Frenchman Davy Jeanney claimed Round 7 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Canada, after a lights-to-flag victory at the wheel of his Team Peugeot-Hansen prepared Peugeot 208 SuperCar. The two Marklund Motorsport team-mates Finn Toomas Heikkinen and American Tanner Foust finished second and third respectively in a pair of VW Polo Mk5 SuperCars.

In a twist of fate, Championship leader Petter Solberg failed to qualify for the Final for the first time since Rallycross became an FIA World Championship at the start of 2014. Nevertheless, the SDRX driver continues to lead the Drivers’ Championship by 46 points after collecting another 17 points from the Intermediate Classification and his fourth place in Semi-Final 1. Meanwhile Jeanney’s win for Team Peugeot-Hansen sees the Swedish-based squad move just two points shy of Ford OMSE who lead the Teams’ Championship.

Team Peugeot-Hansen was top notch in Canada and took home 45 points for the team standings. © JKR/ERC24

Timmy Hansen ruled the qualifying heats in Trois-Rivières, but got lost early in Semi-Final 1. © JKR/ERC24

“After my victory in Buxtehude [Germany], I told myself that I had to do it again – I just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly,” grinned Jeanney, who is also awarded the coveted Monster Energy Super Charge Award for his rapid start off the line. “Even though I won, it was a really difficult weekend for me: I couldn’t find a good rhythm during the heats and I wasn’t happy with my starts off the line. For the Semi-Final, I improved my times each lap and my confidence grew. I feel sorry for Timmy, he was the top qualifier after the heats and he did a brilliant job. Hopefully he can come back fighting stronger and take a win in Norway.”

Runner-up Heikkinen spoke of similar difficulties during the heats: “It’s been a tough weekend, this track is really technical and doesn’t allow for any mistakes,” admitted Topi. “We had a few mechanical problems on the first day and nothing seemed to be going right for us. Today everything felt much better and by the fourth heat we were fourth quickest. I stayed out of trouble in the Semi-Final and managed to get on the second row for the Final, which gave me a good start. It feels good to be on the podium again.”

Trois-Rivières was fully prepared for the second arrival of the WorldRX regulars. © JKR/ERC24

American Tanner Foust made it to the Final in neighbouring Canada and eventually to another podium. © JKR/ERC24

American Top Gear presenter Tanner Foust made it a double podium for Marklund Motorsport. Foust – who won the Finnish RX round last year – struggled to get to grips with the Polo on Day 1, but dramatically improved his pace ahead of Saturday’s Final. “The full-time drivers are so quick and there’s a heck of a lot of talented drivers in World RX. It took me a bit of time but by the Final everything was feeling good. I’m just delighted to be on the podium and it’s even better to be here sitting alongside Topi who is my team-mate this weekend.”

Arguably the most impressive drive of the weekend, however, was that of Tommy Rustad who made his debut with the ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Team.  Swapping his regular Polo Mk5 for an Audi S3, Rustad won his Semi-Final and saw the Münnich Motorsport team qualify for its first ever Final. “I felt like I’d won the lottery after winning my semi race,” beamed Rustad, who is currently second in Euro RX which resumes in Norway later this month. “The first time I drove the Audi was yesterday and to reach the Final is a bonus. The team have done a brilliant job – they are very professional and it’s been a joy working with them.”

Reigning World Champion Petter Solberg had fun before the racing… © JKR/ERC24

…but was troubled in the event and eventually missed his first WRX Final so far. © JKR/ERC24

Rounding off the Top 5 was Ford Olsbergs MSE driver Andreas Bakkerud who is the only driver to have reached every Final in World RX this year. The Norwegian’s consistency sees the driver move ahead of Johan Kristoffersson to sit second in the overall standings now. Bakkerud’s team-mate Reinis Nitišs was knocked out of the Semi-Finals after colliding with Timmy Hansen and breaking his car’s suspension. EKS driver Mattias Ekström was on course for a Top 3 finish, but spun his Audi S1 SuperCar during the Final. Britain’s leading Rallycross driver Liam Doran, who partners Solberg in the SDRX team, failed to make the Semi-Finals following various mechanical gremlins.

Norwegian Tommy Rustad was guest driver with Münnich Motorsport and proved that the Audi S3 is no bad car. © JKR/ERC24

When Frenchman Davy Jeanney reached the finish line French speaking Canada had something to celebrate. © JKR/ERC24

Home favourites Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and Patrick Carpentier had a weekend of mixed fortunes in their JRM Racing prepared MINI 1.6 SuperCars. Dumoulin, the reigning Canadian NASCAR Champion, was hindered with a misfiring engine on Day 1 and was placed 16th at the Intermediate Classification. Carpentier suffered a similar fate when the driver was forced to retire from the first heat after colliding with a concrete wall. JRM Team Principal Rumsey concluded: “The guys didn’t let yesterday’s events get them down and they fought like the professional drivers like they are. It’s always galling to just miss out on the Semi-Finals, but that’s motorsport.”

In the standalone RX Lites Intercontinental Cup it was Swede Oliver Eriksson who took overall victory. Frenchman Cyril Raymond finished runner-up despite breaking his car’s suspension in the Final, Canadian Andrew Ranger claimed the third podium spot.

Final results of the WRX SuperCars to be found here.

Final results of the WRC SuperCar teams to be found here.

Final results of the RX Lites to be found here.

More images from the WorldRX of Canada round to be found here.

Top photo: Davy Jeanney claimed Canada by a lights-to-flag victory. © JKR/ERC24