Former FIA European Rallycross Champion Kobe Pauwels knows he’s about to take on a very different kind of challenge when he joins the RallyX. This time, instead of the Audi A1 that helped him win the title at the same Montalegre circuit in 2022, the young Belgian will be behind the wheel of a CrossCar, hoping to make his mark.
Alongside his GT commitments with Aston Martin, Pauwels will continue his partnership with French manufacturer Mygale, which helped him win the Belgian championship last season.
While his experience and talent will certainly work in his favour, Pauwels is under no illusions about the scale of the task ahead.
“We know that it will be a huge challenge. The level of competition in RallyX has only increased over the last few years and it continues to rise. So we know the field will be tough and it’s hard to predict where we’ll be,” says Pauwels.
The difficulty is compounded by the fact that Pauwels is juggling two very different disciplines: asphalt racing and rallycross.
“Most of the other drivers concentrate on CrossCar all year round, which gives them a solid season to prepare. For me, my main focus is still circuit racing with Aston Martin, so I can’t commit 100% to CrossCar. I expect to be slightly behind the top drivers in terms of preparation, but it’s an extra challenge I’m looking forward to.”
Despite this slight handicap, Pauwels remains confident in the capabilities of his Mygale chassis.
“I really believe that we have a fast car and a strong driver behind the wheel. Now we just have to see if that will be enough to separate us from the rest.”
Looking ahead to next weekend’s season opener at Montalegre, Pauwels admits he’s eager to return to a track that holds special significance for him.
“It’s my first time back at Montalegre since winning the Super1600 European Championship, so it’s a special moment. However, the context is very different this time – I was driving a real rallycross car then, not a CrossCar. But I’m hoping that we can achieve a similar result.”
One thing is clear: the rest of the season is also very attractive for the Belgian.
“The second race is at Valkenswaard. Even though it’s in the Netherlands, it’s only 25 minutes from my home. However, I don’t think that gives me a real advantage as I only race on this track once a year. After that, the season ends at Buxtehude – a track I love. I’ve only raced there twice, once in a CrossCar and once in an RX2. It’s a great track, very unique, with a chaotic first corner that always stirs things up. Getting good starts will be crucial and we’re confident we can do that with our Mygale chassis. I’m really curious to see what we’ll be capable of at that stage of the season.”