As we reach the penultimate part of our rundown of the class of 2019, our attention turns to the wildcard drivers. These are drivers who participated in no more than two race weekends over the course of 2019.
Kevin Eriksson
Kevin Eriksson only joined TitansRX for the final race weekend of the season, but he immediately set about distrupting the competitive order, getting amongst the title challengers.
Despite a lack of seat time, he was looking to win, and given his previous record at Estering, he was expected to as well. A collision hampered his chances in round 11, but in round 12 he claimed second place – poor visibility in the wet conditions being the only thing that prevented him from winning.
Best result: Second – Round 12, Estering
Dan Rooke
Dan Rooke was a star draw at the the second race weekend of the season at Lydden Hill. The home hero was quick straight away, claiming fifth in round three. He looked set to continue that fine form into round four until mechanical issues ended his day early.
Since his wildcard cameo, Rooke has remained a part of the TitansRX family, carrying out co-commentator duties for the second half of the season and testing for the 2020 Real E initiative.
Best result: Fifth – Round 3, Lydden Hill
Werner Panhauser
Werner Panhauser came into Titans RX for the final two weekends of the year with a stellar Super 1600 track record, but he hadn’t yet raced a four-wheel-drive car with as much power as the Pantera RX6.
Despite that, the Austrian turned in solid performances, qualifying for the semi-finals in only his second time out. In each of his other three races he only just missed the cut, but nevertheless remained consistent and competitive in a very close field.
Best result: 10th – Round 10, Nyirad
Ivan Ares
Spanish rally start Ivan Ares was one of two big name wildcard races that joined the field for TitansRX’s first visit to Portugal in the summer.
While no stranger to high-powered cars, Ares hadn’t raced other vehicles on track before. Nevertheless he took to rallycross rather well, making the final at the very first attempt. He missed out on the final in round six though after a hotly-contested fight with Andres Jordan and ‚CsuCsu‘, but he’d more than impressed on his first foray into the cut-and-thrust world of rallycross.
Best result: Sixth – Round 5 Montalegre
Rene Munnich
After racing (and winning) on the support bill at Lydden Hill and Nyirad, Rene Munnich moved into TitansRX for the final two rounds of the season.
Racing on home turf, Munnich was on the pace right away, making the semi-finals in both round 11 and round 12.
Best result: Ninth – Round 11, Estering
Armindo Araújo
Armindo Araújo was instantly on the pace when he made his rallycross debut at home circuit Montalegre in August.
Twice a heat winner, mechanical gremlins were the only thing that ended up standing between Araújo and a meaningful result. Nevertheless, the experience was a hugely positive one for the Portuguese driver, who has already expressed an interest in returning to TitansRX in the future.
Best result: 11th – Round 5, Montalegre; Round 6, Montalegre
