Mattias Ekström has confirmed the addition of Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen to the EKSRX driver setup for the World Rallycross Championship season for 2016. The Finn joins the Swede in what looks to be a Scandinavian force to be reckoned with.
EKSRX have announced this afternoon that Toomas Heikkinen – the young Finnish driver will complete their 2016 team to launch a title bid in World RX. The former OMSE and Marklund Motorsport competitor will join Ekström in an Audi S1 quattro Supercar, and tackle a full championship campaign under the stewardship of the highly experienced Swede.
Heikkinen has been a growing RX talent for many years. A Finnish Rallycross Championship in 2010, he first propelled himself onto the European scene whilst driving an Eklund run Saab 93 – where he quickly proved that he was both an extremely talented and competitive young driver. Under OMSE, Heikkinen stormed to a GRC title in 2013 having also also bagged multiple medals at the X Games. In 2014, Heikkinen switched to Marklund Motorsport, with the ambitious target of the title in his first season. ‘Topi’ subsequently fell just short of the overall title, with second place overall finish. Topi drove to an event win in 2015 at the World RX of Belgium at the Circuit Jules Tacheny in Mettet.
Toomas Heikkinen joins EKSRX with the hope of more silverware. © JKR/ERC24
Heikkinen joins Ekström – the two-time DTM champion. Ekström, who gained two consecutive wins at the World RX of Sweden, finished 11th and 6th in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The Swede will look to launch a title campaign this season, proving to the RX community that he can mix it with the best drivers. Ekström’s exquisite performances at Höljes, Sweden – as well as 2015 podiums at Lydden, GB and Rosario, Argentina – place him in good stead for the upcoming season.
Ekström spoke positively about his new team-mate: “Topi is a super-fast guy on the track and also has a very good character. It’s been a very long winter break with a lot of preparation. Finally, we are back and I would like to give a huge thanks to all our partners, who have made this happen.”
“I think EKS is a great bunch of guys and one of the most professional teams in World RX,” explained 24-year-old Heikkinen. “Mattias has been quite a good friend of mine since 2013 when we both competed in X Games and our aim is the same: we both want to win races.”
During the upcoming weeks Heikkinen and Ekström will be busy testing the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro in preparation for the World RX season-opener in Montalegre, Portugal (15-17 April).
Mattias Ekström nearing closer to a WRX title with the talented Heikkinen onboard? © JKR/ERC24
The pair will continue with Audi S1 quattro Supercars. Here Ekström pictured during his Holjes win in 2015. © JKR/ERC24
The pair pictured in Portugal in 2015, for their respective teams. © JKR/ERC24
Top Photo: Toomas Heikkinen joins Ekström to tackle a full championship campaign. © EKSRX/ERC24