The first team to express interest in the FC2 concept, Team Farén has confirmed that it will be competing in Tierp at the start of the 2024 season. To achieve this, the Swedish outfit have indicated that it will be joining forces with US driver Conner Martell for the RallyX championship opener.
While Conner Martell has made a name for himself in Nitrocross with two podium finishes at the wheel of the FC1-X, the North American rider is preparing to return to his roots on a European continent where he has had the opportunity to shine in the past.
A former motocross specialist, Conner made a successful transition to rallycross in 2015 in the Global Rallycross Championship, before winning the Supercar Lites title in the ARX (Americas Rallycross Championship) series three years later, amassing no less than five wins and nine podiums.
However, Conner “The Hammer” Martell is no stranger to European tracks. During the 2018 season, the American driver took part in the RX2 series championship for Team Farén, including a podium finish at Lydden Hill.
This time it’s at Tierp where Conner Martell will try to make Team Farén shine at the wheel of the new FC2.
“My expectations for this 2024 season are quite simple,” says Conner.
“First of all, I want to take the time to get used to the new car and prove that the FC2 can compete with the real Supercars. It would be a really good thing if we could do that because it would send a strong message to other drivers that you can be competitive in the Supercar class even on a limited budget. In fact, I’m more than excited to see what it will be like in Sweden when the RallyX championship starts,” continues the 27-year-old.
For Eric Farén, Conner’s addition to Team Farén is also a very special moment.
“Over the years, Conner has become a friend to all of us in the team,” recalls the Swedish team boss.
“He has already driven for us in RallyX on Ice as well as in the RX2 series in 2017/2018. So his return to the team will bring back many fond memories. Since then, Conner has come a long way and established himself as one of the fastest and most successful drivers in the world in the Nitrocross championship. It’s a very exciting challenge to have him back with us.”
While the sporting ambitions of Team Farén and Conner Martell will naturally be high at Tierp, 2024 will also be a development season.
“To be involved in this project from the very beginning and to see this new FC2 take shape is simply an incredible moment,” continues Eric Farén.
“In fact, I’m already looking forward to being in Tierp for this world premiere with the car and showing the whole rallycross community its full potential and everything we can achieve with the FC2. I’m well aware that it’s a bit of an unknown, but we’ll do our utmost to understand and develop the car as quickly as possible. That’s why we wanted a driver as fast and experienced as Conner to take these first laps in official competition.”
Although Conner Martell has only confirmed his commitment to the Tierp stage for the time being, the American driver isn’t giving up hope of seeing his programme grow in the RallyX championship.
“At the moment I’m only committed to the first two Tierp events, but I make no secret that we are discussing the possibility of taking part in a full championship. It would certainly be an excellent opportunity for me to continue racing during the Nitrocross off-season. Coming back to Europe is an idea that appeals to me and it would be a win-win situation for both Team Farén and myself. For Eric and his team it would allow them to prepare for the next stage of their adventure by taking the time to develop the car, while for me it would allow me to keep up the pace ahead of the next Nitrocross season. In other words, I’m not ruling out the possibility of competing in the entire RallyX championship season.”
