Andréas Eriksson ready for the European Championship premiere
Not even the storm clouds from volcanic eruptions in Iceland can stop Andréas Eriksson in his quest for European Championship success. Despite some logistical challenges Andréas Eriksson and OMSE stand on the starting line when the 2010 European Championship season kicks off at the Portuguese Montalegre-track on Saturday. Eriksson is aiming to copy last year's result – to win.
Montalegre is located in northern Portugal in stunning scenery with mountains and valleys. OMSE have happy memories of the place where the team took home last year’s race despite many setbacks over the weekend. In front of 17 000 spectators OMSE made a heroic team effort and managed to turn difficulties into success. Then the car was untested and much was new. Although this year's car is new also the team is now more familiar with the model. Pre-season testing has been performed at Lydden Hill in southern England and at Strängnäs Motor Stadium in Sweden. Two successful test occasions, which gave the team the answers they needed.
Now the season is here and it is time for all drivers and teams to show what they got. In Portugal we will get some idea of where the teams stand. At the same time we must not forget that the season is long.
OMSE are responsible for three cars in Portugal. Andréas Eriksson in the OMSE Fiesta, Kjell Arne Smerud in the Mad Croc Fiesta and Tanner Foust in the Rockstar Energy Fiesta.
OMSE’s Andreas Eriksson about the season opener: "It feels really good. The car feels fast, it's always an adjustment when the car is new. Preparations feels like the best ever for me personally. I am going to Portugal to defend my victory, I feel comfortable on the track. In addition, Portugal is pleasant it is little different from what we are accustomed to in the European Championship circus ".
Kjell Arne Smerud about the season opener: "I long for the season opener, I'm very hungry, and expectations are high. If the car works well I will be with many of the A-finals. I expect to be among the other top drivers. My impression of the car is very good and there is great potential to drive fast with it”.
Rockstar Energy Rallycross team, Tanner Foust about season opener: "I am going to Europe to learn the sport of rallycross. I think it looks like a kick in the ass. I want to have fun and I want to see what the mean little fiesta that we had at the X Games is built to do. I’m going to go to school on the races out there for the first few events. It’s great to work with Andréas Eriksson, one of the best drivers in the series. I look forward to the coaching".
Mats Lysen, OMSE youth talent: "It feels really fun and exciting to try the largest class. It is incredibly fast cars so it will probably take some time getting used to, but it will be exciting. The goal of the season is to be in the top 10 in total and to run some A-finals. I think we can keep up very well in individual races, when everything works ".
About OMSE
OMSE (Olsbergs MSE AB) is a company that develops, constructs and run cars for rallycross and extreme sports. The company was formed in 2009 when the hydraulics company Olsbergs and Andréas Eriksson’s MSE formed Olsbergs MSE AB. Andréas Eriksson is Managing Director of the company that since its start has steadily expanded the number of employees. OMSE are working on an international basis. Currently with the European Rallycross Championship, Rally America and the X Games in the U.S. Kenny Bräck won the 2009 X Games with an OMSE built Fiesta.
