[tbtstt]

Last years rallycross weekend in Lohéac rated as one of the best motorsport events I’ve ever been to, so when I got offered a ride there again this year I couldn’t say no. I also managed to get Media access again, so many pictures were taken. Here are some of my faves…







The biggest name on last year’s entry list – especially in the eyes of the local fans – was wildcard driver Sebastien Loeb. Sadly Loeb wasn’t in attendance this year but the driver taking Loeb’s place on the advertising hoardings was arguably just as well known…



…following his World Rallycross debut in Norway, Ken Block was back to sample European rallycross again and attempt to better his third place finish in Hell. (Hell is the name of the rallycross track in Norway in case you were wondering!)



I have heard a lot of people scorn Block, but I think even the harshest critics were silenced by his performance over the weekend. Fastest in timed practise on a track he had never driven before, Block made the Semi Finals despite incurring a time penalty in the first set of heats for missing his “joker” lap.



Even if you don’t like the driver, you have got to like his car. Block’s Fiesta is a serious bit of engineering and with M-Sport involvement in the build is arguably the most developed Supercar on the grid. A lot of the Supercars sound good on the overrun, but Block’s Fiesta sounded utterly savage: I want it! (though I’ll have mine in plain white please)



Hansen Motorsport switched from Citroen to Peugeots at the start of this year. They have had a lot of glitches to iron out, but with the cars sorted they were the team to beat at Lohéac. As an ex-circuit racer this circuit is perfect for Timmy Hansen and he posted fastest times in heats 1, 2 and 3.





Mattias Ekstrom is now running a rallycross team (EKSRX) as well as competing in the DTM. It’s generally expected to take a new team a few races to get to grips with a new car, but the EKS A1’s have been quick straight out of the box.

Due to a DTM race running this weekend Ekstrom was unable to drive, so his car was in the hands of Edward Sandstrom instead.





Henning Solberg trying to find a way round his younger brother. Henning was actually bloody quick, but car problems in heat 1 and 4 left him out of the running.





Evan Libner grabbing another gear: not the photo I was trying to get, but quite a good moment (I thought!).







Last year’s French RallycrossRX round had a huge entry and this year the paddock area was again packed with cars. France has a very strong national rallycross Championship (arguably the strongest in Europe) and both the Supercar and Super 1600 classes were bulked out by French entries.



It wasn’t just the natives who had someone to shout for though. There were loads of UK drivers to cheer on, including Kevin Procter, debuting his brand new Ford Fiesta …



… Ollie O’Donovan, fresh from victory at Lydden Hill…



…and David Binks, who was making his return to Supercars after nearly two years absence from the upper tier of rallycross.





Andy Scott ended up the highest placed UK driver, 12th overall, he wasn’t quite quick enough to make it to the Final though.





Lunchtime entertainment was provided by Vaughn Gittin Jnr. and his exceptionally awesome sounding Mustang.