World RX – Peugeot optimistic for Latvia

The team Peugeot -Hansen was able to discover the Bikernieki circuit near Riga (Latvia) which will host the World RX for the first time during a test session in which Timmy Hansen notably participated last July. The team returns there this week to compete in the penultimate event of the season.

“The track is located in one of the city parks and there is a lot of greenery along the track. It is superb ! The track of Rallycross was built on a circuit that has existed for a long time. Its layout is fluid with a good rhythm. The track is bordered by a low wall and includes three jumps. The grip looks very good. I can't wait to be able to race there at the wheel of the Peugeot 208 WRX, especially after the peak speed we showed in Barcelona (Spain)”, enthused the Swede who finished second in the Spanish final behind Mattias Ekström (Audi S1).

Sébastien Loeb will look to bounce back on the new track where his lack of experience will be less penalizing. The Alsatian could reduce his gap on Andreas Bakkerud (Ford Focus RS), fourth in the Championship who is ahead of him by 19 points, but he will also have to monitor the progress of his teammate who is only nine points behind his fifth place in the Drivers' standings.

“For me, this year, each Rallycross event presents its share of new things but, in Riga, I think this will be even more true than in the other rounds! Indeed, to be honest, before this season I would have been hard-pressed to place Latvia precisely on a map, but as my involvement in Rally-Raid this season, I am very open to new adventures", confided the nine-time champion of WRC.

Kenneth Hansen, the Team Principal of the team of the same name, seems confident after the latest results obtained.

“At first glance, our Barcelona set-up should suit the Riga track and that's good news because our drivers were happy with their car”, indicated the director of Team Peugeot-Hansen.

Team Peugeot-Hansen will be all the more keen to do well in Riga as it is now 20 points behind EKS.