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Ekstrom to miss DTM finale for World RX title bid

FIA World Rallycross Championship leader Mattias Ekstrom has confirmed today (Thursday) that he will race in all three of the final rounds of World RX this season, including at the Estering in Germany next month, which clashes with the final round of the DTM.

As part of his ‘day job' racing for Audi in the DTM, two-time champion Ekstrom had expected to race in the final round of the series at Hockenheim on 15 - 16 October, but has been given permission by Audi Sport bosses to race in World RX to enable him to continue to fight for his first ever FIA World title, with his EKS team.

"I have to send a massive thank you to my bosses at Audi Sport. Being given green light to realise a childhood dream is nothing I take for granted," said Ekstrom, who will line up at the Estering alongside regular team mate Topi Heikkinen in their EKS Audi S1s. "I haven't missed a single race in DTM for 15 years, so it's a really big decision by Audi Sport and for sure a big one for me too. I have never ever been close to winning a FIA World Championship title before and I'm proud and honoured that my bosses are giving me this chance. Rest assured that I will go flat-out to pay them back. I want to take a step towards the big trophy not only for me and my team EKS, but also for Audi Sport."

Ekstrom retook the lead of the World RX Drivers' championship at Barcelona RX last weekend. He is 10 points ahead of two-time World RX Champion Petter Solberg with three races remaining.

Zdroj: fiaworldrallycross.com