News
Former Euro RX1 runner-up Pailler pondering series return
)
Fabien Pailler – who came within a whisker of following in the footsteps of his FIA European Rallycross Championship-winning father in 2021 – has revealed that he is evaluating a return to the fray for the first time since his title near-miss.
Behind the wheel of his Pailler Compétition Peugeot 208, Pailler waged a nip-and-tuck season-long duel for Euro RX1 honours against seven-time FIA World Rallycross Championship event-winner Andreas Bakkerud four years ago, ultimately falling just four points shy of lifting the laurels.
Since then, the Frenchman has made only sporadic appearances on the domestic scene as he has focused primarily on his business ventures, but Pailler has never hidden his desire to one day reintegrate international competition – and it seems the recent publication of the 2026 Euro RX calendar could be just the incentive he needs.
Half of the events – Höljes, Rīga and Lohéac – similarly formed part of the four-stop schedule in 2021. Indeed, had the championship been based upon those three rounds alone, the 40-year-old Saint-Renan native would have prevailed.
)
His father, Jean-Luc Pailler – European Division 2 winner back in 1993 – twice triumphed at Mondello Park, and it is the inclusion of just such iconic ‘return-to-the-roots’ rallycross venues that has sparked Pailler Jnr’s renewed interest, as he predicts a potential turning-point for the popular dual-surface discipline.
“It’s a fantastic calendar, visiting some of the best circuits on the continent,” enthused the two-time French Supercar class champion, in an interview with specialist website, Pure Rallycross. “It’s a true European Championship and a really attractive schedule, and another aspect that appeals is seeing Euro RX1 become the sport’s top-tier.
“Right now, our principal focus is on further refining our cars from a technical perspective. We are simultaneously speaking to our partners to understand what they would like to do, and what we could envisage doing together. At this stage, we’re not in a position to plan a full season; the initial priority is to assess what might or might not be achievable.
“Either way, I think we can expect to see top drivers and teams signing up to take part, with a mix of familiar faces and, who knows, maybe even some new names motivated by this fresh challenge. I really think all the ingredients are in-place for a huge and hugely competitive field, like we remember from rallycross’ halcyon days...”
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)