PR: The Double!

EKS is the 2016 FIA World Rallycross teams’ champion! At the final round of the season in Rosario, Mattias Ekström and Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen secured the title in style. With finishing the qualifying heats in third and ninth, it was possible to celebrate the title before the final races. But the show continued. Heikkinen took third in the final. Ekström was fifth in the season closing event. In the overall standings, the gap on Team Peugeot Hansen was 35 points in the end. With securing the teams’ and the drivers’ championship, the mission is completed.

“Today, I’m really proud as a team boss and driver,” said Ekström. “It’s something really special to make both championships in one year. That trophy today means a huge amount to the team and me. It shows that we all did an excellent job, and not just this year. When we started EKS three years ago, there was nothing at all. Now we are driver and team World Champions and I’ll remember a great many moments forever. I want to give a big hand to Topi as well. He did a really good job and I’m happy about his podium finish today.”

Heikkinen finished the season in the same way he started it 225 days ago: with champagne. “It’s a super nice feeling to be back on the podium. For me, this is the cherry on the cake. Our first aim was to secure the teams’ championship and when we were sure to have that one in the pocket, it was a very nice feeling. In the final I had a nice battle with Mattias, but he gave me some space, like he always does in the case I’m there. It’s a big pleasure to be part of this great team, because all of the guys work really hard and they deserve this title.”

For Ekström a dream will become reality on Thursday. He will be at the FIA prize-giving ceremony in Vienna. “Ever since I’ve been a racing driver it was my greatest dream to be at this ceremony and to appear on stage alongside other World Champions.”

What you should also know about the 2016 season…

EKS headed the overall standings for 225 consecutive days – from the season opener to the finale . Ekström and Heikkinen together won 44 of their 131 races. Ekström mounted the top step of the podium four times during the season, more often than any other driver in the 2016 World Rallycross Championship. EKS celebrated five additional podium finishes.