EKS Audi Sport has presented the second-generation Audi S1 EKS RX Quattro at Silverstone, Mattias Ekström and his new teammate, Andreas Bakkerud, will take the car into the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship
The EKS team will be on the grid with two all-new Audi S1 EKS RX Quattro cars this year, with Audi Sport playing a greater role as EKS looks to compete for the top honors this campaign. When Audi Sport came on board in 2017 the focus was primarily placed on development work and support for tests and races, but the development of the now 580hp Audi S1 EKS RX Quattro, including a new aerodynamics package to enhance performance, has been the focus ahead of the 2018 season.
“With intensified support from Audi we intend to battle for victories as well as for the World RX titles in the drivers’ and teams’ championship again,” said Audi factory driver Ekström of his and Team EKS Audi Sport’s goals for the coming season.
“This prospect is one of the reasons why Audi continues intensifying its commitment in the World Rallycross Championship this year,” added Audi Motorsport head Dieter Gass.
Ekström formed his rallycross team EKS at the beginning of 2014 and went on to lead it to the top of the world’s ranking within the space of just three years. In 2016, EKS won the drivers’ and teams’ world championships, and in the 2017 season, Ekström, after having scored four victories, celebrated the runner-up’s spot in the championship with EKS placing third in the teams’ classification.
The Rallycross Championship calendar features a total of 12 rounds on three continents (Europe, North America, Africa) and kicks off this year in Barcelona, Spain, on April 14-15. For 2020, the series is planning to switch to fully electric powertrains.
