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

World RX: Fight-back for EKS Audi in Italy

EKSRX Press Release

The return of international Rallycross to Italy was a huge success for the FIA World Rallycross Championship with the organisers of the Italian World RX round declaring the weekend in Franciacorta a sell-out event. EKS experienced a tough weekend missing the semi finals by a single point.

The young Swedish team had a lot of support from Italian Audi fans and friends on the packed grandstands in Franciacorta including Audi’s Le Mans driver Marco Bonanomi who even checked out the cockpit of the Audi S1 EKS RX. But after setting promising times in Open Practice, both EKS drivers hit bad luck in the first of the four qualifying heats. Wildcard driver Edward Sandström reported a power-loss on his S1 that also affected his second heat. Pontus Tidemand retired from his first race with a broken right rear suspension dropping him to the very end of the 38-car strong Supercar field.

By finishing 5th and two times 7th in the remaining three heats, Pontus was able to fight back and move up to 13th position overall missing the semi finals by just one point or 0.016s he finished behind former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve in his final heat. “It’s been a quite hard weekend,” said the 23-year old Swede. “We struggled in the first heat and retired, and that’s not good with the points system we have in World Rallycross. However, I’m quite happy with the top seven times we got in all the other heats, practice and warm-up. We missed the semis by one position and that’s not what I was looking for. But it has been a great event in Italy with a great atmosphere. The team has done a fantastic job.”

Edward was 26th after day 1 and able to move up to 20th position on Sunday finishing 12th in both heats. “I got stuck behind Derek Tohill in Heat 3 and my start wasn’t good enough in Heat 4,” he explained. “I followed Robin Larsson for the rest of the heat but wasn’t quick enough to be there, really. It was a very, very difficult weekend, but I’ve learnt a lot. I feel more confident in many areas.”

EKS will be back in action at round 11 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship on 11/12 October in Istanbul. By the way: congratulations to Petter Solberg for being a worthy World Champion and to IMG for another cool RX event in Italy. We are already looking very much forward to #TurkeyRX.

Photo credit: EKSRX

World RX: Great effort and medal for Tidemand in Italy despite bad luck

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

Italy has fantastic things to offer its visitors, but the weekend at Franciacorta International Circuit was not quite the success that Pontus Tidemand and EKS had hoped for. Their fighting spirit was turned up to the max and despite three strong heats, trouble with the suspension caused a leaderboard drop that was difficult to fully recover from.

Ahead of the weekend's event, Pontus had three finals in a row behind him, and he had gradually improved his performance for every race. Unfortunately the trend did not last. Already in Saturday's first heat, Pontus got caught in a bit of bad luck. The rear suspension broke and he was forced to retire from his ongoing race. After a brilliant job by the team, the car was back in perfect condition for the next heat and Pontus could end the day with a race win and a fifth quickest time overall.

On Sunday, Pontus was ready to give absolutely everything in order to make it to the semi-finals. He set a third fastest time in the warm-up, continued to perform in the final two qualifying heats and climbed the standings during the day. Despite that he finished in 13th place - just one point from a spot in the semi-finals and a chance for further advancement.

"This is rallycross and you can not affect everything, sometimes you just have to deal with the situation you end up in" says Pontus. "I'm happy with the three problem free heats and this could have been a really great weekend. But with a lineup like this, you can not have as much as one unlucky heat without falling behind in the standings and sometimes four qualifying heats are not enough to fight your way up again."

With his performance this weekend, Pontus also secured the bronze medal in Euro RX, the European championship which has been running parallel to the World RX.

The hectic schedule continues for Pontus. From Italy, he travels straight to France to start preparing for the upcoming week's Rallye de France-Alsace, where he will be back in the WRC2 category for the first time since his victory in Germany in August.

Photo credit: Pontus Tidemand

Euro RX: Robin Larsson with the Audi A1 crowned 2014 Euro RX champion

World RX Press Release

Swedish driver Robin Larsson has won the FIA European Rallycross Championship (Euro RX) at the final round of the series at Franciacorta, Italy and has qualified for the semi-final stages of the World RX event this afternoon.

Larsson entered the final round with a ten point lead over Norwegian Henning Solberg. The pair finished seventh and eighth at the Intermediate Classification to guarantee Larsson the crown in his maiden Supercar season.

“It feels so great to be European champion. We’ve been struggling all weekend with engine problems so we didn’t have the power we wanted. We have just been safe in all four heats and managed to finish them,” said Larsson, who follows in his father Lars’ footsteps by winning the title.

“We’ve finished one goal today, now we want to have a good semi-final and make it to the final. We’ve shown that we can run with the quickest guys in the World RX events. We had a really good race in Germany last weekend, but when the engine problem came at this event we got a little bit worried. We will turn the engine up a bit now we have won the championship. There’s no pressure so I will just go flat out.”

Russian driver Sergej Zagumennov claimed the European Super1600 crown at the Intermediate Classification, while Swede Daniel Lundh sealed his name on the TouringCar championship.

Photo credit: World RX

World RX: EKSRX Audi ready for the Italian Job

EKSRX Press Release

Italy, here we come! After missing the victory in the German FIA World Rallycross Championship round by just 0.005s – less than the size of a GoPro or the diameter of a Red Bull can – EKS RX is ready for the next challenge: In round ten at Franciacorta, EKS RX regular Pontus Tidemand will be joined by wild card driver Edward Sandström for the third time this season. The track is new for RX, so everybody will start at the same level and will have to learn and adapt quickly.

EKS RX founder Mattias Ekström visited Franciacorta earlier this year for the World RX presentation and was able to give some information about the Italian track to Pontus and Edward. The two Audi S1 EKS RX are back in perfect shape and the team has travelled the 1,200 kms directly from Estering to Franciacorta. How do the Italians say? In bocca al lupo!

#5 Pontus Tidemand (SWE) _ RX Events: 6 _ Best result: P4 (Estering 2014)
“I’m really looking forward to Franciacorta – not only because of the perfect Italian food our chef Jonas will serve :-) After three consecutive World RX finals and my best result so far in Germany last weekend, my target for Italy is to reach the podium and go for the victory.”

#79 Edward Sandström (SWE) _ RX Events: 2 _ Best result: P13 (Mettet 2014)
“My goal is to win the event. I know it’s a big task that requires a lot of focus, clean starts and maximum attack through all heats and finals. But Italy is one of my favourite countries and I have a good feeling. I know I have the speed and I can do it.”

@EKSRX tweets

No, there will be no Mini World RX this time at EKS Fridays after the Volkswagen drivers took all our prizes last weekend, but it will be worth to join us again on Friday at 17.00 for drinks, Italian food and chats in the EKS tent ... EKS RX expects once again many guests this weekend including some friends from Audi Sport Italia ... Audi S1 in Italy? Yes, there has been something special in the past: Walter Röhrl scored the only WRC victory of the famous Audi Sport quattro S1 at the Rally San Remo back in 1985. Did you know it had less horsepower than our little S1 EKS RX?

About Italy RX

Location: on the edge of Franciacorta, between Brescia and Lake Iseo
Residents Franciacorta: app. 4,000
Track length: 1,390 m
Direction: clockwise
Turns: 6 (2 left, 4 right)
Max / Min width: 30 / 12 m
Tarmac / Gravel: 60 / 40 %
Laps in Qualifying: 4
Laps Semi & Final: 6
Supercar Entrants: 40

Schedule

Friday, September 26
16.00 Draw for Heat 1 and RX Press Conference
17.00 EKS Fridays

Saturday, September 27
10.00–12.00 Free Practice
12.30 Heat 1 & 2

Sunday, September 28
08.00–09.00 Warm-up
09.15 Heat 3 & 4
15.00 Semi-Finals and Finals

Photo credit: EKSRX

World RX: Tidemand continues the World RX fight in Italy

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

This year's World RX season is starting to come to an end. With only a few events left, the competition intensifies even further and the close battles are heating up. Pontus Tidemand has been so close to the podium several times and with a will of steel, he continues the hunt in this weekend's championship round in Italy.

"I have been in the final in three events in a row and I always go for the victory" says Pontus. "This weekend is a new chance on a track that is new to everybody so I will continue to give everything from the first meter. In the latest events, I have finished sixth, fifth and fourth so statistically it should be time for me to step up on the podium on Sunday!"

In the German event last weekend, EKS had both their Audi S1 EKS RX's in the final and they also got their second podium through Mattias Ekström's second place. The team's hard work is paying off to everyone's big joy and the chances are good to be able to repeat the success this weekend. Pontus has been driving all EKS' events during 2014 and joining him this weekend is Edward Sandström, who is back as a wildcard in his third rallycross event ever.

The tenth round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship has Franciacorta International Circuit as its playground. The circuit is located in Brescia in north-west Italy and this will be the third new track for the championship this year. With its 1390 meters, it is also one of the longest tracks of the year and it consists of 60% asphalt and 40% gravel. The event starts as usual with the first two qualifying heats on Saturday and the last two on Sunday, followed by semi-finals and eventually the final.

Photo credit: Pontus Tidemand

World RX: Ekström 2nd in an historic final

EKSRX Press Release

With a blink of an eye Mattias Ekström finished second just behind Norwegian Petter Solberg in FIA World Rallycross Championship round nine at Estering. The final was epic and is most likely one of the closest finishes in motorsports history with approximately five centimetres separating the two cars on the finish line.

“It’s never nice to loose, but with a gap of 0.005 seconds, I can go to bed and have a nice sleep”, says Mattias. “The whole weekend was a success for us, just the trophy at the end has not the right size. But below the line we are happy. It’s always our aim to have both cars in the final and we did it for the first time here at the home run of our Audi S1 EKS RX.”

With having Pontus Tidemand in fourth position, EKS celebrated its best result so far in World RX. Also the 23-year old Swede was never ranked higher at the end of a World RX event in his entire career. “During the final I battled for the third spot on the podium and it has never been closer in my entire career”, says Pontus after his third consecutive World RX final. “I’m coming closer to the podium. 6th in Belgium, 5th in France, now 4th, you can imagine what my aim for Italy is: doing it onto the World RX podium.

During the weekend there was a lot of traffic around our paddock with friends and fans and it was absolutely amazing to see their eyes shiny at the end of this fantastic race action with an epic showdown. Now our food truck, which was fully loaded on Friday, is completely empty and we won’t loose any time to pack our bags and head over to Italy. In round ten of FIA World Rallycross Championship, Pontus Tidemand and Edward Sandström will enter the brand new track of Franciacorta and push as hard as they can to be at least 0.001 seconds in front of the entire grid in Sunday’s final.

Photo credit: EKSRX

World RX: New personal best for Tidemand in World RX

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

This weekend marks a hattrick of World RX finals for Pontus Tidemand. After a thrilling battle in the German event and a final with historically small margins, he finished in fourth place and once again tops his previous best performance in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Prior to the event at the German circuit Estering, Pontus promised yet another weekend with maximum attack and he did not disappoint anybody. After a jump start resulting in two joker laps in the first heat, he might not have gotten the start he intended, but that did not affect him at all. Already in the next heat he climbed the leaderboard and in the fourth qualifying heat, he was second fastest overall. That lifted him up to seventh place and the semi-finals was secured. Pontus did a brilliant job, finished second in his semi-final and quickly recharged for the final.

The final offered six potential winners on the start line and after an exciting fight, Pontus managed to scoop the fourth place in his Audi S1 EKS RX. This means that he result wise had his best event so far in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

"Any step forward is positive so I am definitely happy with the weekend" says Pontus. "It is such tough competition and you can not afford to relax for even a second. All in all, everything has been working well these two days and it is a really nice feeling to be able to be in the competition all the way from start to finish. But I will not deny that I want more than this and I have already started looking forward to next weekend's event."

To sum it up: the weekend in Germany was a success for EKS. Besides Pontus' fourth place, Mattias Ekström also scored a second place, only 0.005 seconds behind the winner, Petter Solberg. The team will enjoy these results all the way to Italy, where the tenth championship round takes place next weekend.

Photo credit: Pontus Tidemand

World RX: Pontus Tidemand on podium hunt in Germany

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

Two weeks ago, he got his best result so far in the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the confidence is still on top when Pontus Tidemand and EKS gear up for the German round. "We will fight for victory", promises the Swede, who is looking forward to once again challenge the world's finest rallycross drivers.

Pontus has proven to be a competitor to be reckoned with not only in rally, but also in rallycross - in the most recent events, he has made it to the finals and has shown superb driving. He feels at home in his Audi S1 EKS RX and now he is chasing his first World RX podium.

"The last two races have gone really well and in the semi-final in France I had my best RX race ever" says Pontus. "The great feeling when everything works perfectly is still there and we will definitely fight for the win this weekend. We just need the luck to be on our side all the way into the final, which is needed when the battles are so incredibly tight."

World RX of Germany is the ninth round in the series and takes place at Estering, set about 35 kilometers south of Hamburg. This is also a bit of a special event for EKS as Germany is home ground of their Audi. Estering rallycross track is nearly a kilometer in length and the surface consists of 60% asphalt and 40% gravel. The maximum capacity of 10 000 spectators is expected to be achieved as the 40 Supercars compete for the desired podium places on Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend, Mattias Ekström is back behind the wheel of EKS' car number two to follow up his victory from Höljes.

Photo credit: Pontus Tidemand

World RX: Tidemand fifth in France after impressive effort

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

here was nothing but maximum attack in Pontus Tidemand's plan for the French round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend. After an opening day that he describes as the best one in his World RX journey so far, semi-final and final was a fact. The podium was within reach when Pontus caught a puncture in the middle of the ongoing final battle. He finished fifth - and thereby beat his previous best World RX result.

Pontus came to the eighth round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Loheac with confidence and a good feeling about the weekend. There was no doubt that the goal was to offer the competitors a proper fight, something that he incorporated from start. Already in the first of the four qualifying heats, he was second fastest overall and followed it up in the best possible manner with times that put him in third place for the Sunday finals. In the semi-final, he impressed big by quickly taking the lead, holding onto it through all six laps and be the first one to cross the finish line.

In the final, Pontus gave his all, but when he suffered a puncture, there was not much he could do. He ended up fifth overall, but was also rewarded with the Monster Energy Supercharge Award for being fastest to reach the first corner in the Supercar final.

"I have had my best weekend in the World RX so far, both when it comes to the feeling and the top five result" says Pontus. "It is obviously disappointing to be so close when bad luck strikes, but this is rallycross and anything can happen during a race. Apart from the puncture, everything has been running perfectly with the car and the team and I was able to be among the three fastest all through the qualifying heats and also win a semi-final."

Now awaits a short but well deserved recharge for Pontus and EKS before it is time for the next round of the World RX series, which takes place at Estering in Germany in two weeks' time.

Photo credit: Pontus Tidemand

World RX: Tidemand excited for World RX of France

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

Empowered by his WRC2 victory, Pontus Tidemand is confident and ready to get back into the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Good preparations and testing has given him a great feeling and he is looking forward to hit the track in Loheac in France.

Since the last round in Belgium in July, EKS has been dedicated to preparations for the autumn and intensive testing with their Audi S1 EKS RX. It is a team that is 100% ready for its task that arrives to Loheac and Pontus is eager to go flat out on the track:

"I'm really excited to get back in the rallycross car. EKS has been working hard to give me the best conditions possible and we are happy with the testing that we have done. Our development during the season has been very positive and I think we have good chances to succeed this weekend. I was close to finishing on the podium in Belgium and the next step is simply to get a result, which is what I'm aiming for in France."

With the largest number of spectators, the World RX of France is one of the highlights in this year's FIA World Rallycross Championship. The event is held in Loheac, located in the region of Bretagne, and despite the fact that the village only has about 700 inhabitants, it is a Mecca for motorsport fans with an automobile museum as well as four different circuits for rallycross, tarmac karting and quad. The rallycross circuit is build as an arena to give a big audience overview of everything that happens during a race. The track consists of 33% asphalt and 66% gravel and the joker lap is long, fast and includes a jump.

The event takes place 6-7 September and in EKS's second car we will once again find Edward Sandström, who made his rallycross debut in the Belgian round.

Photo credit: Pontus Tidemand

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