Albatec Racing will return to the French Rallycross Championship in 2016, fielding a two-litre, 16v Peugeot 208 RX Supercar for Super 1600 racer Philippe Maloigne. The Dumfries team contested two rounds of the French series last season, notably winning its first outright international Supercar race in Pont de Ruan with Canal+ F1 presenter Julien Fébreau.

Now, in phase two of its 2016 plans, Albatec will dovetail its MSA British Rallycross Championship bid with a campaign in the French series, which gets underway at Essay on May 1.

Philippe, a former international motocross rider, and French Supercross Champion, started his rallycross career in 2014 contesting the Super 1600 category in a Citroën Saxo where he finished on the podium at Lavaré and Pont de Ruan, and finished the season seventh overall.

In 2015 he made his Supercar debut in France, winning a heat at his first attempt, and joined the ranks of the FIA European Rallycross Championship piloting a Citroën C4 in the final two rounds in Spain and Italy. On both occasions he reached the semi-finals, finishing just outside the top three qualifying positions, with a season-best fourth in Barcelona.

Joining Albatec for a shakedown at Chateauroux this week, Philippe completed several runs around the French track, venue for round two of the series, and was impressed with both the car and team as he embarks on a first full season in Supercars.

French Rallycross Championship Calendar: May 1 Essay, May 22 Chateauroux, June 5 Faleyras, July 7 Lavaré, July 17 Pont de Ruan, July 31 Kerlabo, September 29 Mayenne, October 9 Dreux, October 23 Lessay

Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :

“It’s shaping up to be another busy season for Albatec, but one which I hope will reward all our hard work and efforts this year. We contested two rounds of the French series last year and it proved very competitive but also saw us take our first International Supercar outright victory with Julien.

“Philippe has a lot of Super 1600 experience, and although he’s relatively new to Supercars he put on a good show in 2015 that netted two semi final appearances in the final two rounds in Europe. At the shakedown he demonstrated a professional approach, and was certainly competitive, so I’m confident that with a few more miles under his belt he can challenge for race wins this season, and certainly be a regular podium finisher.”

Philippe Maloigne, driver Albatec Racing :

“I’m very proud and at the same time excited to be joining Albatec this year. The shakedown was brief, but it was enough to allow me the opportunity to sample the Peugeot 208 RX Supercar for the first time and work with a professional rallycross team. When considering my options for 2016 my main priority was to join a team that had performance capabilities and a good development programme, and naturally having a French team manager helped!

“I’m familiar with all the circuits we visit this year, with the exception of Mayenne, from racing in Super 1600 in 2014. Driving such a high performance car this season, I’m looking forward to returning to the tracks I know, and the challenge of a new one. The biggest challenge however in moving up from Super 1600s to Supercars, will be making the step from learner to hopefully winner, as soon as possible. I have high expectations, and I’d certainly like to be on the championship podium, and to perform well enough during 2016 that I can be a contender in Euro RX next year.”