Media Release: Andy Scott Encouraged By Finnish Victory

Kouvola, Finland – Sunday, September 23rd, 2012; Andy Scott continued to make great strides on his return to European rallycross action with a resounding heat two victory on his debut at the Kouvoula track in Finland. With fourth place finishes in the first and third heats Scott lined up on pole for the B Final and comfortably led three of the four laps, before a terminal steering issue on the very last lap knocked him out of contention.

Armed with his Tony Bardy Motorsport prepared-Ford Focus ST T16, free practice on Friday offered the first opportunity for the Scott Trawlers-backed racer to take to the track ahead of the timed session later that day. Quickly getting to grips with the Finnish circuit, Scott was consistently in the top ten to put himself in a strong position for a good result in the opening heat.

In fighting form for the penultimate round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship Scott salvaged fourth from the first heat, recovering well from a broken output flange on the rear differential, and knew that victory in the second heat would be vital to his chances of progressing further.

After a sterling overnight repair job by the team, Scott took his place for Sunday’s four-lap heat two. Taking the immediate lead he was never headed, to score a comfortable victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd, and claim the seventh fastest race time overall. In deteriorating weather conditions that favoured the reigning MSA British Rallycross Vice-Champion, Scott headed into the third and final heat looking for another strong finish to guarantee him a place in the finals. 

Another fourth place finish and seventh fastest race time earnt pole for his last chance of qualifying to the all-important A final and for most of the B Final the scallop trawlerman was in fine form, with a lightening start in his 550bhp 4x4 Focus putting him into the lead and within reach of delivering a double victory. 

For three laps, Scott held off the chasing pack and with just two drivers set to progress to the main race, looked set to comfortably qualify for the six-lap final. However, with just one lap remaining a steering issue dropped him to sixth, his chance of progressing to the main race over.

“Overall I’m pretty happy with our performance this weekend, although the results don’t necessarily reflect the pace we had’” said Scott. “Right from the outset the car was great, although we had the issue with the broken output flange on the rear differential, I think we proved once again our potential. We haven’t had a chance to look at the steering problem yet, but I’m pretty sure that was caused on the jump, which is pretty fierce."

-Ends-

Andy Scott Press Office:

Emma Spearing: +44 (0)7736 341828 | emma@hazelpr.com

Cathy Metcalfe: +44 (0)7802 332398 | cathy@hazelpr.com

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