Ole Christian Veiby did not have the margins on his side during the second round of the European Rallycross Championship and it all ended after the semi-finals. Nevertheless, the result is good enough to remain in the top standings overall. Ahead of the three last Euro RX rounds, he is in third place.
June 21, 2015
Ole Christian Veiby did not have the margins on his side during the second round of the European Rallycross Championship and it all ended after the semi-finals. Nevertheless, the result is good enough to remain in the top standings overall. Ahead of the three last Euro RX rounds, he is in third place.
“This was disappointing. On this track there is so little difference between success and failure. I would still not call the weekend a failure, because we got so many points from the qualifying heats that we are third overall” said Ole after the Euro RX round at Estering in Germany.
The 19-year-old, who competes for Volkswagen Team Sweden, felt a bit rusty when he started the weekend in his Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar at the German Euro RX round. He definitely noticed that it has been over a month since his last event, and that was a rally.
“I think it took me too long to find the pace I wanted” said Ole, who was not held back by his broken hand. On Wednesday he got his cast removed.
“My hand worked surprisingly well, so I can not blame that” he commented.
Although he was not happy with his driving in the opening rounds, he worked up the pace gradually and was the third fastest driver going into the semi finals. And it was a very close and exciting semi-final heat. Ahead of the race, the young Norwegian predicted that the first corner would be crucial and he was right.
“I did not get a perfect start and ended up behind Tommy Rustad going into the first corner. But I was pushed to the side and fell behind in the field. I fought back to fourth place in the semis, but unfortunately I did not qualify for the final” explained Ole.
Even though he is disappointed with the weekend’s race, he can still be pleased about getting points to add to the overall standings, all thanks to his great times in the first heats.
“My goal this season is to get a Euro RX medal, and although I lost ground to Tommy Rustad and Jérôme Grosset-Janin in the standings, I still have a good chance to score a medal. A lot can still happen – we are not even half way through the championship. It is all about being in absolute focus in each and every round” he pointed out.
The next round in the European Rallycross Championship takes place in Hell, Norway, in late August – on a track that Ole has never raced on before.
But first awaits the World RX round in Höljes in Sweden in two weeks.
“I competed in Höljes last year and the party that awaits us there is just indescribable. I think it will be the highlight of the season. Thousands of Norwegians usually travels there and I would recommend anyone who has the opportunity to take a trip across the Swedish border to experience the atmosphere” said Ole.
FIA European Rallycross Championship
15-17 May, Mettet, Belgium
19-21 June, Estering, Germany
21-23 august, Hell, Norway
18-20 September, Barcelona, Spain
16-18 October, Franciacorta, Italy