JC Raceteknik second at Estering – Larsson maintains European Championship lead
The historic Estering circuit in Germany hosted round four of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, where JC Raceteknik and Swedish driver Robin Larsson continued a run of 100% podium appearances in the series this season.
Following three wins in a row in Great Britain, Norway and Sweden, at events that included “hat-tricks” for the Audi S1 squad (by topping qualifying and winning the semi-final and final), Larsson was again strong in Germany. He was fastest after the first day, and was top of the Intermediate Classification before winning his semi-final, in changeable wet and slippery conditions. However, starting from the slippery pole position in the final, Larsson was second after the first corner and held the same position over the finish line.
The Swede collected 27 important points for the championship, and now leads with a 22 point margin over second.
The next event on the calendar will be this weekend, as RallyX Nordic heads to Kouvola in Finland. JC Raceteknik’s Ben-Philip Gundersen leads the Supercar Lites class, with Sondre Evjen third and Jimmie Walfridson sixth. Larsson is second in Supercar. The next round of Euro RX and RX2 will take place just a week later at Loheac in France (August 31-September 1).
Joel Christoffersson, Team Principal:
“It's been a good weekend for us. Robin had good speed from the start and was the fastest driver in qualifying. But on a track like this, which becomes extremely challenging when it is wet, the starts are incredibly important. This meant a lot of work for our engineers and mechanics, and also challenges for Robin. Unfortunately, the starts were not perfect. We already knew beforehand that it would be difficult to start from pole on this track, and it was only for Robin to make the best of the situation. He and Thomas [Bryntesson, winner] were very even in the final, and apart from a small mistake from Robin on lap two, it was a tight race. It feels great that we were able to pick up many important points here this weekend and we are coming to France with the goal of securing further European points. Loheac is a track that suits us, and we look forward to that event.”
Supercar: Robin Larsson (SWE) :
“It feels frustrating that I couldn't do more in the final. The pace has not been bad, but I have struggled with very slippery surface start on the start. Today's weather meant that I couldn't attack in the same way as Saturday and instead most of us slipped around the track. In the final, Bryntesson drove really well and despite the fact that we had consistent pace, he made the best of it at the start. Everything is down to such small margins and it’s nice for him that they were on his side this time, considering what happened to him in Holjes. Me and the team did the best we could this weekend."
"We picked almost maximum points here and with two rounds left I lead the championship. Until this weekend, the European Championship season had gone perfectly, so I think this second place will only make me even more hungry for the next race. Now I focus on RallyX Nordic and Finland. After having a hard time in that championship, I'm really pumped and I will make sure to be on the pace already during first practice. "
