Albatec Racing announces Belgian Michaël De Keersmaecker in two-car RallycrossRX line-up from the second European round in Montalegre, Portugal.

Albatec Racing, the new FIA European Rallycross Championship team is delighted to announce the signing of Michaël De Keersmaecker to complete its two-car Albatec Peugeot 208 line-up from the second round of RallycrossRX in Portugal next month. The Belgian joins the team boasting an enviable CV in Rallycross. A former multiple Belgian, Dutch and European Vice Champion, European class Champion in 2007 and 2008, and fifth overall in last year’s ERC SuperCar class, the 33 year-old from Londerzeel is widely celebrated as one of the fastest Rallycross drivers, bringing a wealth of experience to the fledgling team.

Making his Rallycross debut in 1999 at the wheel of a Peugeot 106, De Keersmaecker clinched the European Vice-Champion crown the very next year. Dovetailing his Rallycross career with a successful foray into touring cars and sports cars, he won his class in the 2008 Spa 24 Hours, before returning to his Rallycross roots in 2009. De Keersmaecker joins Albatec Racing on the eve of the team’s debut RallycrossRX outing at the renowned home of Rallycross, Lydden Hill, Kent. From the Portuguese round in April, the established racer will line-up alongside Albatec Racing Team Principal and lead driver Andy Scott, as they bid for SuperCar glory in the re-branded, IMG-run RallycrossRX series.

Michaël De Keersmaecker, JDK Albatec Peugeot 208 #9:

“I’m delighted to be joining Albatec Racing to contest the 2013 RallycrossRX and to bring my sponsor JDK to the team. Naturally I’m disappointed not to be driving at Lydden Hill, however I will be there to meet all the Albatec Racing crew ahead of my team debut next month. Although the team is new, I’m certain that it will quickly establish itself as a front runner, and I am delighted to be joining at such an early stage of its development. I’m also very happy to be racing alongside Andy Scott, who is undoubtedly one of the quickest drivers out there, so I’m sure that as a team we can get up to speed very quickly and can look forward to some good results in the season ahead.”

Marc Laboulle, Albatec Racing Team Manager:

“Michaël is without doubt one of the fastest Rallycross racers out there with a fine pedigree stretching across many years of racing. He’s a quick, competent driver, with a lot of Rallycross miles under his belt. I’m sure that racing alongside Andy, the Albatec Racing team now has two of the strongest and most committed drivers in Rallycross who are both capable of battling for honours on the RX podium. Naturally Michaël has yet to drive our Albatec Peugeot 208, however I’m confident that he will quickly be up to speed, with a scheduled test prior to the Portugal round expected next month.”

Photo: Michaël De Keersmaecker pictured on RallycrossRX launch day at Lydden Circuit. © QBA/ERC24