Sami-Matti Trogen fourth in Belgium – puncture couldn’t stop him
In the second round of the RX2 International Series in Belgium in Spa, racing on the new rallycross track at one of the world’s most famous circuits, reigning RX Academy Champion Sami-Matti Trogen battled through the weekend in traffic after being forced to start on the outside of the grid for most of the event. He raced a four-wheel drive car in wet conditions for the first time on Saturday on first qualifications.
- This weekend went almost the same as Spain two weeks ago. On the first day it was tough, but the second day was much stronger. It was a good recovery from being stuck in traffic in Q1, but it’s really hard when you are always starting on the outside. The first corner here is quite tight with dirt on the outside, so it’s really hard to keep your position, says Sami-Matti Trogen.
Trogen fight his way all the way to the final, made a strong start from the back row and battled for a place on the podium but suffered a puncture on the final lap. He did very well to maintain position and finished fourth, at the same time getting himself on the fourth place in the series points.
- The final was going well but the puncture was really bad luck. I needed to overtake the guy in front to get onto the podium, but that’s how it goes. The next race is in Silverstone, I’ve already raced there last year, it helps to know the track and we need to be on it from the start of the first day, that’s the main thing for us, Trogen continues.
This time – while usual spotter Joni Wiman was also competing in Spa in the GRX team with Supercar – spotter and engineer of Sami-Matti Trogen was SET Promotion RX2 Crew Chief Kalle Pinomäki.
- The weekend was overall good and the result in the end was really good, but the starting positions on the outside weren’t so easy. It was the first time for Sami-Matti in this car racing in the wet, so we were learning on Saturday and he improved all the time. I’m really impressed with Sami-Matti’s performance this weekend and in the final he was really pushing to be on the podium. It’s a shame he got the puncture, but these things happen. Now for the next race at Silverstone we need to make things better to be ready for the big fight from Q1, ends Pinomäki.
The next round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and RX2 International Series will take place at Silverstone in the UK on 24th – 26th of May.