Take it all in Argentina

EKS is entering the season finale of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Argentina with a clear aim. Having secured the drivers’ championship, the mission is not yet completed. Mattias Ekström and Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen want to take it all this year, by winning the teams’ championship as well. EKS is leading by 17 points over Team Peugeot Hansen, with a maximum of 56 points available.
 
“It’s still an incredible feeling to be the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Champion,” says Ekström. “We have experienced some outstanding weeks after the triumph at Estering. It’s been a super busy time, but I’ve enjoyed every second. Now it’s time to complete our mission. There is still one trophy up for grabs and we really want to take it home.”
 
Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen is also ready for the action in Rosario: “Last year Argentina was a dusty affair and Q4 had to be cancelled. I really hope that they get it under control, because the track is really nice, especially the first part on the tarmac and the tight chicane. I’m really looking forward to some nice weather as well but trust me, we’re not travelling all the way to South America for holidays.”
 
Keep in mind …
 
EKS can make history in Argentina. Never before has a single team secured both World RX championships in one season. In 2016 Mattias and Topi have celebrated 43 race wins in total so far – 33 in the qualifying runs (Mattias: 22, Topi: 11), 6 in the semi-finals (Mattias: 5, Topi: 1) and 4 in the final (Mattias: 4). 10 times, they set the fastest qualifying time and earned the perfect 50 points (Mattias: 9, Topi: 1). EKS have topped the teams’ standings for 221 days.
 
About Argentina RX
 
Location Circuit Autódromo Rosario, about 300 km northwest of Buenos Aires
Track length 1,033 m (Joker lap: 1,188 m)
Track record Davy Jeanney, 36.644s (2015)
Tarmac / Gravel 60.4 / 39.6 %
Corners 7 left / 8 right
Entrants 17 Supercars
EKS drivers #5 Mattias Ekström, #57 Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen
 
Where to watch live …
 
Sweden SVT Sport (Sunday, 18.00–20.00 CET)
Germany ProSieben FUN (Sunday, 18.00–20.00 CET)
Live stream (Sunday, 18.00–20.00 CET)
 
Schedule, local time (CET)
 
Friday, 25 November
15.00–15.10 (19.00–19.10) Drivers’ draw for Q1
15.10–15.20 (19.10–19.20) Pre-event press conference (with Topi Heikkinen)
 
Saturday, 26 November
09.00–11.00 (13.00–15.00) Free Practice
11.30–12.15 (15.30–16.15) Qualification 1 (Q1)
13.30–14.15 (17.30–18.15) Qualification 2 (Q2)
14.30–15.00 (18.30–19.00) Press conference (top three Supercar drivers after Q2)
 
Sunday, 27 November
09.45–10.15 (13.45–14.15) Warm-up
11.00–11.45 (15.00–15.45) Qualification 3 (Q3)
12.30–13.15 (16.30–17.15) Qualification 4 (Q4)
15.00–15.20 (19.00–19.20) Semi-finals
15.35–15.45 (19.35–19.45) Final
15.50–15.55 (19.50–19.55) Podium ceremony
 
2016 World RX Drivers’ standings (after 11 of 12 rounds)
 
01 Mattias Ekström (S) 251 Pts.
02 Petter Solberg (N) 221 Pts.
03 Johan Kristoffersson (S) 217 Pts.
04 Andreas Bakkerud (N) 210 Pts.
05 Sébastien Loeb (F) 194 Pts.
06 Timmy Hansen (S) 174 Pts.
07 Toomas Heikkinen (FIN) 134 Pts.
08 Timur Timerzyanov (RUS) 104 Pts.
 
2016 World RX Teams’ standings (after 11 of 12 rounds)
 
01 EKS 385 Pts.
02 Team Peugeot Hansen 368 Pts.
03 Volkswagen RX Sweden 283 Pts.
04 Hoonigan Racing Division 271 Pts.
05 World RX Team Austria 206 Pts.
06 Olsbergs MSE 119 Pts.
 
2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar
 
16–17 April Montalegre (P)
07–08 May Hockenheim (D)
14–15 May Mettet (B)
28–29 May Lydden Hill (GB)
11–12 June Hell (N)
02–03 July Höljes (S)
06–07 August Trois-Rivières (CDN)
03–04 September Lohéac (F)
17–18 September Barcelona (E)
01–02 October Riga (LV)
15–16 October Estering (D)
26–27 November Rosario (RA)