The Belgian round of the World Championship in rally-cross had to give an answer to many questions, not — as is logical success Ekström, which he achieved in Germany. And if Matthias is really so fast anyone to fight the peals of the pilot will be able to Audi.
Results of the weekend turned out to be disappointing for jet Swede rivals — he and his car is really on top form, so that no-protivopo put this duo again no one was able to do nothing.
But the first qualifying session of the season won the newcomer — and at the same time the most eminent member of the series — nine time world champion Sebastien Loeb. Mattias Ekström was second, and closed the top three Petter Solberg.
The results of these three fit in two tenths of a second, but took fourth place Johan Kristofferson Loeb lost more than two seconds — a real pit.
In the second qualifying Ekström won, and the second was Timur Timerzyanov — Russians in Belgium has found a second wind and has successfully overcome mesh qualification. Kristofferson has closed three fastest in the second session.
Ekström, Solberg, Loeb — so ended the third qualification, but the best on the results of the fourth and final session began Solberg, Loeb and Andreas Bakkerud. Norwegian and his teammate Hoonigan Racing Division Ken Block were busy bringing to mind their Ford Focus RS RX, have undergone another update on the eve of the Belgian weekend, but it cost them speed and the final result — the two have not been in the semi-finals.
As a result of the four qualifying sessions defined dozen participants send in two semi-final race. At the start of the first came Mattias Ekström, Sebastien Loeb, Francois Duval, Janis Baumanis, Timur Timerzyanov Davie and Jeanne. In the second fight Petter Solberg, Johan Kristofferson, Timmy Han-sen, Anton Marklund, and Kevin Eriksson Reinis Nitishs.
Unfortunately, both the first and second semi-finals were marred by numerous false starts — fines in the form of a second «joker-range» for this offense received Timerzyanov Hansen and Nitishs. But the main «at fault» in the semifinals became Janis Baumanis — for a hard car hit Davie Jeanne judge showed him the black flag and annulled the result. But Lett finished third in the first semi-final...
Removing Baumanisa brought third place in the first semifinal race Francois Duval. And in front of him finished Mattias Ekström and Sebastien Loeb.
From the start of the second semi-final in the fight went five members, and the sixth — Reinis Nitishs — stood on the starting line. It was only when his rivals have already passed per-st turn and raced on, Seat Latvian rider deigned to budge.
This, and the fact that Nitishs and Timmy Hansen had double-pass «joker-lap», led to the fact that the struggle for getting into the coveted top three lucky people who became finalists, were not six, and only four participants.
Petter Solberg moved forward from the start, created a gap between the opponents and finish first — his time was nearly half a second better than the result shown in the first semi-final the winner Mattias Ekström.
Two Volkswagen RX Sweden driver Johan Kristofferson and Anton Marklund slёtannoy pair finished in second and third positions — the last nearly beat Timmy Hansen. And this despite the fact that Peugeot-Hansen driver was forced to drive two «joker-round!» The young Swede is blame only himself — if not false start, for sure it would be in the final...
Fighting in the final promised to be very sharp and «delicious» — at least on the basis of the membership. Peals of Mattias Ekström, two multiple World Champion Sebastien Loeb and Petter Solberg, unpredictable and fast Francois Duval and Anton Marklund and Johan Kristofferson — a pair of experienced and do not recognize any authority racers.
The main highlight of the Belgian track Jules Taschen is the first turn. It is quite narrow, and right after it — trampoline and the next turn, so it is extremely important to get out of the starting rotation at the most optimal path, so as not to spoil your next passage of the bunch.
Before the start of the final race winners of the first three starting positions — Ekström, Petter Solberg and Sebastien Loeb long discussed the upcoming race and agreed on the fact that the dam in the first corner would be nice to avoid.
Zavala did not happen, but until the «stars» were gradually to turn their team literally flew into occupied at the start of the sixth position only Marklund! Lida-set from the start turn left Ekström, followed by Marklund and a further — Solberg with Loeb and Duval. And where Kristofferson? He had a hard time «left the blocks» — the Volkswagen engine of his «lost» one of the cylinders. The Swede continued to move along the road, but at some point had to admit defeat and went.
And on the second round of the burst real sporting tragedy has with his team-mate — superbly launched Marklund made a mistake in one of the turns, his Volkswagen skidded and he stopped. Anton quickly returned to the track, but missed ahead of Loeb and Solberg — Norway at this point is already so well-managed to drive his «joker-lap.»
This struggle ended in the top three. The only overtaking on the track was the lead Marklund Duval — Swede after the «joker-circle» was in Zadie Belgian, but Francois broke the rear left wheel, and became easy prey for Anton.
As a result, Mattias Ekström won a second consecutive victory at the stages of the world Ral-li-cross. Sebastien Loeb finished second — in the third start of the season the Frenchman took «silver». We are waiting for the first win? Third place went to Petter Solberg — Norway conceded the lead in the series Ekström, but certainly will not give up without a fight.
The next stage of the championship in the UK will be held May 27 on the highway Liddy Hill — the legendary race track will be the scene of battles World RX participants.
Photo: www.fiaworldrallycross.com
