World RX: Our season ends in style - EKSRX

EKSRX Press Release

With Edward Sandström entering his first ever semi final in FIA World Rallycross Championship our premiere season in World RX came to a satisfying end. Of course Edward hoped for more in Istanbul, but a broken rear suspension in his semi ruled him out of the close battle for a spot in the last race on the brand new track and he ended up fourth. “First of all I’m happy that I made it to the semis for the first time. That’s where I want to be and where I always should be. Also I’m a bit frustrated, because we could have achieved much more here”, said Edward.

P-G Andersson’s debut for EKS was a very good one, if we could eliminate heat 1. Because of an engine change after the Free Practice P-G missed the first race and had big pressure to go for maximum points in the next three runs. With fresh power he did an impressive job and gave proof of his pace with P2 in the second and P4 in the third heat. The gap for the Top 12 spots shrunk, but at the end he missed the party by just five points. “We had the speed for a top spot. The car is absolutely great, easy to drive, the perfect package”, said P-G.

The on-track season for EKS is over now. Have we reached all our targets? Yes, we think so! Istanbul was our seventh appearance in a semi final during this season. At four out of eight events we advanced to the final and in Germany even both Audi S1 EKS RX were in the battle for the podium. Last but not least we celebrated the memorable “Magic Weekend” with an amazing victory in Höljes. Without racing action there are still plenty of more things to do during the rest of the year. Curious about what we will do? Stay tuned! We will keep you updated on our social media.

Photo credit: EKSRX

Wallpaper: EKSRX Audi S1 quattro by Berzerkdesign

A great wallpaper made by our friends at Berzerkdesign. The EKSRX Audi S1 quattro rallycross race wichi is taking part in the newly formed FIA World Rallycross Championship.

More about Berzerkdesign at their official website, their official page on Facebook and their official account on Twitter.

World RX: Success for Pontus Tidemand in World RX of Belgium

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

Things have gone in the right direction for every race in the FIA World Rallycross Championship for Pontus Tidemand and EKS. In this weekend's event in Belgium, the development took another step forward when Pontus made it to the final and felt very comfortable in his Audi S1 EKS RX. He got a sixth place overall - but the victory feels closer than ever.

"This is the first race where I have had good starts and I could be in the fight from the first meter and that feels incredibly good" says Pontus who was in the top battle all the way from start by managing to set a 5th fastest time already in Saturday's first heat.

After a fantastic start, Pontus continued the trend and delivered great times in all four qualifying heats. A solid sixth place took him to the semi-finals, where he gave everything and was second fastest overall. In the final, he attacked in the same style and it looked like he was on his way to a podium place when a technical issue occured during the last lap. Pontus got a sixth place, but despite that he won't go home empty handed. This weekend's race is also a part of the European Championship - where Pontus scored a third place and got to step up on the podium on Sunday afternoon.

"To reach a World RX final is like a win in itself when you look at the big picture and that the season began a bit problematic" says Pontus. "The car works great, I liked the track and it has been pure joy to drive this weekend. Nothing is for free in this sport, we have worked our way up gradually and I have done my best in every heat. Now the podium feels so close and I'm really looking forward to continuing the RX series in a couple of months."

After the busiest time of the season, the FIA World Rallycross Championship now takes a short summer break and will be continued in Canada in August. But for Pontus and EKS, the next World RX event will be in France in September. Before that, Pontus will focus on rallying again and participate in Rally Deutschland in late August.

Photo credit: EKSRX

VIDEO: EKSRX Audi preview of World Rallycross round at Mettet

By Tarek Ramchani

No break for the EKSRX Audi team in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. A week after a sensational victory for Mattias Ekstrom with the Audi S1 at Höljes, the team is moving to Belgium for the sixth round of the season.

The two Audi S1 cars will be in the hands of Pontus Tidemand and Audi GT regular Edward Sandström.

Below a video preview from EKSRX about the Belgian round at Mettet.

Photo credit: EKSRX

World RX: Back to zero in Mettet - EKSRX Audi S1

EKSRX Press Release

After the stunning first victory on home soil in Sweden, EKS wants to show its pace also at round six of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Mettet/Belgium. “Every weekend, each team starts with zero and we have to acquire everything all-over again”, says EKS founder Mattias Ekström. Circuit Jules Tacheny is located about 80 km south-east of Brussels. The brand new track will be a challenge not only for EKS.

#5 Pontus Tidemand (SWE) _ RX Events: 3 _ Best result: P8 (Höljes 2014)
“I have a good feeling about the upcoming race in Belgium. To reach the semi finals in Höljes was a big step forward for me, but as a competitive person you definitely want more than that – hopefully we can achieve that already this weekend.”

#79 Edward Sandström (SWE) _ RX Events: – _ Best result:
“It was great to share the last weekend with the awesome EKS team in Höljes. I got a closer look on the whole procedures during a race weekend and I’m really confident for Belgium. It’s my first RX experience, but it will be great to be back in the Audi S1 EKS RX after my test in Höljes a couple of weeks ago.”

About Mettet RX

Location: 80 km south-east of Brussels in the region of Wallonia
Residents: app. 13,000
Track length: 1,030 m
Direction: anti-clockwise
Turns: 10 (7 left, 3 right)
Max / Min width: 14.5 / 12 m
Tarmac / Gravel: 69 / 31 %
Laps in Qualifying: 4
Laps Semi & Final: 6
Supercar Entrants: 37

Schedule

Friday
16.00 RX Press Conference and Draw for Heat 1
17.00–18.00 EKS Friday’s

Saturday
11.00–13.00 Free Practice
13.30 Heat 1 & 2

Sunday
08.00–09.00 Warm-up
09.30 Heat 3 & 4
14.45 Finals

Photo credit: EKSRX

World RX: Ekström with the Audi S1 takes first P1 in Höljes

EKSRX Press Release

“Money can’t buy you goose bumps!” says an ecstatic Mattias Ekström after the first victory of EKS in FIA World Rallycross Championship. In front of almost 35,000 sharing spectators in Höljes/Sweden the local hero caught the checkered flag ahead of Andreas Bakkerud and Petter Solberg, both from Norway.

“As I stood on top of the podium today, filled with the joy of winning and with my entire team in front of me – I must say it was one of the best moments of my life! Not as a driver but as a team member. All the hours we’ve put in, all the hard work and doubts. To build a team from scratch, completely after our own heads, has certainly been a journey. The victory today was the first checkpoint and to be able to do it on home soil made it even more fantastic! It tells us we’re on the right track and that we have truly worked as a team.”

“RX is a fantastic sport. It is racing for real, fair rules, real cars and hard fights. We always want to put on a show, and we defiantly did today. The audience here in Höljes was amazing so it feels extra good to able to give something back to them. Thanks everybody who came out and made my first victory in RX such a unforgettable moment!” concludes a very happy Mattias.

The beaming winner had a nearly perfect weekend on home soil after winning three of his four Heats and took also the win in the semi final. In the showdown he crossed the line with an advance of 10.442s on runner-up Bakkerud. EKS team-mate Pontus Tidemand did also well during the whole weekend. After a win in his second Heat and a very constantly performance the Swede followed compatriot Mattias to semi final for the first time and missed the final round by just a hair. He crossed the line in fourth position – 0.130s behind Liam Doran.

Round six of World RX will take place in Belgium next weekend. Mattias will miss this event, because he is on duty for Audi in the DTM event in Moscow the same time. Wild card driver Edward Sandström will take over the wheel of the Audi S1 EKS RX and team up with Pontus.

Photo credit: EKSRX

World RX: Mattias Ekström Rallycross Team EKSRX armed with Audi S1

By Johan Laubscher

News broke on Wednesday that Mattias Ekström's new World Rallycross team will be fielding two Audi S1 Supercar class rallycross cars this year. 

EKSRX will be running the two cars that will be driven by the Swedish driver, Pontus Tidemand, and a number of guest drivers as wildcard entries. The EKSRX team will be taking part in selected rounds of the new FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) this year with the goal of developing their new Audi S1 cars.

The first glimpse of the car is a white Audi S1 called the "Audi S1 EKS RX Concept".

This confirms the second Audi team entering the 2014 World RX, as Münnich Motorpsort will be entering their Audi S3 rallycross car in the Supercar class as well. 

The 2014 World RX season gets underway in Portugal, 3-4 May, however neither of the two Audi teams are currently listed on the entry list for the first round.

Photo credit: EKSRX