World RX: The race to catch up starts in Belgium - EKS Audi

EKS Press Release

EKS is far behind its expectations in the FIA World Rallycross Championship so far. A distance of 42 points to the top of the driver’s standings shows the gap between expectations and reality. First chance for revenge is round three of the World RX campaign, which takes place in Mettet/Belgium. “It’s time to catch up Petter and the other guys at the top”, says Mattias Ekström. “In Mettet we aim for nothing less than maximum points.”

Together with returnee Ekström, who missed the second round in Hockenheim, is Anton Marklund. The Swedish young gun had a difficult weekend in Germany, but is strictly focussed on the next challenge. “The season is not running well so far, but the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro is really good. I have the feeling for the car now and like the track in Mettet where I made it to the final last time”, says Marklund. The Circuit Jules Tacheny is also the first track of the year that EKS has previous experience from. In 2014 the team celebrated a top 6 finish here.

Keep in mind …

After the disappointing performance in Hockenheim EKS went back home to Sweden for a short nap. Get an idea of the team’s condition and meet us for EKS Friday’s, which will start Friday, 15 May at 17.30. The whole team, including Mattias and Anton, would love to welcome you at our place in the World RX paddock.

About Mettet RX

Location: 80 km south-east of Brussels in the region of Wallonia
Residents: app. 13,000
Track length: 1,149 m
Tarmac / Gravel: 69 / 31 %
Supercar entrants: 39
EKS drivers: #10 Mattias Ekström, #92 Anton Marklund

Where to watch live?

UK & Ireland: British Eurosport 2 (as-live Sunday, 21.00 BST)
Sweden: Viasat Motor (Sunday, 15.00–16.00 CEST), TV 10 (Sunday, 15.00–16.00 CEST)
Germany: livestream.com/fiaworldrallycross/round32015belgium (Sunday, 14.00–16.00 CEST)

Schedule (local time)

Friday, 15 May
16.00 World RX Press Conference and Draw for Heat 1
17.30–18.30 EKS Friday’s

Saturday, 16 May
11.00–13.00 RX Open Practice
13.30 RX Heat 1 & 2

Sunday, 17 May
09.00–10.00 RX Warm-up
10.30 RX Heat 3 & 4
15.00 Supercar Finals

Photo credit: EKS

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World RX: Back home - EKS Audi at Hokenheim RX

EKS Press Release

Portugal is far back behind us – just four days, but also 2,000 km. EKS left Montalegre on time and arrived in Hockenheim safely. Round two of FIA World Rallycross Championship will be a special one. 70,000 spectators will watch our two Audi S1 EKS RX quattro competing at the completely new track, which is built in the famous Motodrom of the Hockenheimring. We are a Swedish team, but also German, not least because of our rockets from Ingolstadt. Back home!

Team boss Mattias Ekström won’t be at the wheel this weekend, but he is with the team and will give advice to the drivers Anton Marklund and Edward Sandström. “The to-do list grew in Montalegre and we'll have some changes in place already for Hockenheim”, says Ekström. “I feel confident even though we failed to reach our goals in Portugal. I‘d be worried if the cars didn’t deliver. But we’ve got speed and I’m slightly jealous of Edward and Anton who’ll be behind the wheels this weekend. The EKS team will definitely do everything in its power to deliver results.”

About Hockenheim RX

Location: 20 km south of Mannheim
Residents: app. 21,000
Track length: 1,280 m
Tarmac / Gravel: 60 / 40 %
Supercar entrants: 22
EKS drivers: #5 Edward Sandström, #92 Anton Marklund

Where to watch live …

Germany: Livestream (Sun, 10.30–12.30 CEST)
Sweden: Viasat Sport (Sun, 10.30–13.00 CEST), TV 10 (Sun, 11.30–12.30 CEST), Viasat Motors (Sun, 16.30–18.00 CEST)
UK & Ireland: British Eurosport (Monday, 17.00 BST)

Schedule (local time)

Thursday, 30 April
17.25–18.25 Open Practice
20.00–21.00 EKS Friday’s

Friday, 1 May
13.00 World RX Press Conference and Draw for Heat 1 (with Anton Marklund)
15.45–16.15 Warm-up
16.50–18.45 Heat 1 & 2

Saturday, 2 May
16.10–16.30 Warm-up
16.50–19.00 Heat 3 & 4

Sunday, 3 May
11.25–11.35 RX Warm-up
11.40–12.00 Semi final 1&2
12.10–12.20 Final

Don’t forget to use …

#EKSRX
#gohardorgohome
#WorldRX
#HockenheimRX

Photo credit: EKS

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World RX: FIA World Rallycross Championship race format guide by EKS

Are you following the FIA ​​World Rallycross Championship for the first time, and finding the race format a little bit confusing with multiple heats during each World RX racing weekend?

Do not worry, because EKS has made a very detailed guide of the race format used at FIA World Rallycross Championship racing weekends.

Photo credit:  EKS

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World RX: Mattias Ekström targets World Rallycross title with EKS Audi

EKS Press Release

You know that I’m a person who doesn’t give up easily. My whole life has been a competition. The beginning of 2015 is no exception. So far the challenge has been to bring it all together for the season. One might believe everything would be easier this time around, compared to last year when we had nothing ready. I thought so too, but with everything we want to develop and improve, it has shown that the challenge is not less than before.

Now we know. Registration for the FIA World Rallycross Championship 2015 is submitted and our aim from the start – it still holds true. We want to win. Both on and off the track. I’ll drive enough races to become world champion in the RX, as a driver and team owner. And I really want it.

Most of you already know that Anton Marklund will drive for EKS in 2015. Anton was a frequent diner guest with us during last season. I don’t know if it was the food or the car that attracted the most? Anyway, Anton has come to know the team during the winter while he has ”dry run” his new car in the garage. I am proud as a peacock that Anton has chosen EKS and I will give him all the prerequisite to overtake me.

Without the support that you give me, EKS would not exist. All of you who believed in me last year have shown the same confidence in me and EKS again. What you do means a great deal for me. You will not be disappointed. The whole team and I will offer you world-class entertainment.

Thanks
Mattias

Photo credit: EKS

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World RX: Mattias Ekström welcomes Anton Marklund to EKS Audi team

EKS Press Release

As most of you know, my father Bengt Ekström was a rallycross driver when I grew up. Spending time in the paddock as a child was really my first contact with motorsport. Back then I certainly didn't know how all these weekends at different race tracks around Europe would affect my life later on.

Many years went by, but in 2013 I found myself in Munich, invited by my partner Red Bull, as a wild card driver for the X Games. The car, a VW Polo, was built by Marklund Motorsport. Right there and then I was hooked. I wasn't happy about the result in Munich, but the “RX-bug” got stuck in my system. Two weeks later in Swedish Höljes, backed by the same team, we were able to reach the podium. In front of a euphoric audience I finished runner-up. The rest is, as you know (ongoing), EKS history.

During this intensive period I discovered many things I liked about the Marklund family. Jan, the father, was incredibly generous sharing all his experience in order to give me the best possible conditions. Jan's son Anton, who won the RX European Championship in TouringCars in 2012 also shared his experience, despite the fact that we were, to some extent, competitors. This laid the foundation for the very good friendship that now will have great impact on EKS.

In 2015, Anton Marklund and myself will be the drivers for EKS. It is a fact that makes me really happy. We share the same attitude and we are both ready to put our back into it. Anton really knows what it takes to make it, that’s special. He is also a guy that will go very well with our team and he’s a drivers talent that will help us to be winners.

This solution is a joint effort based on exciting discussions. The team and myself will be responsible for Anton's development as a racing driver. In addition to the World RX Anton will also compete in the Audi TT Sport Cup, as one of two Swedish drivers. This brand new Audi one-make cup is part of the DTM so I have every opportunity to pilot Anton also in circuit racing.

With Anton Marklund on board of the EKS team, we’ve come a long way in our preparations for the 2015 FIA World RX Championships. We work intensively hard with our Audi S1 EKS RX quattro to be ready in time before the season begins in late April in Portugal. The next few weeks we hope to get the remaining pieces in place.

Talk to you soon
Mattias

Photo credit: EKS

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World RX: Anton Marklund joins EKS family

EKS Press Release

Anton Marklund will be at the wheel of an Audi S1 EKS RX quattro in the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship. The 22-year-old Swede joins Mattias Ekström as driver of EKS. “This is an amazing opportunity that Mattias and EKS are giving to me, both to score top results in 2015 and to develop on all levels for my future career”, says Anton.

“Mattias has been a friend of mine since 2013, when we competed together in X Games Munich. He has helped me a lot already in my career and I’m really glad that I now will join the ’family’ of EKS.” In 2015 Anton will drive the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro in World RX and additionally compete in the brand-new Audi Sport TT Cup. Two races of the Audi one-make cup will be held at six DTM events.

Anton started his racing career in folkrace and moved to Rallycross in 2010 and became a professional two years later. In his first full season he earned the European Champion’s title in TouringCars with two top spots and six runner-up positions. Stepping up to a SuperCar in 2013 Anton was seen racing in FIA European Rallycross Championship, X Games, Gymkhana GRiD and Swedish Championship. 2014 was his most successful season so far, competing in X Games and the inaugural FIA World Rallycross Championship in a VW Polo of Marklund Motorsport, finishing 6th overall.

Name _ Anton Marklund
Date of birth _ 09/12/92
Nationality _ Swedish
Hometown _ Boliden
Height _ 1.84 m
Weight _ 83 kg
RX events (SuperCar) _ 21
Best result (SuperCar) _ P2 (Canada 2014) 
Hobbies _ everything with engines, hunting and wildlife 
Motorsport _ since 2006, professional since 2012
Web _ www.marklundanton.com

Photo credit: EKS

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World RX: Mattias Ekström takes Neureuther for a ride on ice with Audi S1 EKS RX

Audi Press Release

• Audi quattro challenge in run-up to the Hahnenkamm Race
• German slalom ace ‘tests’ Mattias Ekström’s Audi S1 EKS RX

Felix Neureuther: “Sensational experience”Ingolstadt/Kitzbühel, January 24, 2015 – A hot test drive in cold Tyrol: On the occasion of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Kitzbühel, slalom ace Felix Neureuther did a few laps at the wheel of DTM star Mattias Ekström’s Audi S1 EKS RX. In a slalom practice with a difference, the skiing star demonstrated that he is a fast learner.

Not far from the legendary ‘Streif’ high-speed downhill course, the two professional athletes found perfect conditions for a new Audi quattro challenge event in the run-up to the Hahnenkamm Race. Ekström served as instructor for the skiing star in the 412 kW (560 hp) Audi S1 EKS RX in which the Swede had won his home round in the FIA World Rallycross Championship last year.

The two-time DTM Champion initially demonstrated the possibilities of the rallycross car and subsequently guided Neureuther across the slippery course with precise commands. Accompanied by the sound of roaring engines, exuberant laughter and loud cheers, the Slalom World Cup leader performed spectacular drifts during which he was able to experience the superiority and safety of quattro drive at the limit.

“This was really great fun today, although I had to sit in the passenger’s seat most of the time,” Ekström said with a wink. “But I just got carried away by the enthusiasm that Felix tackled this challenge with. He did a very good job. After this experience, he knows the optimum cornering position and appreciates how 560 hp and quattro drive feel on snow and ice.”

Neureuther, with a broad grin on his face, said: “I could acquire a taste for this type of slalom. Eki pushed me incredibly hard, so I had maximum fun. This was the craziest ‘final practice’ I’ve ever had and a sensational experience. If not before, I’m now definitely set for the slalom on Sunday.”

Mattias Ekström has to wait a little longer for his first race of the season. The FIA World Rallycross Championship starts at Montalegre (Portugal) on April 25/26, followed by the 2015 DTM season opener at the Hockenheimring (Germany) a week later.

Photo credit: Audi Media

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PHOTOS: Best of EKSRX Audi S1 quattro in 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship

A selection of great photos featuring the EKSRX Audi team in the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship. The Mattias Ekström managed squad entered two brand new Audi S1 quattro cars in the demanding World RX showing strong performances and pace.

Photo credit: EKSRX

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VIDEO: quattro New meets Old - Röhrl and Ekström with the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro

The highly anticipated video featuring Walter Röhrl and Mattias Ekström has gone live on Christmas day.

The RX 'n' Roll Estering video features two motorsport legends going flat out at the Estering RX track in Germany. Mattias Ekström invited Walter Röhrl to try his new Audi S1 EKS RX quattro World Rallycorss car and the video that ensued is well worth the watch. We have embedded the video below, enjoy:

Photo credit: Video screenshot

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VIDEO: ‘Small car big fun’ - Unique Audi S1 duel challenge for Ekki

Factory Audi DTM driver, Mattias Ekström, has been seen in a number of challenges lately, the latest of which included a special race. Mattias Ekström, armed with one of his Audi S1 EKS RX World Rallycross cars, was up against a radio-controlled car sporting an Audi S1 body shell. The small Audi S1 was piloted by two-time German junior RC champion, Micha Widmaier. The two silver machines made for the filming of an exciting video which has been embedded below:

Photo credit: Video screenshot

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World RX: Our season ends in style - EKSRX

EKSRX Press Release

With Edward Sandström entering his first ever semi final in FIA World Rallycross Championship our premiere season in World RX came to a satisfying end. Of course Edward hoped for more in Istanbul, but a broken rear suspension in his semi ruled him out of the close battle for a spot in the last race on the brand new track and he ended up fourth. “First of all I’m happy that I made it to the semis for the first time. That’s where I want to be and where I always should be. Also I’m a bit frustrated, because we could have achieved much more here”, said Edward.

P-G Andersson’s debut for EKS was a very good one, if we could eliminate heat 1. Because of an engine change after the Free Practice P-G missed the first race and had big pressure to go for maximum points in the next three runs. With fresh power he did an impressive job and gave proof of his pace with P2 in the second and P4 in the third heat. The gap for the Top 12 spots shrunk, but at the end he missed the party by just five points. “We had the speed for a top spot. The car is absolutely great, easy to drive, the perfect package”, said P-G.

The on-track season for EKS is over now. Have we reached all our targets? Yes, we think so! Istanbul was our seventh appearance in a semi final during this season. At four out of eight events we advanced to the final and in Germany even both Audi S1 EKS RX were in the battle for the podium. Last but not least we celebrated the memorable “Magic Weekend” with an amazing victory in Höljes. Without racing action there are still plenty of more things to do during the rest of the year. Curious about what we will do? Stay tuned! We will keep you updated on our social media.

Photo credit: EKSRX

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VIDEO: Side by side EKSRX Audi and Peugeot-Hansen in FIA Word Rallycross Championship

Audi vs Peugeot but this is not Le Mans 24 Hours or the old days of Group B era. This is the FIA World Rallycross Championship with two very strong teams. EKSRX with their Audi S1 quattro and Peugeot Hansen with their Peugeot 208 cars.

A great video from Red Bull with a nice inside each of the two teams and how they work. Enjoy!



Photo credit: EKSRX

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World RX: Success for Pontus Tidemand in World RX of Belgium

Pontus Tidemand Press Release

Things have gone in the right direction for every race in the FIA World Rallycross Championship for Pontus Tidemand and EKS. In this weekend's event in Belgium, the development took another step forward when Pontus made it to the final and felt very comfortable in his Audi S1 EKS RX. He got a sixth place overall - but the victory feels closer than ever.

"This is the first race where I have had good starts and I could be in the fight from the first meter and that feels incredibly good" says Pontus who was in the top battle all the way from start by managing to set a 5th fastest time already in Saturday's first heat.

After a fantastic start, Pontus continued the trend and delivered great times in all four qualifying heats. A solid sixth place took him to the semi-finals, where he gave everything and was second fastest overall. In the final, he attacked in the same style and it looked like he was on his way to a podium place when a technical issue occured during the last lap. Pontus got a sixth place, but despite that he won't go home empty handed. This weekend's race is also a part of the European Championship - where Pontus scored a third place and got to step up on the podium on Sunday afternoon.

"To reach a World RX final is like a win in itself when you look at the big picture and that the season began a bit problematic" says Pontus. "The car works great, I liked the track and it has been pure joy to drive this weekend. Nothing is for free in this sport, we have worked our way up gradually and I have done my best in every heat. Now the podium feels so close and I'm really looking forward to continuing the RX series in a couple of months."

After the busiest time of the season, the FIA World Rallycross Championship now takes a short summer break and will be continued in Canada in August. But for Pontus and EKS, the next World RX event will be in France in September. Before that, Pontus will focus on rallying again and participate in Rally Deutschland in late August.

Photo credit: EKSRX

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