(RX2 Press Release - 10/16/18) Fresh off the back of his first podium finish in the RX2 International Series presented by Cooper Tires, Sami-Matti Trogen has confirmed his return to the official FIA World Rallycross Championship feeder series in 2019 after winning the RX Academy. Too young to compete in the Belgian curtain-raiser back in May, Trogen – who only turned 16 on the Sunday of the Mettet weekend – has been one of the standout rookies in RX2 in 2018, unleashing a scintillating turn-of-speed and converting that raw pace into a rostrum appearance with second place at Lohéac last time out. He sits tenth in the overall standings with just South Africa still to run on 24/25 November. The Finnish teenager will bid to build upon that success in Cape Town and beyond, after coming out on top of a four-way shoot-out for the title in the RX Academy season finale at Tierp Arena earlier this month. His reward for lifting the laurels is a prize drive in RX2 in 2019, when he will continue to compete for SET Promotion in his sophomore campaign in the series. “It’s been a really good season for me, and I’m really happy to win the RX Academy,” enthused Trogen, who laid down the groundwork for his title charge with back-to-back victories on home turf during the summer. “I’ve learnt a lot in RX Academy this season – we’ve had different conditions at different tracks and I’ve learnt a lot away from the track too. “The prize drive is fantastic, and of course it will help me a lot with my career. I’ve raced in RX2 this season and it’s a series I enjoy, but it will be much better to do it in the award car. I’m really looking forward to 2019.” Trogen is the second RX Academy Champion, and SET Promotion Team Principal Jussi Pinomäki is positive his young protégé will take full advantage of his opportunity next year. “The competition has been extremely tough in the RX Academy this season," said Pinomäki, "and we had four drivers entering the last round in Sweden with a chance of winning the title,” he explained. “The battle went right down to the wire, and we’re excited to run Sami-Matti in RX2 again in 2019. “The RX Academy concept is all about giving young drivers a professional platform to learn about every aspect of becoming professional racing drivers – not just the driving. Thanks to the hard work of our coaches, we are confident Sami-Matti is ready to take the next step in his career.”