FIA World Rallycross team EKS will be looking to add to their championship-winning roster by adding a third car to its lineup. This is of course means there is now a spot for a third driver. Step forward Latvian driver Reinis Nitišs, formerly of Munnich Motorsport and OlsbergsMSE.
The Latvian brings a good pedigree of driving, having won the European championship in the Super1600 category in 2013. A year after that he became the youngest ever driver (18 years old) to win a World RX final after he triumphed in Sweden. He will now trade the Ford Fiesta ST for EKS’ 560hp Audi S1 EKS RX quattro cars.
“Switching to the World Champion’s team is the dream of any racer,” explained Nitišs. “It’s a unique opportunity and I’m exceptionally happy that Audi and EKS is placing its trust in me.”
“Together with Audi Sport we worked hard to enter three cars in the race and I’m very happy that it worked out,” added Ekstrom, whose squad is receiving factory support from AUDI AG this year. “In Reinis, we have another strong driver. Although he’s only 21-years-old, he has gathered a lot of experience in rallycross.”
Nitišs will join new teammates Mattias Ekström and Topi Heikkinen but will he be able to challenge, or is he there to make up the numbers? Time will tell and I for one cannot wait for the new World RX season to kick off!