Maiden victory for Lysen in Norway

This season’s European Rallycross Championship continued to provide unpredictable excitement in Norway last weekend where Mats Lysen scored a popular maiden victory on home soil.

The 19-year-old became the youngest winner in the championship’s history, beating then 20-year-old Piet Kruythof’s record set in 1977 at Valkenswaard in Holland.

Lyson, at the wheel of a Helmia Motorsport-run Renault Clio, was the fourth winner in as many Division 1 events this year after passing pole-sitter Sverre Isachsen on the final lap.

A re-start was initially needed following Tanner Foust’s collision with Timur Timerzyanov on the opening lap that ended the American’s involvement there and then. But once action got underway, it was clear Lyson would be a threat after taking his Joker Lap on the opening tour.

Isachsen meanwhile opted to run longer and didn’t take the alternative route until the race’s last lap, by which time Lysen had done enough to reel in and pass his fellow countryman.

Timerzyanov survived his contact with Foust to complete the podium positions, and in doing so assume the championship lead, with Stig-Olov Walfridsson and Toomas Heikenen rounding out the top five. 

A number of the championship’s leading lights failed to shine in Norway with erstwhile championship leader Frode Holte, Liam Doran and Andréas Eriksson all failing to progress through to the A Final. Just four points therefore cover the top five in the standings.

Ildar Rakhmatullin somehow upset the Division 1A formbook to topple team mate Andreas Bakkerud who had looked imperious throughout the weekend. But after taking his Joker Lap first, the Norwegian lacked the pace of the Russian, who qualified through the backdoor after winning the B Final.

Jussi-Petteri Leppilhalme completed the Set Promotion podium lock-out on his first appearance in the championship.

Division 2 meanwhile went the way of Lars Øivind Enerberg for the fourth time in as many events this season, although he was pushed all the way by reigning champion Derek Tohill who qualified via the B Final. Ole Habjorg was third.

The championship continues in Sweden next weekend.

Catch European Rallycross Championship coverage on Motors TV throughout 2011.

Tom Hornsby