Fabien Pailler Jr to contest European Rallycross Championship

Pailler Jr won the French Rallycross Championship this season, and plans graduate to international competition next year, driving a Peugeot 208 for his father's Pailler Competition concern.

"This French national title this year was the result of several months of hard work from our whole team, but we feel it's now time to move to the higher level and the European Championship is our next goal.

"For our team, it's important to be present in RallycrossRX to show what we are able to do," said the Frenchman.

"We need new challenges and a new source of motivation. From my own point of view, I also need to benchmark my driving ability against the best drivers in the world.

"This is the only way to pursue my personal improvement as a driver."

Pailler won three rounds of the French series this season, and finished on the podium seven times.

He made his European debut at his home circuit at Loheac last year but crashed out of the semi-final at the first corner.

He twice contested World Rallycross events and just missed out on the semi-finals on both occasions.

Predominately backed by French brands, Pailler will also race at national level next season.

"We will probably also include some nationals events next year too, which makes sense for our partners but we are going to push at European level," he said.

Hoping to join Pailler in a Supercar in European rallycross next year is 2014 French Super1600 champion Cyril Raymond, who claimed the championship at his first attempt in the category.

He plans to move up to Supercar straight away.