Scheider replaces Meeker for Nitro Rallycross finale
Two-time DTM champion Timo Scheider will race for XITE Vitality Racing within the ultimate three rounds of the Nitro Rallycross season after Kris Meeke was dominated out by damage.
Meeke took to social media to substantiate that he’d be out after fracturing his again in a snowboarding accident.
Kris Meeke was resulting from battle this weekend within the sequence finale of Nitro Rallycross Nevertheless, we’re saddened to report that Kris has been concerned in a ski accident and sadly received’t be capable of make the race in LA,” the XITE workforce introduced through Instagram. “Big loss and we ship our greatest needs to Kris for a speedy restoration”
Meeke was initially solely set to contest rounds exterior North America for XITE, however following Jenson Button’s departure from the workforce after a troublesome begin to his rallycross profession, the Northern Irishman took the seat on a full-time foundation.
He rewarded the workforce with a 3rd positioned end — the workforce’s first top-three consequence within the class — within the second half of the Phoenix doubleheader in November, however now his season has been delivered to a untimely finish.
By changing Meeke, Scheider will probably be making his debut within the U.S.-based sequence however he’s no stranger to rallycross, having competed on the planet championship frequently since 2015.
“I’ve been following Nitro because it began and I’ve been within the U.S. with my household for a very long time now so I’m taking a better have a look at this,” Scheider advised RACER. “I’m feeling sorry for Kris, I hope he has a speedy restoration.
“However I’ll take the prospect, in fact! It’s the season finale, it’s a tripleheader, I’ve no clue in regards to the automotive, no clue about Glen Helen, however in fact I’m trying ahead as a result of many of the guys I do know nicely and I nonetheless love rallycross and I nonetheless have to research the Nitro format a bit however so far as I perceive, it is going to be super-fun.”
Scheider’s debut in Nitro RX marks a return to the XITE Vitality fold for the Miami resident, too. Scheider changed workforce founder Oliver Bennett within the workforce’s Excessive E driver lineup final yr and instantly helped it to its first worldwide podium throughout all classes within the first Island X Prix in Sardinia.
“It was a fairly cool name yesterday from Oli and getting XITE racing again into my thoughts,” Scheider stated. “We all know one another from World Rallycross and we all know one another from Excessive E and after I bought the message asking if I used to be free subsequent week, I simply double-checked my calendar — I used to be coming dwelling for 3 days after which I’ll fly straight from Miami to LA.
“I’ll like to take the prospect and it was fairly cool that Oli considered me after Kris sadly can’t compete. I wish to benefit from the expertise, I wish to be there and to point out folks that it might be enjoyable to work with me,” he added, hinting at an curiosity in additional Nitro RX outings sooner or later.
Nitro Rallycross’ Glen Helen finale will take the type of a tripleheader, with the sequence eager to retain a 10-round championship calendar following the cancellation of the Finland, Saudi Arabia, and Calgary rounds.
The go to to Finland was scrapped after the venue, the KymiRing, wasn’t prepared in time, whereas the Center East jaunt was initially postponed after which referred to as off solely resulting from logistical points. The Calgary spherical did happen, however with unusually excessive temperatures necessitating a format change, its championship standing was eliminated.
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