Second At Pembrey Strengthens Albatec’s BRX Title Bid
Pembrey, South Wales (UK) — Monday 10 May 2015; Albatec Racing extended its advantage at the top of the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group, with second place in round three at Pembrey, South Wales on Sunday. BritishRX Series leader Andy Scott, winner of the opening two rounds at Croft and Lydden Hill, looked set for a third consecutive victory aboard his Albatec Peugeot 208 Supercar, but after leading much of the six lap final, lost the lead on his joker lap to eventual winner and reigning champion Julian Godfrey.
The Supercar Final proved dramatic for Albatec’s latest signing James Grint too, the Hertfordshire racer making his debut in Wales ahead of his long-awaited EuroRX outing in the season-opener at Mettet, Belgium next weekend. A cracking series of three heats throughout the day saw the former rally man qualify seventh, lining up immediately behind Kevin Procter. At the lights Procter didn’t get the best getaway, leaving James nowhere to go as he launched his 600bhp 208RX off the line. Riding up onto two wheels and into the side of Procter’s stricken car, James was lucky to suffer minimal damage, and recovered to finish a very creditable fourth.
Amongst a quality entry at the 2.3km track near LLanelli, the Dumfries team immediately signalled its intentions with a quick pace in practice that saw James third fastest and Andy fifth. The first of the three qualifying heats saw the pair go head-to-head; Andy starting from row three, and James lining up at the front. A strong drive from James saw him take second across the line, with Andy suffering the effects of poor visibility in fifth, to place them third and sixth overall respectively.
Heat two saw the team-mates in separate races and delivered the first outright win of the day for former vice-champion Andy, but for James, a tap from another car pushed him into a costly spin, relegating him to ninth overall. The third and final heat pitched the duo together again and provided one of the most thrilling heats of the day. Lining up third, James immediately took the joker, rejoining in fourth while Andy led a three-car train. A racy performance by James allowed him to reel in the first three, who had all yet to take their slower lap, with Andy leaving his to the very last lap. With James closing rapidly, it was down to the championship leader to show the rookie the way, his experience allowing him to hold on to the win, just ahead of James to record an Albatec 1-2.
The RX150 Final also proved dramatic for Marc Scott who so nearly took his second successive victory after a day that netted two dominant heat wins, and second place to set up a pole start for the all-important Final. The double and reigning champion provided a masterclass in buggy racing, including an awesome start in his opening heat to leap from fifth to first into turn one to take a lights to flag victory. Beaten off the line in heat two, he trailed winner Chrissy Palmer, before redressing the order in the third and final heat.
In the six-lap final, a great start allowed him to lead into turn one, and for three laps he looked set for the win, until a spin at the hairpin allowed Palmer through. A stirring recovery over the closing laps saw him claw back the deficit, with just a second separating them at the flag.
Andy Scott, Albatec Racing driver and Team Principal:
“The Final was always going to be a tall order because Julian was very quick in the third heat, but there was always the chance that if I took a good start, which I did. If I’d taken my joker a lap before I could possibly have won, but it’s great for the championship. Only Julian has taken any points off me, and I have to be happy with two wins and a second from three rounds. The first heat was a disaster, starting from the third row, coming onto the gravel section I couldn’t see anything for dust, so I pulled to one side for safety, but for the other two I had a good grid position.
“James has been absolutely fantastic today, he displayed great maturity and speed and I think it’s been great grounding in preparing him for his European debut in Mettet this weekend. While Marc, like me, led for most of his final, it just wasn’t meant to be for him either, it just shows how competitive the championship is, which is good.”
James Grint, Albatec Racing driver:
“It’s been an amazing day, the car is incredibly quick and the team did a great job, so it’s given me confidence ahead of this weekend. In the final I made a good start, I saw Kevin get away but then I just had nowhere to go and the next minute I’m up on two wheels. Luckily there wasn’t too much damage and I was able to keep going.”
Marc Scott, Albatec Racing driver:
“I can’t really complain, I made a mistake and spun just coming onto the gravel at the hairpin and that cost me the win, but it’s been a good day otherwise, some good heats, it’s just so competitive this season. I managed to recover and make up some time and there’s still a long way to go in the series.”
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