Scotland-based team Albatec Racing has announced the plan to run its two Peugeot 208 SuperCars in the British Rallycross Championship. One car will be raced by Rallycross returnee Mark Flaherty, in 1992 one of the leading ERC drivers.
Albatec Racing will field two almost 600bhp strong Peugeot 208 SuperCars in the 2015 MSA British Rallycross Championship. The Dumfries-based team, which contested both the European and World Championships over the last two years, made the occasional outing in the British series too, consistently setting the pace and notching up numerous heat and overall race wins.
No stranger to the British series, Team Principal and 2011 Vice-Champion Andy Scott will spearhead the team’s bid in all eight rounds of the championship, starting with the opening race at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on March 15, with fellow Briton Mark Flaherty making a return to full-time competition after a 20-year sabbatical, taking the second seat from round two onwards. The full MSA British Rallycross Championship dates are: March 15 Croft; April 6 Lydden Hill; May 10 Pembrey; June 27 Mondello Park (IRL); June 28 Mondello Park (IRL); July 19 Pembrey; August 31 Lydden Hill; October 10 Croft.
Such is the popularity of Rallycross, the MSA British Rallycross Championship looks set to have its strongest entry for many years, and the two-car entry from Albatec is sure to be a massive boost to the organisers as the championship returns to full strength. This decision however does not mean that Albatec has foregone its EuroRX and WorldRX participation, with a further announcement expected soon confirming its plans for international competition.
Andy Scott, Team Principal and driver Albatec Racing:
“Rallycross is arguably the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world which is evidenced by the number and calibre of drivers who have approached us for 2015. With interest in contesting the British, European and World Championships, we’ve been talking to drivers from around the globe, with even an ex-F1 driver among them. This has naturally required some careful consideration before deciding on our plans for 2015, and I’m delighted to confirm the first phase of those plans; a two-car team in the MSA British Rallycross Championship. I’m delighted to welcome Mark to Albatec, he’s certainly got the experience, albeit in Group B, but his record speaks for itself and I relish the prospect of working alongside him this season. I personally have unfinished business in Britain, and I’m aiming to go one better than in 2011 when I just missed the title. This is not the end of the team’s European or World RX challenge, just the first phase of our exciting plans for 2015, and we expect to be making further announcements very shortly.”
In 1992 Mark Flaherty, here pictured in Portugal, raced his MG Metro 6R4 Group B monster in nine of the eleven ERC rounds. © EL/ERC24
Mark Flaherty, driver Albatec Racing:
“I’m extremely excited to be joining Andy and Albatec Racing for a full campaign on the British Rallycross Championship. The team has shown its commitment to Rallycross and is arguably one of the most high profile teams in the sport, having attracted the likes of Jacques Villeneuve and Mika Salo into the car. The chance to drive the car driven by Jacques is certainly an interesting prospect! I visited the workshops and was very impressed with the team’s facilities, its dedication and professionalism, while the high standard of preparation and the rebuild and updates currently in progress for the Peugeot 208 in my mind means it should be a very competitive car. Andy and I have a lot in common, and our programmes for 2015 seem to suit well, so I’m looking forward to a successful season with them, and whilst acknowledging that I’ll miss the opening round, I’ll be going all out to win that title.”