Albatec Racing was denied the chance to return to the FIA European Rallycross Championship podium in Spain this weekend, despite a stunning pace that netted the third fastest overall for Jérôme Grosset-Janin in heat three. The Frenchman, in his Poujoulat-backed Peugeot 208 RX Supercar, won two of the four Euro RX heats, with second in the third, and not even a non-finish in the fourth could stop the former French champion from easily progressing to the finals.
The brand new Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya provided plenty of action, with the opening heat race seeing Jérôme take the win, the Euro RX lead, and the eighth fastest overall time. Heat two proved frustrating after a broken left front wheel saw the title contender stranded out on track on the first lap, which dropped him down the overnight standings.
He bounced back in Sunday’s final two heats however, a comfortable race win and a cracking pace securing the third fastest overall time and a slot in the final race of heat four. A good start nearly ended in disaster, sandwiched between the cars of Tanner Foust and Robin Larsson, he managed to avoid any damage, and went on to finish second fastest in Euro RX, and secure pole for the second semi-final.
Second in that earnt him a second row start for the all-important final and after a good getaway he managed to avoid the sliding Tommy Rustad, but contact with Jonni-Pekka Rajala on the exit of turn one brought his race, and his bid for a third podium finish, to an end.
The weekend proved tough for his British team-mate James Grint, the rallycross newcomer hitting a concrete wall on the first lap of his first heat race. Substantial damage sustained to his Up&Go-supported Peugeot 208 RX Supercar meant he was unable to start the second heat race, dropping the Hertfordshire driver down the order at the overnight point.
Come Sunday morning, the former rallyman was up in race one of heat three, alongside Jérôme, in which he finished third to move him back up the order. In his final race, an out of control Max Pucher hampered James’ progress, the Briton forced to take avoiding action and dropping him back out of contention for a third semi final appearance of the season.
With an appearance in World RX with Flying Finn Kristian Sohlberg in two weeks time, followed by a return to the British Rallycross Championship with Andy Scott at Croft a week later, Albatec returns to Euro RX for the final round in Franciacorta, Italy over the weekend of 17&18 October.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal :
“It’s been a mixed weekend for Team Albatec. On Saturday Jérôme was very good, he was leading the times in Euro RX, and driving well, but a small mistake meant he dropped down to P10. But we all had belief in him and that he could bring it back. He lined up for heat three and drove an absolutely amazing race to set the fastest time, which was only beaten in the last heat by two other drivers, a truly remarkable drive. In heat four, the last heat of the day with all the top drivers, he drove another good race, a solid performance, which allowed him to take pole for his semi final.
“In the semi final he didn’t make the best start and was out-dragged by Veiby into the first corner, but had a good fight throughout, pushing him to the finish. In the final starting P3 on the second row obviously it was always going to be tough with six guys wanting to win, and he needed to win to keep the championship fight alive. He made a reasonable start but got caught up in the inevitable first corner collision. In turn two, he tried to make a move around the outside, but unfortunately he got some contact from another driver and suffered broken rear suspension. He showed amazing speed when he was going though and we go forward to Italy to fight for the championship.
“James had a mixed weekend, with not much practice on Saturday and in heat one he was very unlucky. He made a small mistake and hit the concrete wall, which damaged the left side of the car. In heat three he drove very well, with quick times, which would usually be enough to get him through. His driving is improving race on race, and our ambition is to get him through to the final in Italy.”
Jérôme Grosset-Janin, Albatec Racing driver #74 :
“First of all I think it’s great to be part of the first ever World and Euro RX event in Spain, the organisers did a great job in producing a track that is very interesting to drive, with a good mix of technical and very specific areas, it’s been great to race here.
“We had a good pace with the car and I was pretty unlucky in heat two, I made a little mistake, and maybe I should have done something a little different. But to be third fastest overall in heat three was very important for me, the team, for all at Albatec Racing, for everyone working with us. The semi final was good, I had a good fight with Ole-Christian Veiby, I really enjoyed that, and it was a lot of fun. But in the final I was involved in a heavy collision with another driver, which I feel could have been avoided, after all we're all here fighting for the championship! Now let’s see what happens in Italy!”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver #27 :
“It’s not really gone my way this weekend. We had a technical issue in open practice, which meant we only got one clean run, so four laps only. We went into the first heat with a good start, and everything was going well, but in the really bad visibility in the dust, I went off and hit a concrete wall. So it was a big push to get the car ready, the boys did a great job, but we missed the second heat.
“In heat three we had a good run, finished third, with a decent time. Then in heat four I had a battle at the start with another car, which saw us drop back, and we lost quite a bit of time. But that’s the way it goes. Even with a few problems, we were on course to qualify for the semis. The pace is there, I feel great in the car but if you have a few problems in rallycross it hampers your overall result. You need at least three clean heats. It’s tough luck we didn’t get out in heat two, but that’s what happens when you crash.
“I’m looking forward to Italy. I think it will suit the car. We’ve got some really good dampers, this is the biggest jump I’ve done on the X-Tec dampers, and they’re everything you could want in a rallycross car, it lands like a cat. So I’m looking forward to Italy to see how brave we can be over the jumps.”
