Marklund rues disastrous race end
Volkswagen RX Sweden driver Anton Marklund suffered total front brake failure after the finish line of the final before colliding with the rear of Solberg’s Citroen DS 3.
The accident caused substantial damage to the front of Marklund’s Volkswagen Polo, which has been flown back to Europe for repairs.
The former FIA European Rallycross Touring Car Champion had battled with Solberg throughout the main race of the weekend at the TroisRivieres event, despite suffering from a rear tyre problem – totally unrelated to the braking issue after the chequered flag.
He explained: “I had small contact with a concrete barrier in the third corner of the final, which damaged my left-rear tyre. I was able to keep Petter behind me, but on the last lap he was just too fast with my tyre problem, so that I just got the car to the finish.
“Unfortunately after the finish line I had front brake failure – I had no pressure on the front brakes at all and it just locked up the rear end and slid into Petter, who had been braking because of the finish flag. It was a huge hit. It’s a pity to end a good weekend like that, the guys have a lot of work to do before France now but I know the team is very good and hopefully it will all be fine.
“I am okay myself, I just have some sore muscles and I will be back racing very soon again. Of course I wish Petter all the best and I hope he is fully fit again very soon.”