôme was immediately on the pace aboard his Poujoulat-backed two-litre, 16v 208 RX, comfortably among the crucial top 12 qualifying positions. Across Saturday’s two heats, the former French Champion was placed third after heat one, and fourth after heat two, to head into the overnight classification fourth overall.
The Frenchman maintained that pace in Sunday’s final two heats, to set-up a place in the second of the two semi-finals. A great move on Ollie O’Donovan allowed Jerome to take second place, and the following lap the race lead. With everyone else having taken their compulsory joker lap, Jérôme set some scorching laps to build a five second lead, and even after he’d taken his joker, held that advantage to the flag.
Lining up on the front row for the six-lap Final, a great start placed him second, however on lap two he was unable to avoid a spinning Frode Holte in front, causing damage to his 208, and dropping him just outside the podium places.
Briton James Grint made it a double for the Dumfries team, powering his Up&Go-supported car to his first semi final appearance in European rallycross. In only his third Euro RX outing, the 25 year-old secured three second places from four races, and was consistently in the overall top ten qualifiers.
Despite first corner contact with Lukas Walfridson in his opening heat, he was tenth overall, and a stunning performance in his second race saw him make a flying start and finish second, to lay seventh overall overnight.
Sunday’s final two qualifying races again allowed the Hertfordshire racer to show his potential, and even a slower overall heat time in both races could not prevent him from qualifying ninth to secure a place in the first semi-final. Running fourth on the opening lap, a slow joker lap dropped him down to fifth, but left the former rally man happy with his pace and performance.
The team will resume its bid for the Euro RX title in round four of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, in Barcelona, Spain over the weekend of 19&20 September. Before that, Andy Scott will continue his bid for British Rallycross Championship honours on August Bank Holiday Monday at Lydden Hill, while Jérôme will join Citroën WTCC driver, ten-time Andros Trophy winner Yvan Muller in World RX of France at Lohéac in two weeks time.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal:
“It’s been an incredible weekend. The crowd and the whole atmosphere of the event were amazing, and the cars were reliable and fast all weekend. I’m delighted to have had both cars reach the semi finals; James did an exceptional job on only his third Euro RX event, in what was an incredibly competitive field. He was consistently fast all weekend and in the running for a place in the finals throughout.
“Naturally it’s rather a disappointing result for Jérôme after first and second in the opening two races, but once again he had the pace, it was just a combination of things that meant he was unable to challenge for the win and hold on to the series lead. But that is rallycross, things change so quickly, and we will fight back in Spain.”
Jérôme Grosset-Janin Albatec Racing driver #74:
“The car was good, and the mechanics did a good job. The final was very tricky, it was hard competition. I made a good start, but I got a push from behind, I tried to hold my place as much as possible, but it was very hard. Tommy [Rustad] did a very good job; we knew before we came here he’d be very fast. We finished fourth, which is not so bad for the championship, so let’s think a little bit now about Lohéac in two weeks time, and then come back fighting for the European championship in Spain.”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver #27:
“Obviously I’d have liked to have got through to the final but I think we’re making good progress, the results and pace are much better than they have been in other races. I’m really happy with the result, and hope in Barcelona we can reach the final. We’ve got everything lined-up now, the car is handling perfectly, it was faultless all weekend, we actually haven’t changed anything since testing. I’m really happy with the result, I like my base set-up, so that’s how we’ll be going to Barcelona, so thank you Albatec!”
