Jeanney becomes first Frenchman to win World RX event

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Jeanney becomes first Frenchman to win World RX event

Monday, 22. 06. 2015 - 12:02, Public relations

Frenchman Davy Jeanney has won the ALL-INKL.COM World RX of Germany, round five of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, after a dominant display at the wheel of a Peugeot 208 RX Supercar.

Timmy Hansen finished third to make it a double podium for Team Peugeot-Hansen. Reigning World RX Champion Petter Solberg clinched the runners-up spot and has extended his Championship lead over Sweden's Johan Kristoffersson by 35 points.

In the second round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship (Euro RX), Marklund Motorsport's Tommy Rustad took the chequered flag. Albatec Racing's Jerome Grosset-Janin finished runner-up and was joined on the podium by fellow Frenchman Fabien Pailler who secured third place. Rustad's win in Germany sees the Norwegian close the gap on Euro RX round one winner Grosset-Janin, who leads Rustad in the overall standings by a slender two points.

"To win today feels incredible, it's been the perfect weekend for me and it's really fantastic for the team to have Timmy on the podium too," grinned Jeanney, who enters the record books after becoming the first Frenchman to win a round of World RX. Jeanney also won the Monster Energy Super Charge Award for his rapid start off the line, as well as a limited edition Rebellion Timepieces Wraith Drive rallycross watch.

Jeanney, who claimed three heat wins on his path to victory, added: "Both myself and the car have stepped up a level since the start of the year, I made just one small mistake over the weekend and the rest was perfect. I really enjoy the Estering, it's a track that suits my driving style well and I have good memories after finishing second in Germany two years ago. I've not won a rallycross event in five years [France, 2010] and to leave here with maximum points is a fantastic feeling."

Runner-up Solberg was full of praise for Germany RX winner, Jeanney. "I must say, I am very impressed with Davy - he was unbelievably quick this weekend, he deserves this," admitted the reigning World Championship. "Usually I always want to win," continued Solberg, "but I'm very happy to take second. It's good for the Championship and I tried really hard to fight for the top spot but it's been very tough racing. For the next event in Holjes, I'll come back pushing even harder."

Timmy Hansen's weekend didn't get off to the best start when the 22-year-old driver encountered some technical problems during the heats. The Peugeot-Hansen team worked hard on the car overnight and Hansen returned on flying form today to secure the third step of the podium. "I really didn't expect to finish third after yesterday but we came back fighting and in the final I thought to myself that it was all or nothing. I really pushed and when Johan [Kristoffersson] took the Joker on the final lap, I made the most of the opportunity to move ahead. Davy has done a brilliant job, I've been chasing him all day!"

Following another impressive drive in the Volkswagen Sweden Polo RX Supercar, Kristoffersson finished fourth in Germany. Fifth place was awarded to Marklund Motorsport's Tord Linnerud after Ford Olsbergs MSE driver Andreas Bakkerud was excluded from today's final following contact with Linnerud at turn one.

Elsewhere, it was a tough weekend for EKS team owner Mattias Ekstrom who failed to make the semi-finals after a broken throttle cable and a sensor problem hindered his progress. Team-mate Anton Marklund progressed to the semis but a tussle with Ford Olsbergs MSE Reinis Nitiss on turn one saw both drivers retire.

Fredrik Salsten won this weekend's TouringCar category after the Swede took a narrow victory over 16-year-old Magda Andersson. Salsten's win now sees him lead the overall TouringCar standings. Third place at the Estering was awarded to Kjetil Larsen. Andersson, who is the youngest female to secure a podium in TouringCars, commented: "Our goal was to reach the semi-finals at some stage this year but to make the final and to finish second is a dream come true."

In S1600, Denmark's Ulrik Linnemann took the win and is now third in the standings with Janis Baumanis holding onto his lead at the top of the table. Russia's Timur Shigabutidnov and Hungary's Krisztian Szabo were second and third respectively.

Martin Anayi, World RX Managing Director for IMG Motorsport, concluded: "It was excellent to watch Davy win in Germany and to become our fourth different winner in five races. Team Peugeot-Hansen have worked incredibly hard this season, both on and off-event, and deserve the double podium after their efforts. They have also closed the gap in the Teams' Championship and it is exciting to see just nine points separating current leaders Ford Olsbergs MSE, SDRX and Peugeot-Hansen as the Championships nears its half-way point.

Congratulations also to Tommy Rustad who took the Euro RX win and regularly challenged the World Championship drivers throughout the heat races. With only two points separating Tommy and Jerome in the European Championship, it's going to be all to play for when Euro RX resumes at our Norwegian race at the end of August. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the German organisers for working on some key improvements to this year's paddock and the track, it's definitely paid off and made the Estering a fantastic event for both drivers and the fans."