Round 1 - Essay-Alençon (France)

The European Rallycross Championship 2005 started yesterday in France. In sunny and dry conditions and in front of 30000 spectators this openings race of the Championship was an exiting one with a well known winner…  It was twelve times European Rallycross Champion Kenneth Hansen (Citroën Xsara WRC) who won Division 1.  It was victory number 63 in his career!!!  And it wasn’t an easy one, Hansen won the race with! a rear flat tyre!!! Hansen beated Isachen (Ford Focus WRC) and Jernberg (Ford Focus WRC).  Hansen started on pole, took a flying start and took the lead.  Hansen increased his lead lap by lap but in the fourth lap he took a kerbstone a bit too heavy and he punctured his right rear wheel.  There where two laps to go and the race ended in an exiting battle between Hansen and Isachen.  Hansen finally beated Isachen, but it was very very close.

In Division 2 it was Belgian driver Mikaël De Keersmaeker (Honda Civic Type-R) who won the final after a turbulent race.  De Keersmaeker started on pole and immediately took the lead of the race.  In the second corner defending European Champion in Division 2, Jussi Pinomäki, and (Renault Clio RS) lost a wheel and Swedish driver Marcus Nilsson (Peugeot 206 RC) rolled his car.  The race was stopped.  In the second start, without Pinomäki and Nilsson, De Keersmaeker again took the best start ahead of Chartrain en Pailler.  De Keersmaeker wanted to win this race and took some risks.  Two times he drove on two wheels, but each time he knew to control his car the way that it should be and he managed to stay in front of the two French drivers.

Results

Division 1

1. K. Hansen (S) Citroën Xsara WRC 2. S. Isachsen (N) Ford Focus WRC 3. M. Jernberg (S) Ford Focus WRC 4. P. Koutny (F) Ford Focus WRC 5. L. Terroitin (F) Citroën Xsara WRC 6. G.Lindefjell (N) Ford Focus WRC

Division 2

1. M. De Keersmaecker (B) Honda Civic Type-R 2. L. Chartrain (F) Renault Clio RS 3. M. Pailler (F) Peugeot 206 RC 4. R. Castoral (CZ) Opel Astra GSi 16V OPC 5. J. Pinomäki (SF) Renault Clio RS 6. M. Nilsson (S) Peugeot 206 RC

Division 1 A

1. R. Snoeck (NL) Seat Ibiza 16V 2. J. Kalny (CZ) Peugeot 206 S16 3. Z. Cermak (CZ) Skoda Fabia 4. D. Van Den Branden (B) Citroën Saxo VTS 16V 5. O. Nogeira (P) Citroën Saxo VTS 16V 6. K. Groblewski (Pol) VW Polo 16V

Standings European Rallycross Championship after heat 1

Division 1

1. K. Hansen 20 pts 2. S. Isachsen 17 pts 3. M. Jernberg 15 pts 4. G. Lindefjell 13 pts 5. P. Koutny 12 pts 6. L. Terroitin 11 pts

Division 2

1. M. De Keersmaecker 20 pts 2. L. Chartrain 17 pts 3. M. Pailler 15 pts 4. R. Castoral 13 pts 5. J. Pinomäki 12 pts 6. M. Nilsson 11 pts 

Division 1 A

1. R. Snoeck 20 pts 2. J. Kalny 17 pts 3. Z. Cermak 15 pts 4. D. Van Den Branden 13 pts 5. O. Nogeira 12 pts 6. K. Groblewski 11 pts

Calendar FIA European Rallycross Championship

07-08.05.2005  -  Essay-Alençon (F)14-15.05.2005  -  Lousada (P) 04-05.06.2005  -  Greinbach (A) 10-12.06.2005  -  Sosnova (CZ) 25-26.06.2005  -  Lyngås (N)01-03.07.2005  -  Höljesbanan (S)13-14.08.2005  -  Maasmechelen (B)20-21.08.2005  -  Valkenswaard (NL) 24-25.09.2005  -  Slomczyn (PL) 01-02.10.2005  -  Estering-Buxtehude (D