DTM racer Mattias Ekstrom to run own team in World Rallycross
Double DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom has set up his own team to compete in the World Rallycross Championship
The Swedish driver has revealed that his new EKS squad, based in Stockholm, is preparing for a number of World Rallycross events this season.
"I grew up in a rallycross paddock and I have raced my way across the globe for more than 20 years," said Ekstrom, who is not expected to contest a full rallycross campaign thanks to four clashes with the DTM. "Now is the right time to start my own team.
"Rallycross is a sport that honours the fans and the team loves that. The EKS team is a celebration of everything I love about racing: the passion, enthusiasm and joy. And, of course, professionalism and preparation.
"I have brought together great professionals and long-time friends who love the challenge and understand what it takes to win. They want to win as much as I do."
Ekstrom, whose father Bengt competed in the European Rallycross Championship, contested his home round of the 2013 European series at Holjes and finished second in a Marklund Motorsport VW Polo.
"Thanks to [championship promotor] IMG's involvement, interest is bound to grow both in the short and long term," added Ekstrom, who has yet to confirm which car EKS will run.
"I spent a large part of the 1980s and early 1990s in rallycross paddocks with my dad. Racing is in my genes, but with EKS I'll do my best to go beyond what has been done before."
The full-time World Rallycross entry will be announced next week at the Franciacorta International Circuit in Italy at the championship's launch.
Previous article
Anton Marklund enters Summer X Games in America
Next article
Eric Faren graduates to Supercar for 2014 World Rallycross
About this article
| Series | World Rallycross |
| Drivers | Mattias Ekström |
| Teams | EKS RX |
| Author | Hal Ridge |
From Lebanon to cross-category world titles - a rally legend's top 10
Petter Solberg has called time on his top-flight career after winning titles in two FIA world championships. Here, the 2003 rally and '14/15 rallycross king recalls his 10 best events - including the moment where all his success began
How to make an F1 venue fit for World RX
World Rallycross makes its first appearance at Silverstone this year as part of the 'Speedmachine' festival in May. We take a look at how the new rallycross track fared in its debut event
Volkswagen hasn't disappeared completely
Volkswagen's abrupt departure from the World Rally Championship it was dominating was one of the winter's biggest shocks. Now 2003 WRC champion Petter Solberg's World Rallycross team has VW support. What does that mean for World RX and what remains of Volkswagen Motorsport?
Why rallycross is becoming irresistible
Sebastien Loeb started a new journey in his motorsport career last weekend, but he wasn't the only attraction in Portugal. DAVID EVANS examines why the World Rallycross product works so well
How good is World Rallycross?
The entries are strong, the cars are powerful and it can teach the WRC a thing or two about promotion. But after visiting the Lydden Hill round, DAVID EVANS still has his doubts
New rallycross golden age comes to Britain
The sport began at Lydden in the late 1960s and this weekend the new-look World Rallycross Championship will strut its stuff at the Kent venue. HAL RIDGE explains why it will be unmissable
Solberg: why rallycross is my future
PETTER SOLBERG had a rough first season back in rallycross, but that hasn't deterred him from signing up for the first year of its new era in 2014, as he explains in his AUTOSPORT column
Solberg: back to school
Petter Solberg says that there's still lots to learn about running a successful rallycross campaign, but he's really enjoying getting back to his roots
