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Duval ready for action at home World RX event

Former World Rally driver Francois Duval is competing in his home round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend at Mettet in Belgium, driving an Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta which he describes as the best rallycross car he has ever driven.

The Belgian driver tested the OMSE Fiesta for the first time on Thursday afternoon near Mettet. "I have tried the car. I drove only drove it for 10 kilometre or so, in a small parking space, but I am confident," said Duval. "I'm happy, this is the best rallycross car I have ever driven."

Duval won the Belgian round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 2010 driving a Ford Focus, and has raced in both World RX events at Mettet. Two years ago he competed in a Volkswagen Polo but didn't make the semi-finals. Last year, he raced in the Euro RX section of the event and qualified for the final but retired with accident damage.

"I hope I am more lucky compared to last year. I got to the final but had a crash with Jerome Grosset-Janin. I hope for good conditions today to get a good feeling for the car here," concluded Duval, who lines up this weekend alongside permanent OMSE drivers Kevin Eriksson and Niclas Gronholm. Eriksson is looking for his first final start of the season while Gronholm is targeting qualification to the semi-finals for the first time.

The first of two Free Practice sessions at Mettet has just finished, Duval setting an impressive fourth fastest time behind Johan Kristoffersson, Mattias Ekstrom and Sebastien Loeb.

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