Höljes, Sweden — Sunday 6 July, 2014: Albatec Racing’s Jacques Villeneuve did exactly what he promised yesterday and powered his two litre 16v Peugeot 208 to a comfortable heat win during round five of the FIA World Rallycross Championship at Höljes this morning. However as predicted the French-Canadian was unable to challenge for the overall fastest time despite the strong showing.
Following Saturday’s crash, which broke the right front suspension and caused a puncture, Jacques vowed to open his account with a win today, and from pole took a comfortable victory to keep alive his hopes of progressing to the semi finals.
Although a tall order after the slower heat yesterday cost him around 30 seconds, the former Indycar World Series Champion was in determined mood ahead of the final qualifier. Another good start allowed him to push the leaders into turn one, and electing to take his joker on the opening lap, Jacques lost a little time and resumed in fourth. The format of the day once again though meant that the following races were faster, dropping Jacques down the overall order.
With a staggering 38 Supercars in the World RX of Sweden field, the chances of progressing to the six car final were understandably slim. However a solid start to his debut season in rallycross, which has netted the fastest single lap in Norway, and numerous race wins for both Jacques and Andy Scott, now leaves the Lochfoot-based team more determined than ever to get among the front runners and challenge for its maiden World RX outright win.
The team will be back in action this coming weekend in round six of the series, at the new Jules Tacheny Circuit, Mettet, with will see the return of British Rallycross Vice Champion Andy to race action aboard the #26 Albatec Peugeot 208.
Andy Scott, Team Principal and Driver, Albatec Racing:
“I’m disappointed not to have gone through as after Jacques’ results yesterday I fully believe he had the potential to do so, and he started off in the best possible way, with a race win. However although he set a quick pace and was up at the front for much of the opening heats, the last two race times improved considerably, dropping him down the order. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the nature of rallycross, you need speed but also consistency across all four heats, and his crash yesterday ultimately cost him and the team a chance of progressing.
“Looking ahead to Mettet this weekend, we’ll be back to two Peugeot 208s, which naturally doubles our chances. The tracks during the second half of the season should suit Jacques, being more tarmac based, and collectively we are determined that at least one car will make it through to the semi finals in Belgium.”
Jacques Villeneuve, Driver, Albatec Racing #25:
“I knew yesterday it would be tough to progress after the damage we sustained in heat two, but nevertheless it’s always good to beat the others to the flag. It’s just a shame that I didn’t get such a good joker, and lost around a second and a half, which may have contributed to the slower overall race time. That aside, I don’t think we were quite quick enough today, but we are definitely going in the right direction, and looking ahead to the next race I think it should suit me well, as should all the tracks in the second half of the year.
“The crash yesterday really damaged our chances this weekend, and all it takes is one bad race to ruin it. But it’s the same for everyone, I just need to come back faster and stronger in Belgium.”
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