Picture: Tony Welam
Ramona gained big respect during her first race in Rallycross World Championship in Portugal. She showed a great developing during the race in her Saab 9-3 Supercar run by Per Eklund Motorsport, and beated many of the experienced Supercar drivers. After a 2:nd and 3:rd place in the last two qualifying heats, Ramona secured her place in the Semi final.
Ramona showed an impressive focus and made very fast starts in all heats – and also in the semifinal. Starting from the third line, she immediately overtook Timmy Hansen in second start line, and were 2:nd after Petter Solberg into the first corner. But Hansen were pushing hard behind and to avoid a crash with Solberg, Ramona chose to pass Solberg on the left into the joker lap. After one lap, Ramonas were overtaking the Belgium driver Jos Jansen on 5:th position. When Ramona and Jansen were side to side, Jansen crashed into Ramonas left front wheel which resulted in a broken steering arm and. “Typical race incident. A close fight that happened to hit the car on a bad place” Ramona says. Ramona ended on a 11:th position among the 19 Supercar drivers, and scored 8 World Championship points.
Despite the crash that ruined Ramonas chances to reach the final, she is satisfied with her WC debute. “To reach the semi final in my first Supercar World Championship competition, and with less routine in the car, gives me a positive feeling for upcoming race” Ramona says. “Now I really look forward to next race in England and Lydden Hill May 24-25”, Ramona continues.
Petter Solberg won Supercar in front of the Polish driver Nitiss, and the young Finish talent Toomas Heikkinen. For resultat and more information, read more at www.rallycrossrx.com