Nitiss retains World RX lead ahead of Sweden

Latvian Reinis Nitiss continues to spearhead the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship, running on Cooper tires, having extending his lead in the driver standings last weekend in Finland.
 
Nitiss is currently 14 points ahead of his Ford Olsbergs MSE team-mate Andreas Bakkerud heading into the Volkswagen World RX of Sweden. Meanwhile, 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg is on 80 points just two points behind fellow Norwegian Bakkerud, who claimed victory in Höljes last year.
 
Fresh from Finland to Höljes, the fifth World Rallycross venue of 2014, it’s a gruelling schedule and closely fought championship for the teams as they draw closer to the midway point of the season.
 
In Höljes, which is located 120 miles north of the Swedish city of Karlstad, it has been confirmed that 40 Supercars will be wheel to wheel in front of 30,000 rallycross fans, coming from all over Europe. Described as the jewel in the rallycross crown, Höljes is also known as a drivers’ favorite.
 
Martin Anayi, Managing Director for World Rallycross at IMG Motorsport, said: “This is the event we’ve all been waiting for. Anyone that has been to Höljes to watch rallycross can appreciate just how special it is.
 
“We’ve had four different winners in four events and with a record 40 Supercars this weekend, there’s a very strong chance that we will witness a fifth World RX winner in Sweden. Competition will be extremely high and the smallest mistake in one of the heats could jeopardize drivers a spot in the semis – concentration from the off will be the key to success this weekend.”
 
Marketing Communications Manager for Cooper Tire Europe, Sarah McRoberts, commented: “World Rallycross is a thrilling championship, and Cooper Tires is proud to be associated with such a unique form of motorsport, as the sole tire supplier for the series. With two decades of rallycross experience, we are delighted that Cooper Tires contributes towards the highly entertaining on-track action that is gripping the passionate rallycross fan base across Europe.”
 
For more information on the FIA World Rallycross Championship, visit http://www.rallycrossrx.com/. For further information about Cooper Tires, go to www.coopertire.co.uk.
 
The fifth round of World Rallycross Championship takes place on 05-06 July, followed closely by the third consecutive weekend of World Rallycross action in Belgium on 12-13 July.