American OlsbergsMSE driver Tanner Foust wins the 2013 RallycrossRX opener at Lydden Hill in Great Britain and gains a second consecutive European round win at the Kent circuit near Dover.
Tanner Foust claimed the SuperCar final in the first round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship. The American Rockstar Energy driver proved that he is still a force to reckoned with in European Rallycross. This is the American’s second consecutive win at the circuit in Great Britain, producing a convincing performance and outright start to finish win in the SuperCar final. Foust started the six car final from pole position and battled into the first corner outmuscling Timur Timerzyanov, Davy Jeanney and race favourite Timmy Hansen. Hansen, who performed consistently well all weekend, started next to Foust on the front row although was beaten to Chessons Drift. Timerzyanov threatened to challenge Foust’s lead early on, but a puncture soon hindered his car’s performance. Foust held on after his terrific start, and by then Timmy Hansen had dropped back leaving the American out of his grasp.
In just his first SuperCar event, Jussi-Petteri Leppihalme’s performance was perhaps an example of the weekend’s biggest success story. The Finn progressed through the heats, and grabbed the last position on the podium in the semi-final, beaten only by Hansen and Foust. In the final Leppihalme held his nerve to finish behind Foust, and has clearly learnt the ropes of his SuperCar very quickly.
Davy Jeanney claimed third position in the final, but has since been disqualified from the final and made sixth overall. The Frenchman drove well in the final, but officials judged his car to have breached official regulation. The C4 was said to have used under-car protection that was over-weight. Timmy Hansen was thus classified as third.
In the Super1600 class, Ulrik Linnemann bagged a surprise victory. The Dane finished second in his semi-final and started on the second row behind Eric Färén who had dominated the class most of the weekend, and Set Promotion driver Ildar Rakhmatullin. Linnemann moved up the ranks through the final eventually finishing ahead of Vadim Makarov and Eric Färén
Derek Tohill held on to his early lead in the TouringCar final. David Nordgård started on pole position but didn’t make it off the line after his clutch broke on the grid. Robin Larsson challenged, although Tohill’s lines were too strong, and the Irishman continued to shut the door on the young Swede. Long-serving Astra campaigner, Roman Častoral claimed a well-deserved third position.
Monday, as it happened:
The final day of of the first round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship got underway with a 9AM warm-up session.
All SuperCars got out on to circuit, many testing out the new adjustments that their teams worked on through the night.
Norwegian Monster Energy driver Andreas Bakkerud started the day with an air of confidence: “The team worked hard last night to make some changes to the car to better suit my driving and I hope I can get a good result today,” claimed Bakkerud.
Fellow countryman Alexander Hvaal pushed hard in the session, even beating teammate Timmy Hansen to fastest lap time. Hansen dominated yesterday driving clean and tidy laps. The young Swede looked confident again in the warm-up and hopes to continue his progress through the event. “Yesterday went better than we could have expected and I am very pleased with my speed, for sure I am feeling really happy and excited to get back out there today,” said Hansen junior to ERC24.
Petter Solberg made it out last to the warm-up session alongside local driver Pat Doran. The Solberg team also worked hard through the night to make changes to his all new DS3. Solberg said: “After the problems we had yesterday I couldn’t believe it when the driveshaft broke in the first heat: there was nothing I could do. Everyone can be sure that as usual we’ll be giving it 110% today.”
During the second heats, Tanner Foust was back on top at Lydden Hill, securing fastest time in a triumphant battle against Sunday’s leader Timmy Hansen and reigning champion Timur Timerzyanov. Davy Jeanney drove in second fastest, the French C4 driver won his race narrowly, although went faster than both Anton Marklund and Timmy Hansen. Andreas Bakkerud secured fifth fastest with a well won first race.
Petter Solberg faced yet more trouble in his return to Rallycross. ‘Mr Hollywood’ got off to a great start matching Tanner Foust and Timmy Hansen to Chessons Drift, although drifted wide has a edged in front of Foust. The Norwegian Rally star limped back to paddock.
Timmy Hansen continued to impress, this time facing off against his teammate Timerzyanov. Speaking to the Hansen Motorsport team, they retained that Timmy’s speed is due to his track racing experience, and the quality of his lines into corners.
Non-finishers included Petter Solberg, Julian Godfrey, Ronny Scheveneels and both local drivers: Pat and Liam Doran. The former gained an early puncture, whilst Liam Doran’s car was involved with a tussle with Andy Scott.
The FIA European Rallycross Championship continues in Portugal in a months time.
More photos to be found in our ERC24 Gallery here.
Note: If you like this story please LIKE this story! 
(Find ‘Like’ button above, below title of story.)
LINKS TO STATISTICS:
Official Final Results for ‘SuperCars’ here.
Official Final Results for ‘Super1600s’ here.
Official Final Results for ‘TouringCars’ here.
