The Swede Mattias Ekstrom is leading the World RX Supercars after the first day of round eight at the legendary Loheac circuit in Brittany.
The first day of qualifying is over. Mattias Ekstrom has taken the day one lead in the small Breton village of Loheac.
Ekstrom leading from Bakkerud and Hansen in Q2. © JKR/ERC24
In Q1, the Swede set the fastest time – setting the pace; marginally quicker than local hero Sebastien Loeb.
As expected Loeb received rousing home support. Loeb secured the win in the last race – the Frenchman beating Solberg to the finish line. Petter Solberg whose team have worked around the clock over the past few weeks to have his car finished second to Loeb in their Q1 race and was classified as sixth overall.
Day one qualifying complete. Local hero Loeb tight on Ekstrom. © JKR/ERC24
Q1 Results:
1. Mattias Ekström
2. Sébastien Loeb
3. Andreas Bakkerud
4. Timmy HANSEN
5. Ken BLOCK
6. Petter SOLBERG
Frenchman Davy Jeanney finished seventh fastest with Toomas Heikkinen making up the top eight, with Johan Kristoffersson and Robin Larsson also making it into the top ten.
Perhaps the story of the morning involved the inform Russian competitor Timur Timerzyanov. Timur had looked sharp in the early practice session, securing second fastest. However, contact with Le Jossec during the circuit’s second corner all but ended his chances of capitalising on his ‘pacey’ early lap times.
Timerzyanov walks away following Q1 crash. © JKR/ERC24
In the Super1600 – Kasparas Navickas took Q1 from Josef Susta and ‘Luigi’.
In Q2 – Ekstrom was able to hold his lead. The Swede drove in the fastest time of 02:33.436. Andreas Bakkerud finished second following a late surge in Q1. The Norwegian is so far proving that he has what it takes to stay in the fight for the World RX championship title. Euro RX championship leader Kevin Hansen has continued to impress, when pitted against the top drivers. The Swede drove in a third fastest time. Brother Timmy also excelled in Q2 – proving that sibling rivalry is a healthy aspect of Team Peugeot-Hansen. Homeboy Loeb built on his second-place finish in Q1 with a sixth fastest in Q2 that leaves him in a comfortable position heading into day two.
Andreas Bakkerud has continued his excellent form in Loheac. © JKR/ERC24
1. Mattias EKSTRÖM
2. Andreas BAKKERUD
3. Kevin HANSEN
4. Timmy HANSEN
5. Janis BAUMANIS
6. Sébastien LOEB
Top Six after day one…
1. Mattias EKSTRÖM
2. Andreas BAKKERUD
3. Sébastien LOEB
4. Timmy HANSEN
5. Ken BLOCK
6. Toomas HEIKKINEN
It was all change at the top of the second session of qualifying for the Super1600’s. Krisztian Szabo took the session from Ulrik Linnemanna and Maximilien Eveno.
Day two action underway first thing tomorrow morning.