MULTIPLE WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPION YVAN MULLER TO RACE IN WORLD RX

July 13, 2015 by FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy

Four-time World Touring Car Champion (WTCC) Yvan Muller is the latest star to show interest in the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy after the Frenchman has confirmed he will race at this year's World RX of France (Loheac, 4-6 September) in an Albatec Racing prepared Peugeot 208 Supercar.

Muller, who is also a former British Touring Car Champion and ten-time Andros Trophy winner, will make his rallycross debut with Albatec Racing alongside current Euro RX championship leader, and fellow countryman Jerome Grosset-Janin.

Team-mate to Sebastien Loeb in WTCC, who also contested the French RX round two years ago, Muller has been released by Citroen to join the Scottish-based team during a break in his schedule. Muller has already undergone a test with Albatec at Faleyras in France where he was immediately setting competitive times.

'I've wanted to do rallycross for a long time, it's been on my mind for four or five years, but I didn't have the opportunity, the good opportunity, or the time to do it,' explained Muller. 'I'm really looking forward to doing Lohéac, firstly it's very well known in France, and rallycross now is at a high level, so I think it's just the right time to do it. The test with Albatec in Faleyras was good. It was my first experience, so I learnt and saw much more how rallycross is, what it's all about.'

Muller will join Albatec at a second test at Loheac in August, in preparation for the French RX round which last year was attended by more than 70,000 people. The star driver's participation this year looks likely to add further interest in Loheac, with tickets already on sale here.

Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Team Principal, commented: 'I'm very excited about Yvan joining us at what is the biggest rallycross event on the 2015 schedule. We had a great result there last year, reaching the semi-finals, while in 2013 Kris Meeke showed everybody the potential of our Peugeot 208 RX Supercar. We had a very successful test with Yvan, he's totally committed, and obviously an incredibly fast and professional driver, who will I'm certain fit in very well with the team and indeed rallycross. Having an all-French line-up, aboard French cars, at the biggest event on the French rallycross calendar will I'm sure contribute to the amazing atmosphere the event always attracts.'

Martin Anayi, World RX Managing Director for IMG, added: 'We are delighted that Yvan has confirmed his wildcard entry for Loheac. The World RX paddock is a playground of champions with drivers from various motorsport disciplines including F1, WRC, DTM, X Games, Pikes Peak and Formula Drift. It's fantastic to be able to include a World Touring Car Champion to our list of drivers who are clearly interest in the rising popularity of our sport. The Loeb effect from 2013 was phenomenal and it's likely that Yvan's participation this year will attract a record number of spectators at Loheac.'