BAUMANIS JOINS KYB TEAM JC IN AUDI S1 FOR 2020
Latvia’s Janis Baumanis will compete for the FIA World Rallycross Championship title this season with KYB Team JC, driving an Audi S1 Supercar.
Baumanis will drive in the permanent KYB Team JC squad as team mate to Sweden’s Robin Larsson, to fight for both the World RX Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships.
KYB Team JC’s confirmation as a permanent entry comes thanks to approval from each of the other teams in World RX and the FIA.
Last year, Baumanis took two podiums in his most successful year of World RX so far, since climbing from the FIA European Rallycross Championship for Super1600 for the 2016 season. Racing with Team STARD, in 2019 he took podiums in Norway and Canada.
He will line up alongside 2019 Euro RX Supercar Champion Robin Larsson in latest-specification Audi S1 Supercars.
“I’m excited for a new season with a whole new team. JC Raceteknik and Robin showed last year that they had a good pace in Euro RX, so this year I think we will be even stronger with two good cars in World RX. I can’t wait to get into the latest spec EKS Audi with the latest shock absorbers from KYB. Robin definitely knows the car better than me, but hopefully I can be near his pace as soon as possible,” Baumanis said.
“My previous seasons in World RX have been pretty tough. After four years driving a Ford I’m very excited to change to Audi, it will be a big step that will be quite challenging for me. During the first races there will of course be a bit more focus on the learning process in the new car, but then the goal will be to start from the front of the semi-finals. Of course, the dream is to win. I know it will be difficult, but with fast cars and a good team, there is always the opportunity to make it happen.”
The Latvian has also urged rallycross fans to take care during the global Covid-19 outbreak. “Covid-19 obviously makes it more difficult to prepare for the first event, it is having a huge impact on everyone’s lives. I want everyone to take good care of themselves and listen to the safety directives, and hope we can compete as soon as possible."
Team Principal Joel Christoffersson was quick to thank the other World RX teams for agreeing for KYB Team JC to enter as a permanent entry for 2020. “Being able to start with two drivers in the World Championship feels fantastic, this has long been a dream for me. Thanks to KYB we will start as KYB Team JC and we will continue our technical collaboration with EKS. This investment is a good opportunity for all parties that allows us to develop together.
"This will be brilliant for the whole team, and benefit our Euro RX drivers too. It’s thanks to the approval of all of the other teams in World RX we were allowed to enter both Janis as driver and KYB Team JC as permanent entries, and we are grateful for that,” he said.
Robin Larsson concluded: “It’s great for JC Raceteknik to enter World RX with a two-car team. We will get some more support from EKS and with two Audis on the track being able to compare data, it’s positive for everyone. Not only will we be racing for ourselves, but there’s the teams’ championship to fight for too. During the first races, we will be able to see how we stand up against the other teams. It would be nice to have good results right away and be able to participate in the championship, I’m sure there are going to be many wonderful fights.”
