Reinis Nitišs the driver from Jēkabpils, Latvia – has made a significant rise in Rallycross over the past five years. Now with a new team and ever growing confidence he embarks on his third Supercar season in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Nitišs, the young Latvian recently announced that he will compete alongside René Münnich in all the championship rounds in a newly built Seat Ibiza RX Supercar. Having spent two seasons with Ford Olsbergs MSE, during which he managed to finish on the podium seven times, including one victory, Nitišs is one of the sports rising stars. A former Super1600 2013 European Rallycross Champion, the 20-year old, has also gained titles in the FIA NEZ Rallycross Championship, Estonian Rallycross Championship and Baltic Rallycross Championship.

Here are his thoughts on the upcoming season.

ERC24: What are your hopes for the 2016 season?

RN: “I hope we can develop a really competitive car and ultimately be able to fight for the win. I think there will be no room for error. Everybody will be really fast – and also with big newcomers in Loeb and Block – it will be difficult because everyone will be very fast.”

Reinis Nitišs leading. Nitišs will drive for All-Inkl Racing in 2016. © JKR/ERC24

ERC24: How will it feel to be a World Championship competitor at home in Latvia for the Riga event?

RN: “It will be an unbelievable pleasure, but I think the pressure will be real high. I must concentrate the most and focus on racing on those days, because you do not want to disappoint the home fans. So for sure higher pressure but also higher awards. I am very excited for this one.”

ERC24: Tell us about your preparations for the 2016 season, how is everything going?

RN: “I have been working particularly on my physical shape during the whole season. My trainer is triple world sidecar-cross champion Kaspars Stupelis. I have been also doing karting camps and some local races. Everyhting is building towards the first event in Portugal on 16th April. But I feel it very important to prepare both mentally and physically and try different Motorsports in the off-season. I feel ready!”

Nitišs: “Two podiums last year was not what I was aiming for. That was 10 too little!” © JKR/ERC24

ERC24: We now know that you will drive for All-Inkl.com, but explain the process you took when finding a new team?

RN: “The World Rallycross Championship is currently developing at a very fast pace, and we began discussions with multiple teams late last year, with All-Inkl.com Racing coming out on top with their action plan and potential. The team’s racing engineers and specialists have years of experience in top level racing series – GT1, WTCC and Rallycross. In the last two years, racing with Audi S3 RX cars, the team has got some invaluable knowledge, and I believe that we will be competitive in the championship with the new Seat Supercars”

Former teammates Andreas Bakkerud and Reinis Nitišs (rear) battle with OMSE. © JKR/ERC24

ERC24: With two Supercar podium finishes in Germany (Hockenheim) and Belgium, what is the target for this year?

RN: “Two podiums last year was not what I was aiming for. That was 10 too little. I hope this year I can be more competitive and reach the podium much more often.”

ERC24: What will be the biggest challenges racing in World RX this season?

RN: “It is always difficult the first season with a new team because it will be an ongoing process in developing the brand new car and bringing it to the top of the sport. So yes the challenge is very high this year, and the pressure is always growing – especially with Riga, but I am very confident.”

ERC24: Which events are you most looking forward to?

RN: “Hell, Loheac and of course Latvia.”

Reinis Nitišs (right) and Andreas Bakkerud claiming points for the Team Championship standings in 2015. © JKR/ERC24

ERC24: Finishing 3rd overall in 2014, were you disappointed with your final position this year? What can you achive in 2016?

RN: “I was not disappointed. I take the 2015 as experience and I have learned a lot. I will use this experience in 2016. Now I can’t wait for it all to start.”

Top Photo: Nitišs on 2016 season: “ I think there will be no room for error. Everybody will be really fast”. © JKR/ERC24