Johan Kristoffersson wins opening two rounds of the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship
Johan Kristoffersson has taken an early lead within the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship after a surprising show on the opening World RX of Sweden double header – successful the ‘Battle of Applied sciences’ in each the dry (Spherical 1) and exceptionally moist (Spherical 2) situations at Höljes Motorstadion.
The six-time world champion didn’t have it his personal manner on Saturday, when he needed to come from second on the grid to win in his VW Polo KMS 601 RX (ICE).
Klara Andersson had been the star of the opening spherical, successful all her heats and her semi-final in her CE Vendor Staff by Volvo Development Tools PWR RX1e (EV). She began a World RX ultimate from pole for the primary time and got here residence second, sportingly acknowledging that Kristoffersson is a six-time world champion for a cause!
Torrential rain utterly modified situations for the next day’s Spherical 2 – which favoured Kristoffersson as he admitted that his automobile was a dream to drive within the moist. The KMS – HORSE Powertrain driver reached Flip 1 within the lead from pole, simply as he’d carried out the day gone by from second on the grid, and with the earned luxurious of excellent visibility Kristoffersson steered away from any drama, not like his chasing rivals.
Niclas Grönholm turned the frustration of lacking out on a spot within the Spherical 1 ultimate by ending Spherical 2 in second place in his PWR RX1e (EV). He leaves the well-known ‘Magic Weekend’ occasion second within the drivers’ standings, tied on factors with CE Vendor Staff by Volvo Development Tools team-mate Andersson, who narrowly failed to achieve the ultimate on day two.
Ole Christian Veiby is fourth within the factors desk after following up a strong fifth place end in Spherical 1 with a podium end result In Spherical 2 – which was a surprising drive contemplating that he stalled his VW Polo KMS 601 RX (ICE) on the beginning line.
Gustav Bergström is fifth within the collection, thanks partly to a Spherical 1 podium end in his Kristoffersson Motorsport Volkswagen RX1e (EV), whereas Hansen World RX Staff brothers Timmy and Kevin Hansen got here away with good factors regardless of a troublesome weekend for the Peugeot 208 RX1e (EV) camp.
Anthony Pelfrene (JDM Raptor Racing Peugeot 208 WRX ICE) and Sondre Evjen (Kristoffersson Motorsport Volkswagen RX1e EV) confirmed good tempo on their World RX debuts and had been each unfortunate to not attain a ultimate.
Höljes additionally hosted the opening rounds of RX2e, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3.
Nils Andersson received the defence of his RX2e title off to an excellent begin with victory on residence soil. He led from pole to move Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky throughout the road in a Staff E 1-2, whereas Marko Muru (SET-Loenbro) took third.
Having been unbeatable within the dry heats the day gone by, a collection of unhealthy begins within the moist noticed Patrick O’Donovan start the Euro RX1 ultimate from the second row. The Staff RX Racing Peugeot 208 driver was nonetheless out in entrance exiting Flip 1 and when a number of of the vehicles behind grew to become unstuck within the situations, O’Donovan was in a position to romp to victory because of a transparent monitor and clear windscreen. Mika Liimatainen (Betomik Racing Hyundai i20) completed second, whereas final yr’s Euro RX3 champion Damian Litwinowicz (Volland Racing Audi S1) accomplished the rostrum on his Euro RX1 debut. Yury Belevskiy had began on the entrance row alongside pole-sitter Liimatainen, however the Audi driver’s race ended within the Flip 1 gravel entice.
Nils Volland made a great begin from pole to say Euro RX3 victory in his Volland Racing Audi A1. João Ribeiro got here residence second in his privately entered Audi A1, ending forward of RX3 debutant Sámuel Kovács (Korda Racing KFT Škoda Fabia).
The battle for the World RX, RX2e, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 titles resumes in three weeks’ time at World RX of Hungary at Nyirád (27/28 July).
2024 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPPoints after Spherical 21. Johan Kristoffersson….58pts2. Niclas Grönholm….36pts3. Klara Andersson….36pts4. Ole Christian Veiby….35pts5. Gustav Bergström….33pts
6. Timmy Hansen….31pts
WORLD RX RACE RESULTS
World RX of Sweden (Höljes Motorstadion)
Spherical 2 – Sunday 7 July
1. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON (SWE) KMS – Horse Powertrain (ICE)….5 laps2. Niclas GRÖNHOLM (FIN) CE Vendor Staff (EV)….+ 6.451s3. Ole Christian VEIBY (NOR) KMS – Horse Powertrain (ICE)….+ 8.193s4. Kevin HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Staff (EV)….+ 10.194s5. Gustav BERGSTRÖM (SWE) Kristoffersson Motorsport (EV)….+ 11.301s6. Timmy HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Staff (EV)….+ 13.920s
World RX of Sweden (Höljes Motorstadion)
Spherical 1 – Saturday 6 July
1. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON (SWE) KMS – Horse Powertrain (ICE)….5 laps2. Klara ANDERSSON (SWE) CE Vendor Staff (EV)….+ 2.159s3. Gustav BERGSTRÖM (SWE) Kristoffersson Motorsport (EV)….+ 3.428s4. Timmy HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Staff (EV)….+ 4.170s5. Ole Christian VEIBY (NOR) KMS – Horse Powertrain (ICE)….+ 5.032s6. Kevin HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Staff (EV)….+ 4.815s
