Just a week after securing a podium finish in Euro RX at Mettet, Albatec Racing returns to French RX action this weekend, in round two of the French Rallycross Championship at Chateauroux. Last time out Philippe Maloigne at the wheel of the #21 Peugeot 208 RX Supercar demonstrated his potential with a determined drive to sixth place in the final and posted the third fastest lap of the weekend.
The Frenchman is relatively inexperienced compared to the rest of the high quality entry, but on his first competitive run in the 600bhp two litre, 16v supercar posted the third fastest time in practice before overcoming changeable weather and track conditions to progress to his first Final.
This weekend the former motocross racer will be determined to continue that form into round two, as he hopes to steer his 600bhp Peugeot to a podium finish. One of the shortest rallycross tracks on the schedule, Chateauroux is just 981 metres long and features a 70%/30% split across gravel and tarmac.
For Albatec the event marks a rapid turnaround and re-preparation of the car following the opening race in Belgium, where a consistent performance netted four qualifying race wins, victory in the semi-final, and second place in the final, to take the joint championship lead.
Free practice in Chateauroux this weekend gets underway at 09.45-12.45 tomorrow (Saturday), followed by the first and second qualifying races at 13.30 and 18.30. Sunday continues with warm-up at 08.00, with the third and fourth races at 09.00 and 12.00. The semi-finals and finals take place from 13.45. All times CEST.
Andy Scott, Team Principal Albatec Racing :
“We head to Chateauroux full of confidence after a very promising start to our Euro RX campaign, and very optimistic of helping Philippe to achieve his ambition of securing a podium finish this weekend. Last time out he showed great potential and speed, and by his own admission he’s learning all the time.
“I believe he will get stronger and stronger as the season progresses, and if the opening round is anything to go by, I fully expect he’ll be able to deliver the result both the car and Philippe are capable of. It’s been a busy time re-prepping the Peugeot since Belgium, but I have every faith in the team’s ability to produce a race-winning car, and in Philippe to underline his undoubted speed and ability and get a good result.”
Philippe Maloigne, driver Albatec Racing :
“We learned a lot during the first race in Essay, about my driving as well as the car set up so I feel that I will arrive stronger and more prepared for round two at Chateauroux. I will look to get a strong qualifying position, which we didn’t have in Essay, in order to target a podium finish.
“The team had a good result in the opening round of EuroRX, which proved that the car is capable of victory, but I never doubted that. Now the driver of the car in French RX needs to improve so the pairing can win in the future!
“I know the Chateauroux track, it’s quite small, perhaps a little bit too small to take advantage of our engine power, but most importantly it’s a track I like and appreciate.”
