Despite the team’s high hopes in the build-up to the event, ace drivers Toomas ’Topi’ Heikkinen and Anton Marklund were both unable to progress beyond the semi-final stage in their Volkswagen Polo RX Supercars.
However, Heikkinen is a strong third in the drivers’ standings with Marklund fifth heading to World RX of Germany at Estering (September 20/21) when the Swedish team will be looking to recapture its race-winning form from earlier in the season.
”This wasn’t our weekend,” said team principal Jan Marklund. ”After World RX of Canada last month we have tested and developed the car. We had high hopes for this weekend but the result wasn’t what we expected. The Loheac track surface is different compared to other tracks and that affected our set-up and the driving style of our drivers. But this was a good lesson to all of us and now we have to take away all the positive things which can be taken and never give up. With four rounds remaining the title is still open and we’ll fight all the way.”
Tricky times for Topi
The World RX of Belgium winner started his semi-final in fifth position following what the Finn described as some ”really tough heats”. ”They were probably the toughest sessions of the season,” said Heikkinen. ”We had problems with traffic and the set-up in the heats. Even though I got a good start in my semi and came from fifth to third, the handling wasn’t perfect and the Peugeots were really quick. I pushed as hard as I could but I ended up in fourth place at the finish, which is a really big disappointment for me. It’s also bad for my championship chances but we won’t give up and me and the whole team will now work really hard to be ready for the next race in Germany.”
Mission not quite accomplished for Anton
Anton Marklund was pleased with his pace in the heats although he conceded that his driving and the car set-up could be improved. It fired him up for a big attack in his semi-final, when he went up against team-mate Heikkinen. ”It’s never an ideal situation to have two cars from the team in same semi-final where three cars go the final,” said the Swede. ”My start wasn’t perfect. I fought with the Peugeots and due to that lost position and fell behind Topi. After that I pushed but never got a real chance to overtake so I ended up in fifth place. Topi and me had both targeted the final so we’re disappointed. World RX of Germany is only two weeks away now. We have to forget this weekend and push harder in the next one.”
Provisional World RX drivers’ standings (after round eight of 12): 1 Petter Solberg (185 points); 2 Reinis Nitiss (157); 3 Toomas Heikkinen (147); 4 Andreas Bakkerud (126); 5 Anton Marklund (124); 6 Timmy Hansen (118); etc.
Provisional World RX teams’ standings (after round eight of 12): 1 Ford OlsbergsMSE (282 points); 2 Marklund Motorsport supported by Volkswagen (269); 3 Team Peugeot-Hansen (227); etc.
Next World RX event: World RX of Germany, Estering, September 20/21.
