Albatec Racing has confirmed British rally and rallycross driver James Grint alongside Frenchman Jérôme Grosset-Janin in its 2015 FIA European Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy line-up. The 24 year-old who tested with the team in Dreux, alongside former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve last year, will drive the second two-litre 16v Peugeot 208RX Supercar in the five round championship.
James, the younger brother of Rupert Grint (Ronald Weasley of Harry Potter fame), successfully completed several runs at the French track last January, before embarking on a season in the British Rallycross Championship RX150 class. A regular contender in buggies, the Hertfordshire driver will commence testing within the next few weeks, prior to the first round of EuroRX at Mettet, Belgium on May 15-17.
James’ first introduction to rallying was testing a Mitsubishi Evo 5 during which he immediately showed his potential, before beginning a rally career that netted first overall in the Essex Charity Stages in his debut season. In 2010 he clinched the BTRDA Group A title before moving into the British Rally Championship in 2012 piloting a Citroen DS3 R3 rally car to consistently top times, whilst gaining experience in the tremendously competitive championship.
In 2013, James moved into rallycross with an impressive debut at the end-of-season British Rallycross Grand Prix at Croft, where he powered his RX150 to a maiden outright victory. During 2014, James was invited to join Villeneuve and Team Principal Andy Scott at Dreux, where he immediately impressed the team, and sparked his ambition to drive competitively one of the team’s 600bhp Supercars.
With a two-car team already confirmed in the MSA British Rallycross Championship in association with the Shannon Group, alongside the two-car entry into EuroRX, Albatec now looks forward to announcing its plans for the FIA World Rallycross Championship within the next few weeks.
Andy Scott, Team Principal, Albatec Racing :
“I am extremely pleased to have James joining us at Albatec, he did a great job in Dreux last year on only his first time in the car and adapted very quickly to the demands of a 600bhp RX Supercar. I think it was only a matter of time before he became part of the Albatec team and between him and Jérôme I think we have the perfect combination of drivers.
“It’s great to have both British and European line-ups completed, and we’ve even more news to follow concerning WorldRX and indeed the RX150 series in the coming weeks.”
James Grint, driver, Albatec Racing :
“I am very excited to be part of the Albatec Racing team this year. I’m looking forward to taking on the FIA European Rallycross Championship, and I can’t think of a better team than Albatec to take me into Europe for this new and exciting phase of my career.
“This is going to be a massive year for me stepping up in to Supercars but this is a great opportunity for me too. I was lucky enough to test with the team in France last year and now I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the Albatec Peugeot 208. I’m really looking forward to taking on this challenge.”
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