US boy Tanner Foust makes the SuperCar class of the 2012 ERC opener at Lydden his, “Juspe” Leppihalme wins the Super1600 category ahead of his team mate “Mister Baby Blue” Bakkerud, and Anton Marklund claims victory of the TouringCar campaigners.

American ‘Rockstar’ driver, Tanner Foust claims round one of the 2012 FIA European Rallycross Championship. Foust dominated an extremely wet A final at Lydden Hill, Norwegian, Mats Lysen finished in second place, with home driver Liam Doran fighting his way up from the B final to claim the last podium position. Tanner Foust led the A final from the start, storming off the line and gaining valuable ground. The American drove faultlessly, eventually opting to take the Joker Lap, and exiting in front with ease. Foust crossed the line alone, but the battle for the remaining podium positions had been fiercely fought. Andy Scott, who started on the front row, was unable to capitalise on good results throughout the weekend. Scott was caught up in contact on the first bend, forcing him wide on Chesson’s Drift. Liam Doran wisely chose to enter the Joker Lap section first, upon the start. Doran fought hard, eventually passing Stecka Walfridsson and Jean-Luc Pailler to find himself in third position, holding on to cross the line.

Foust seemed delighted to have bagged a first round win. “I was really nervous before this weekend, after not doing that much racing in the break. First practice session did not got too well yesterday, but the team worked to get the car setup just right, in these wet wet conditions. This is a great confidence boost, and a great win for the team,” commented Tanner Foust.

In the Super1600 class, a Set Promotion one/two was gained by Jussi-Petteri Leppihalme and Andreas Bakkerud. Like Foust in the SuperCars, Leppihalme dominated his A final race. Team mate Andreas Bakkerud also got away well, and the pair drove well throughout the final. Leppihalme held on to his lead crossing the line in front of his team mate and ahead of Polish driver Krzysztof Skorupski and Dane Ulrik Linnemann, who finished outside of the podium.

Anton Marklund claimed the TouringCar’s A final. The Swedish Fiesta driver had to battle hard to beat close challengers, Roman Častoral and Derek Tohill. The Czech eventually finished in second position, with Irishman Tohill gaining the last podium position.