The championship heads to Brittany, and the small rural village of Lohéac as teams get set to battle it out for the eighth round of the season in front of around 80,000 fans.
North-west France will play host to the championship’s eighth round of 2016. The stunning Lohéac circuit will test a total of 72 cars, with the circuit providing excellent action out on track with the notoriously long joker Lap and jump.
The WorldRX round of France at Lohéac in 2014 – won by Petter Solberg from Reinis Nitišs and Timmy Hansen. © JKR/ERC24
Petter Solberg leads the championship, locked in a tight battle with Mattias Ekstrom – with fellow Scandinavian Andreas Bakkerud still in contention. Mattias Ekström’s Team EKS enters the event leading the teams’ standings with a 30-point gap on local heroes Team Peugeot Hansen.
However, with a strong French contingent present, and massive home support the Scandinavian’s look set to be tested. Sebastian Loeb is a local hero, and has been driving well for Team Peugoet-Hansen. Loeb will race at his home event for the second time, following his debut in 2013. Fellow teammate Timmy Hansen won in Loheac last season, and is fresh off the back of a round win in Canada – as he continues, like last season, to grow as the championship heads into it’s final stint.
In 2015 Timmy Hansen claimed the event which formed part of a back-back victory. © JKR/ERC24
Solberg, bagged the second podium position last year, and will look to win in France this season in order to open up a gap at the top of the drivers standings. Solberg and his team have had an extremely busy period between Canada and France – his car practically destroyed following a collision between Anton Marklund and Solberg at the end of the final in Canada.
“The condition of my car was pretty bad after the accident that occurred after crossing the finish line in Canada. Luckily my sponsor Bertel O. Steen, one of Norway’s biggest car dealerships, proved to be an amazing partner. Immediately after the accident the CEO gave me a phone call to ensure that the company was ready to do what it takes to help us repair the car. My PSRX mechanics and our friends at Bertel O. Steen have had some long days and nights and the car now, it’s perfect. Actually, it’s better than perfect. The car will be quicker than it was before; the complete rebuild of the car has given us the chance to add in some small details to the chassis that we probably wouldn’t have done in the middle of the season,” said Solberg.
Solberg receiving medical treatment in Canada (last round) following a huge collision with Marklund.
Other team news features the inclusion of Guerlain Chicherit in Loheac. Chicherit is back behind the wheel of a JRM machine – following the dismissal of Liam Doran.
Home drivers include Peugoet Hansen Academy driver Davy Jeanney. And also Jean-Baptiste Dubourg back behind the wheel of the DA Racing backed Citroen DS3. Dubourg scored a podium finish at his home event last season.
Despite there being no Euro RX competition, this season will also feature a host of familiar European faces. Tommy Rustad is back alongside Andy Scott – with Belgian Michael de Keersmaecker competing again. Irishman Ollie O’Donovan will also look to challenge as they make the trip to Loheac.