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Marcus Gronholm's GRX World Rallycross team adds third Hyundai

Marcus Gronholm's GRX team will expand to three Hyundai i20s for selected rounds of the 2019 World Rallycross Championship.

Reining European Rallycross champion Reinis Nitiss will join regular drivers Timur Timerzyanov and Niclas Gronholm in the squad, while also working in a development driver role behind the scenes.

The GRX squad increased its World RX programme to two cars for 2018 using former World Rally Championship i20s and Gronholm Jr was regularly the best of the non-works drivers and came close to podium finishes.

"We knew that our first season with a new car would be tough, but we exceeded our expectations in 2018 and throughout the winter break we have been working hard to improve our i20 Supercars and take the next step in 2019," said Gronholm Sr, who will return to the WRC to tackle Rally Sweden in a Toyota this week.

"With this project we are thinking long term and I am happy that we have the same great core team with us, and the same driver line-up that can continue their work and fight for the leading positions in the championship."

Nitiss got his first taste of the i20 Supercar with a handful of laps at the Bikerneiki circuit in Latvia last September, the Monday after claiming the Euro RX title with the Set Promotion squad that operates Gronholm's World RX team.

"This will be the first time I will drive the same car for a second consecutive season and I will start it with a good knowledge of the i20 Supercar," said Niclas Gronholm.

"The base performance was already there and we have worked on tweaks around the car to shave off crucial tenths of a second."

Triple Euro RX champion Timerzyanov thinks the absence of manufacturer teams in World RX this year gives GRX an opportunity to fight at the front.

"This season will offer more opportunities for privateer teams, meaning that we also have a bigger chance to show our supporters good results and great action for the fans," he said.

Zdroj: autosport.com