STRONG FIELD FOR THIRD ROUND OF EUROPEAN AUTOCROSS AS ACADEMY TROPHY DEBUTS

The third round of the 2021 FIA European Autocross Championship takes place at Saint Georges de Montaigu, France this weekend July 17-18 with five categories on the event schedule and featuring over 100 competitors.

The event, which will have some spectator presence, will stage the launch of the FIA European Crosscar Championship after a 12-month delay due to health and safety restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the debut of the brand-new Cross Car Academy Trophy.

The Cross Car Academy Trophy creates a level playing field with identical 75hp equipment for all competitors which has cost-control as a key consideration. It is designed to prepare young drivers from 13 to 16 for Off-Road and Rally competition.

The TN05 Cross Cars are prepared and maintained by Life Live, the company founded by FIA World Rally Championship driver Thierry Neuville and his support team.

“The Cross Car Academy Trophy is the first important step on the journey for youngsters with ambitions of carving out a career in Off-Road racing. The FIA is delighted that competition can finally start for these young drivers supported by their ASNs,” Benoit Dupont, the FIA’s Off-Road Category Manager, said.

In the Super Buggy class, a tight battle is expected between the leading three contenders in the championship standings, France’s Vincent Mercier (57 points), Latvia’s Ervins Grencis and Jakub Kubicek of the Czech Republic, both tied on 56 points.

In the Buggy1600 category, Timo Pahler will look to build on his impressive 69 points from the first two rounds. He can expect a strong challenge from the Czech Republic’s Jakub Novotny who lies second on 53 points.

The Junior Buggy competition looms as a contest between championship leader Styn Jaspers of the Netherlands and his closest pursuer Daniel Pytloun of the Czech Republic.