World RX of Riga
World RX of Riga
World RX

NITIŠS WINS CHAMPIONSHIP, OTHER LATVIANS STRUGGLE IN NESTE WORLD RX OF LATVIA

RĪGA, LATVIA
16/09/2018

Neste World RX of Latvia, round 9 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, concluded in the CSDD Biķernieki circuit. Latvian driver Jānis Baumanis finished the event in fourteenth place, adding three points to his championship total. Reinis Nitišs concluded the FIA European Rallycross Championship Supercar class season with a victory, claiming the championship title as well. In the Super1600 class of the FIA European Championship, Artis Baumanis finished seventh overall after contact at the start of the semi-final, while Arnis Odiņš moved up to seventeenth place after having some technical issues on Saturday.

In Q3, Jānis Baumanis started from the middle and managed to get by Liam Doran, moving up to second place. Afterwards, there was contact between both cars and Jānis concluded his race in fourth. With a fantastic manoeuvre at the start of Q4, Jānis managed to avoid the battles at the start, getting by multiple drivers, but car issues prevented him from finishing higher than fourteenth. That is also the spot he earned after qualifying, staying outside the semi-finals.

Jānis Baumanis: “I really wanted to reach the semi-final. Today, I did well in the first corner both times, but was not happy with the rest of my runs. The only thing that I am happy about is fan support, it was absolutely incredible. After Q3, we even went to the stewards, as Liam Doran hit my car so hard that the rear bumper was moved inwards by 20 centimetres. Two of my wheels were also damaged. After the hit, I had to survive on the track, as the issues were most felt in left-hand corners, which is what the track consists of. I also could not use full power of the engine. We had the same issues with straight line speed in Q4 as well. Thank you for the support to everyone in the stands and by the TV screens.”

Reinis Nitišs had a solid showing throughout the day. By using the advantage of having pole-position, Nitišs won his race in Q3, which was enough to be in the overall lead at that point. Even though Nitišs spun in the first corner of Q4, the SET Promotion car was prepared perfectly, making it possible for the Jēkabpils native to claw his way back to a fourth quickest time. With that, he had earned enough points to become the European champion. Fuelled by the energy of the fans, Nitišs continued thrilling spectators by winning his semi-final and then repeating the success in the final as well. His third win of the year means that he finishes the championship 34 points ahead of his closest competitor, Anton Marklund.

Reinis Nitišs: “This weekend was very tough. We arrived to Rīga with a 26-point lead. On the one hand, we were very close to the championship, but at the same time we know how quickly things can change in rallycross. There was a lot of stress. In Q1, I started on the outside in the same race as Cyril Raymond and Thomas Bryntesson. After the heat, we understood that everything will be fine and breathed a sigh of relief. After Q4, I had claimed the championship title. This is a very big an important milestone in my life. I did not let the emotions get the best of me and focused on the rest of the race. After winning the semi-final, I did my absolute best in the final from the green light all the way to the finish. And I did it! Only three tenths of a second separated me from second place. It was a hard-fought battle, but I would like to thank my team for a job well done. I can look at myself in the mirror and say that I did everything I could.”

In the European championship for Super1600 front-wheel drive cars, Artis Baumanis got off to a good start of the day, leading his Q4 race from start to finish, which put him in the first row of his semi-final. There, he had a good reaction off the line and was momentarily in second place, but contact with competitors spun his Audi A1 around. Even though Baumanis caught up to third placed Hungarian Zsolt Szijj-Jolly, he did not manage to get by, concluding his semi-final in fourth place and missing out on the final.

Artis Baumanis: “We had found the necessary pace and were ready to battle today. In the first corner of my semi-final, I was in second place. Not sure what the guys behind were thinking, but I was hit from behind, which damaged my rear suspension, followed by a hit to the front of the car, damaging the radiator. Luck was not on our side this time. Afterwards, I had to battle with a car that did not drive straight. At least I got to see the amazing support from all the Latvians in the grandstands. Official tests in the summer really helped, as this is a very demanding track where every little mistake can get you out of your rhythm and affect your result. Thank you to everyone for the support! We will continue fighting and hoping for a good result in Germany!”

Arnis Odiņš also took part in Q4 today. Showing consistent pace, he demonstrated that Saturday’s technical issues were now behind him. With a sixteenth quickest time in Q4, he moved up two spots in the standings, concluding Neste World RX of Latvia in seventeenth position.

Arnis Odiņš: “I am happy with how Q4 went. I was among very quick drivers, which seems to be the right place to be. I managed to find some pace by the end, but there was a chance to be even higher. At this level, it is nearly impossible to reach the semi-final if you retire from one of the heats. Of course, the event itself was great – lots of spectators and perfect weather. The only small blemish there is disappointment with my own result.”

FIA World Rallycross Championship event Neste World RX of Latvia, taking place on September 15 and 16, 2018, is possible thanks to title sponsor Neste, as well as the Latvian Ministry of Science and Education, Live Riga, and our partner Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD).

🗒 RESULTS_ ŠEIT

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