SUPER1600 CHAMPION AND VICE CHAMPION

MISYULYA WINS THE SEASON'S FINALS, ZAGUMENNOV WINS THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The finals for the FIA European Rallycross Championship Super1600 were held on the new Rallycross track at the Autodromo di Franciacorta near Milan. In Northern Italy, four drivers competed for Volland Racing. All eyes were on the two championship duellers Sergej Zagumennov and Nikita Misyulya. Only 24 points apart, it was clear before the race already that the ECH title would go to one of the two VR Fabia pilots.

The decision was made after the qualification for the finals. Although Misyulya completed them at rank four and thus two places in front of Zagumennov, the latter was impossible to overtake. The duty was done, since Misyulya now also had the vice champion's title for certain.

Denis Salikov was very strong on the very fast course in Brescia, recommending himself for pole position in the semi-finals with two preliminary wins, two second places and a third place. Salikov won the start and led the semi-finals, followed by Zagumennov and Misyulya. He entered the joker lap in the lead, entered the field of the runners-up and lost contact with the peak. "It could have gone so well," explained team boss Rolf Volland, who wanted to bring all three pilots into the finals. Zagumennov won, securing himself pole position for the finals. Misyulya came in third, getting the last ticket for the finals. While this was Salikov's weekend with the most points, the finals of the Top 6 remained closed to him. The two title duellers were joined by Hungarian Kristian Szabo, the winner from the second round –also on a VR Fabia. "Kristian is doing his first Rallycross race. We made the car up to date for him specifically," explains Rolf Volland, who is very happy with the performance of the triple Autocross European Champion.

Sergej Zagumennov wanted to complete his mandatory performance with an impressive freestyle show. His overeagerness put the new European Champion outside the ideal line, however, and he had to let the Super1600 field pass him by in the finals. Misyulya raced forward from the last row, fighting to the end in the course of the race and securing his second victory of the season after the rainy battle in Finland. Kristian Szabo put the Skoda on the platform on the third place – and was overjoyed with the VR Fabia.

"A season that couldn't have been any better," Rolf Volland summarises: "We won five of the nine races. We achieved places one and two in the championships. I have to admit that I have never been as excited about any of my titles as I was this year. I am proud of the VR team!"

The FIA European Rallycross Championship 2014 Super1600 takes place in the scope of the nine European events for the FIA World Rallycross Championship for SuperCars.