Media Release: Albatec Racing Peugeot 208 Secures Heat Victory On RallycrossRX Debut

Lydden Hill, Kent (GB) – Monday 1 April, 2013: After impressive second and third places yesterday, Albatec Racing continued its sparkling debut event with victory in the third heat at Lydden Hill today. With just a few minor changes made to his 600bhp, two-litre, 16-valve Albatec Peugeot 208 in the morning warm-up, Andy Scott took to the grid for heat three alongside Liam Doran.

At the lights, Scott made the perfect start to get the jump on Doran, who clouted the bank on the exit of turn one, leaving Scott in a comfortable lead. On lap two, the Dumfries Scotsman took his joker lap, but clipped the kerb on the way, slightly damaging his steering. Despite that, Scott hung on to second behind a recovering Doran, but on the final lap, the leader slowed with a terminal turbo problem, allowing Scott to move ahead, and Albatec Racing to take its maiden heat win.

The final heat of the day saw Scott once again go head-to-head with Doran, joined by former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg and former Swedish Champion Stig-Olov Walfridson. A scintillating start allowed Scott to power away into a comfortable lead, however on lap two, the Peugeot was pitched off the track, suffering right front damage, which dropped him to fourth.

His combined heat times however, earnt him a place in the 12-place battle for the two semi final places, from which the top three from each graduate to the all-important six-car final. Joining Timmy Hansen, Tanner Foust, Jussi-Petteri Leppihalme, Petter Solberg and Henning Solberg on the grid, Scott made a clean getaway, and when both Solbergs took to the joker lap, he moved up into fourth. However a puncture suffered during a battle with Petter Solberg in the closing stages saw him drop to sixth, and ended his chances of securing a place in the Final.

Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Driver car #26:

“Overall I think we have to take a lot of positives from the weekend. The Albatec Peugeot 208 was on very good form, the team worked together really well and did a fantastic job to repair the damage we sustained in the two heats this morning, so it’s great to have that rewarded with a place in the semi finals. From the start position I had, you can’t see anything because of the dust, and I picked up a puncture at the hairpin when I passed Petter (Solberg), so we weren’t able to finish the job.

“Looking ahead to Portugal and with more time in the car, I think we’ll be there. I think we have proved as a team that we are more than a match for the more established teams and the Albatec Peugeot 208 has proved its potential to be a front-runner, mixing it up at the front from our very first weekend.”

Marc Laboulle, Albatec Racing Team Manager:

“I’m very happy with the performance this weekend of the whole team, the Albatec Peugeot 208 and of Andy. The car performed impeccably all weekend, naturally we had some damage to repair, but the team did a great job in making those repairs in time. The Albatec Peugeot 208 has proved itself as a leading contender for race wins and Andy was able to battle hard with some very experienced drivers such as Solberg. 

“The team has been pulled together in just over four months and naturally we have had limited track time before coming to Lydden Hill, but I think immediately we have shown ourselves to be a professional, competitive team with a great package, so I am looking forward to continued success during the season.”

-Ends-

Albatec Racing Press Office:

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

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

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