World RX - Turkey RX: Swedes in command at Istanbul
Timmy Hansen (Team Peugeot Hansen) is the leader of the intermediate classification after Day 1 of Turkish round of World Rallycross Championship which takes place at Istanbul’s Intercity Park. Hansen’s Peugeot 208 WRX was the fastest in the first qualifying Heat, while another Swede Mattias Ekstrom in EKS Audi S1 RX quattro set the fastest time after four laps in the second qualifying Heat.
The third place in the 21 Supercars drivers was occupied by Latvian driver Reinis Nitiss in Olsbergs Ford Fiesta, who was second in Heat 1 and third in Heat 2. Reigning world champion Petter Solberg (Citroen DS3) is fourth, ahead of one more Norwegian Andreas Bakkerud (Olsbergs Ford).
Positions from sixth to eleventh were taken by Johan Kristoffersson, Robin Larsson, Tord Linnerud, Toomas Heikkinen and Timur Timerzyanov. Janis Baumanis and Anton Marklund are sharing 12th place, so it will be very interesting to see tomorrow’s fights, because only 12 drivers will qualify for the Semifinal.
In the supporting RX Lites Cup, Thomas Bryntesson leads the 10 RX Lites cars. Series leader Kevin Hansen is second, one spot ahead of Britain’s Tom Onslow-Cole who is making his rallycross debut in Istanbul, having won the RX Talent Search which was held at Lydden Hill earlier this year. Kevin Eriksson is fourth, the Swede fighting back in the second heat having rolled his car in the first race.
The programme will be continued in the morning with a warm-up for Supercars and RX Lites. Heat three will run from 10:30am with the fourth heat scheduled for midday. The World RX semi-finals and final will take place at 3pm.