Latvian racer Reinis Nitišs is the new leader of the FIA World Rallycross Championship after recording an impressive victory in Hell, Norway.
The Olsbergs MSE Ford driver produced a lights-to-flag drive in the final despite former World Rally champion Petter Solberg applying severe pressure on the rookie in the latter stages.
In the end, the 18-year-old just managed to fend off Solberg for the win, while American Gymkhana star Ken Block came home in third on his World Rallycross debut.
The victory moved Nitišs into a three-point lead at the top of the championship standings as he became the third different winner from as many races this season.
“This is amazing, just amazing,” said Nitišs. “I will not forget this. I was racing in front of two stars and finished ahead of a World Champion. My aim at the start of the season was to finish in the top 12, I really didn’t imagine I could win.”
Nitišs led the proceedings at the end of the first day but it was Brit Liam Doran, who topped the Intermediate Classification after the four heats.
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve just missed out on a semi-final berth after finishing in 15th spot for Albatec Racing. The French-Canadian was driving Andy Scott’s Peugeot 208 Supercar after rolling his car in a test prior to the event.
Nitišs was involved in another tight battle in the second semi-final as he pipped Timmy Hansen by 0.014s to the win. Block was third ahead of Toomas Heikkinen, Lydden Hill winner Andreas Bakkerud and Emil Ohman.
The FIA World Rallycross Championship moves Finland for round four on June 28-29.
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