Vītol’s Winter Reliance: How Latvian Ceru Will Keep Thawing for Big Goals – Video

FC2 Supercar Debut at Trois-Rivières

Vītols entered the Canadian event with no prior experience in an FC2 machine or on North American tracks. The Provento Racing team accepted the late invitation primarily as a preparation session for the upcoming RallyX Global Final in Montalegre, Portugal, scheduled for October. However, the Latvian driver adapted quickly during initial practice runs.

During time trials, Vītols set the fastest lap time, finishing 0.710 seconds ahead of Lukas Andersson, who later secured the RallyX Americas championship. “Pats uzaicinājums startēt Kanādā mūsu komandai jau bija kā neliela uzvara,” Vītols stated, explaining that once he realized his pace in the time trials, the team shifted from a training mindset to fighting for the win.

Technical Adjustments and Qualifying Dominance

Driving the new machinery required Vītols to master several unfamiliar technical features, including the start procedure, gear shifting, anti-lag mode, and the push-to-pass system, which provided extra power twice per race. Saturday’s sessions involved a steep learning curve, featuring an overly late braking maneuver in the first qualifier that dropped him to second, and a missed first corner in the second qualifier that resulted in a fifth-place finish.

Following data analysis on Saturday evening regarding starts, shifting, and power settings, Vītols rebounded on Sunday. He won both the third and fourth qualifying rounds. In the fourth round, he recovered from an initial second-place position after the first corner to secure the heat win and the overall qualifying top spot through strategic joker lap execution.

Navigating Weather and Rough Gravel in the Final

Vītols won his semifinal from pole position by a margin of 3.246 seconds over his closest competitor. Heavy rain preceded the final race, prompting a drivers’ meeting to discuss tire suitability. The rain stopped and the track dried sufficiently before the FC2 final, allowing teams to compete on dry-weather tires.

According to race reports, Vītols executed a clean start from the front row and managed his pace carefully to avoid tire and wheel rim damage caused by deep ruts on the gravel section. He crossed the finish line 3.515 seconds ahead of Norwegian driver Thomas Eek Murstad, while Swedish competitor Alexander Lindqvist took third place.

“Finālā zināju, ka starts būs ļoti svarīgs,” Vītols noted, emphasizing that his priority was maintaining a healthy car and a comfortable gap over the chasing pack rather than pushing for maximum risk. His father, Uģis Vītols, and sister, Laura, provided spotter support via radio throughout the weekend.

Next Steps in the RallyX Calendar

Following this weekend in Canada, Vītols will next compete in the FC2 class at the RallyX Global Final in Montalegre, Portugal, from October 24 to 25. He earned that entry by winning the 2026 Supercar Lites Academy standings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What car did Roberts Vītols drive in Canada?

Vītols drove an FC2 Supercar prepared by Team Färén in collaboration with the Provento Racing team.

Who finished on the podium behind Vītols?

Norwegian driver Thomas Eek Murstad finished second, and Swedish driver Alexander Lindqvist placed third in the FC2 final.

Where is Vītols competing next?

His next scheduled start is at the RallyX Global Final in Montalegre, Portugal, running from October 24 to 25.