Maloigne and Albatec take fourth in Rallycross France standings

allycross France at Lessay this weekend. Driving his SamShield-backed Peugeot 208 RX Supercar, Philippe was consistently in the top three all weekend and although damage to his car prevented him from making it to the final, he claimed fourth in the championship standings in his first full season in Supercars.

A strong start in practice on Saturday morning saw the Frenchman fourth fastest ahead of the four qualifying races. In Q1, Philippe took the lead at the start of his race, and recorded a comfortable race win and the fourth fastest overall race time. In Q2 amongst a fiercely competitive field Philippe finished fourth, while the overall race was marginally slower, putting him seventh overall.

Sunday warm-up went off without any problems for the former motocross racer, posting the fourth fastest time before heading into the penultimate qualifying race. In that, another easy race win netted the third fastest overall race time. In the fourth and final race, again up against the main championship contenders, a strong performance allowed him to take third, and with it the third fastest time to comfortably allow him to progress to the semi-finals.

Starting from the front row for semi-final A, Philippe made a superb start to take the immediate lead, which he extended over the opening two laps. Going into lap three however, a small, rare error resulted in contact with a concrete wall and ripped off his left rear wheel, forcing him out on the spot and bringing his weekend to a premature end.

Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :

“It’s so disappointing for Philippe after a great season to be denied the chance of fighting for victory in the last race, and the opportunity of finishing in the top three in the championship. He’s shown himself to be a consistently fast racer all season, and Lessay was no exception. He was quick throughout the qualifying races, regularly in the top three, and a serious challenger for victory.

“Unfortunately a small mistake in hitting concrete wall, where there is no room for error, meant his race was over. But it will make him stronger, it’s only his first full season in Supercars and I’ve been very impressed with how he’s handled himself all year, in both dry and difficult wet conditions, against some of the toughest opposition out there. He will I’m sure be a genuine contender for the title next year.”

Philippe Maloigne, driver Albatec Racing #21 :

“I’m a little disappointed not to reach the final, particularly as it’s for the second successive race, as I really believe we had the potential this weekend to come away with another good result. In the semi-final I made a good start and was first into turn one despite a little fight with Andrea [Dubourg]. I was fast over the first two laps, but then I slowed a little to preserve the tyres and made a little mistake in a left hand, second gear corner which put me onto the dust for the following right had bend and into the wall that separates the track from the joker. The contact ripped off the left rear wheel and that was the end of my race.

“On a positive note, I was very happy with the car; we had great pace all weekend, the set-up was good, the atmosphere in the team is great, and my confidence and starts are improving all the time. I need to learn from my mistakes, as that will make me stronger for next year.”


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