Manthey Racing’s “Grello" in all its glory ready for the Zurich 24h Nürburgring race.

Volkswagen Motorsport, Marklund Motorsport and the FIA World Rallycross Championship

Swedish Rallycross team Marklund Motorsport have agreed an exclusive three-year partnership with Volkswagen Motorsport (current World Rally Championship champions) for the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Marklund Motorsport recently unveiled 2013 GRC Champion Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen as their lead driver for next two seasons and Topi along with teammate Anton Marklund will line-up in their new Marklund Motorsport Volkswagen Polo RX Supercars at round one of the FIA World Rallycross in Montalegre, Portugal on May 3rd.

Jan Marklund, Marklund Motorsport team owner, believes Volkswagen's involvement gives the team the perfect platform to back-up its ambitions for title success. He said "Volkswagen’s pedigree in motorsport is there for everyone to see, there is no better manufacturer for us to be partnered with than the current WRC champions. Volkswagen is looking to make an immediate global impact in the world of Rallycross and I’m happy that Marklund Motorsport is their chosen partner for the FIA World Rallycross Championship."

The announcement comes just days after the officially supported Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team announced it was contesting the Global Rallycross Championship with a pair of Polos before switching to new GRC specific Beetles later in the season. With support from Volkswagen America the team will be pushing for the championship title with drivers Tanner Foust and Scott Speed.

Marklund Motorsport in the FIA World Rallycross Championship

 
Swedish Rallycross outfit Marklund Motorsport is delighted to announce that 2013 GRC Champion Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen will lead the team in their bid for title success this coming season. The 22-year-old Finn signs for Marklund Motorsport on the back of a dominant season behind the wheel – taking two X Games gold medals, AKK Driver of the Year and the overall GRC title - and joins the team alongside Anton Marklund, who now heads into his second season in the Supercar Class.

Heikkinen, Marklund and the team will debut brand new Marklund Motorsport-built Volkswagen Polo RX Supercars in 2014 following a year of testing and developing the car last season, the team are aiming to be immediate title contenders in both driver and team championships.

Marklund Motorsport now continue their preparations for the 2014 season, which will see them compete in the newly formed FIA World Rallycross Championship and the summer X Games at COTA in Austin, USA.

Rallycross RX 3rd Round, Hungary

Swedish driver Anton Marklund finishes 8th in Nyirad, proving that he’s part of the team of young drivers that will clearly make their mark on rallycross.

This weekend saw thousands of rallycross fans congregate to sunny Nyirad, Hungary, to witness the fuel-filled excitement the third round of the FIA European Championships brought to the track.

Anton, who with 20 years of age is the youngest driver in the Supercar class, impressed with consistent quality driving and speed that meant even long-established competitors were left in the dust. 

Despite some trouble with the steering throughout practice, a tricky start and an involuntary stop due to a spin in front of him during the first two heats, Marklund managed to qualify for the semi-finals in 3rd overall position, having won his third heat and showing great tactical and technical understanding throughout.

A slight hesitation at the start in the semis lead to Marklund being stuck behind Skoda driver Knut Ove Borseth who finished third and grabbed the final place in the finals. Marklund ended the semi-finals in fourth position, finishing this round of the Championships overall in 8th.

“I made a mistake at the start, leaving room on the inside for Borseth to get in front of me – he was driving very safe from then on, leaving me no opportunity to get past him. I’m happy with today’s performance though. This being my first season driving Supercar, I’m taking all this as learning experience. The car is going really well, and I feel we’re improving every time”, comments Anton, “I’m looking forward to showing Finland what we’ve got.”

Marklund and his No. 92 Volkswagen Polo R Supercar are now on 42 points and in 4th position in the Championships, one point ahead of Rallycross legend Petter Solberg. 

{photo QNIGAN.COM}