Larsson shows fast pace in Riga World RX, Öhman robbed of Euro RX final

JC Raceteknik driver Robin Larsson showed fast pace in the Latvian round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship while Mats Öhman just missed out on final place in Riga’s FIA European Rallycross Championship round.

After securing the European Championship Supercar title at Loheac in France Larsson and the JC Raceteknik team stepped up to World RX at Riga in Latvia, instead of racing in the last round of Euro RX to test their speed against the regular World RX competitors. Larsson showed good pace throughout the weekend, but a disqualification after an incident in Q2 made it impossible to qualify for the semi-finals. After the event, Larsson was presented with the 2019 European Supercar Champion’s trophy.

Mats Öhman, who normally competes for the team in RallyX Nordic, made the jump into Euro RX Supercar this weekend. There he impressed from the first free practice with his pace, won heat races and set top four times. In the semi-finals, while in third place and on his way to the final, Öhman was turned around by another driver. The rival was disqualified, but Mats got stuck in the gravel at the side of the track and couldn’t continue. He therefore finished eighth place in the event and first reserve for the final.

Find full results and championship standings here.

The team is now preparing for the final round of RallyX Nordic at Tierp Arena next weekend, where Larsson is just four points behind the leader and is targeting the title.

Joel Christoffersson, Team Principal:
“We had a great season with Robin in the European Championship, together with all of our sponsors, so to collect the champion’s trophy felt really nice. Now we hope to end the year with a gold for Robin in RallyX Nordic too.

The event itself here in Riga was fun for us in World RX. We set times around fifth, sixth and seventh, which was roughly according to expectations. Then unfortunately a decision went against us, which meant we couldn't make it to the semi-finals. But sometimes that’s how it is in rallycross. Mats had a great event in Euro RX from start to finish, with great starts and heat times. Unfortunately, he was pushed off the track when he was third in the semi-finals. That was really a shame, because Mats deserved the final this weekend."

Supercar: Robin Larsson (SWE) :
“This weekend we clearly had the speed and were among the top six or seven without major problems. If you want to keep up with the guys in World RX, you really have to push, and I think we have stepped up the pace further compared to how it was in France.

Then there was the disqualification in Q2. It's a tough first corner and we got tight into it. There was some contact but I was first and held my line, while the other drivers held the gas and wanted to go through. Everything happened so quickly and from my point of view I could not have done different, but the judges thought otherwise. It’s frustrating that it cost me the semi-final spot, but it’s nothing I will get bogged down in.

Now all focus is on RallyX Nordic in Tierp. That's when it really matters. I think we’ve got the right feeling and should obviously try to score points to win the championship. I'm up for it."

Supercar: Mats Öhman (SWE) :
“Racing in the European Championships has been great fun, it's a big event with a large crowd and a good track. The starts have started to be good now, and it helps getting to know the car more and more. In Q2 I took the start and then it was a really good time, it’s noticeable that this is a really good car.

In the semi-finals I climbed up to third, but then another driver drove into the back of the car and I ended up in the gravel. That’s a big shame, but sometimes it is like this. The next event will be Tierp. We did a test there and then I was really happy with the car on that track, so I’m looking forward to it. As always, I want to thank the team that does a good job and delivers a good car. Also congratulations to Robin who got his European gold this weekend, he deserves it.”