World RX: Come rain or shine, Kristoffersson shows his class in Sweden

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 shocking 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) circumstances at Höljes Motorstadion.

The six-time world champion didn’t have it his personal approach 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 Supplier Crew by Volvo Development Tools PWR RX1e (EV). She began a World RX remaining from pole for the primary time and got here house second, sportingly acknowledging that Kristoffersson is a six-time world champion for a purpose!

Torrential rain fully modified circumstances for the next day’s Spherical 2 – which favoured Kristoffersson as he admitted that his automotive 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 yesterday 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 remaining 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 Supplier Crew by Volvo Development Tools team-mate Andersson, who narrowly failed to succeed in the ultimate on day two.

Ole Christian Veiby is fourth within the factors desk after following up a stable fifth place end in Spherical 1 with a podium end result In Spherical 2 – which was a shocking drive contemplating that he stalled his VW Polo KMS 601 RX (ICE) on the beginning line.

Gustav Bergström is fifth within the collection, thanks partially to a Spherical 1 podium end in his Kristoffersson Motorsport Volkswagen RX1e (EV), whereas Hansen World RX Crew brothers Timmy and Kevin Hansen got here away with good factors regardless of a tricky 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 remaining.

Höljes additionally hosted the opening rounds of RX2e, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3.

Nils Andersson acquired the defence of his RX2e title off to an ideal begin with victory on house soil. He led from pole to move Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky throughout the road in a Crew E 1-2, whereas Marko Muru (SET-Loenbro) took third.

Having been unbeatable within the dry heats yesterday, a collection of unhealthy begins within the moist noticed Patrick O’Donovan start the Euro RX1 remaining from the second row. The Crew RX Racing Peugeot 208 driver was however out in entrance exiting Flip 1 and when a number of of the automobiles behind turned unstuck within the circumstances, O’Donovan was capable of romp to victory due to a transparent observe 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 lure.

Nils Volland made a great begin from pole to assert Euro RX3 victory in his Volland Racing Audi A1. João Ribeiro got here house 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 Supplier Crew (EV)….+ 6.451s3. Ole Christian VEIBY (NOR) KMS – Horse Powertrain (ICE)….+ 8.193s4. Kevin HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Crew (EV)….+ 10.194s5. Gustav BERGSTRÖM (SWE) Kristoffersson Motorsport (EV)….+ 11.301s6. Timmy HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Crew (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 Supplier Crew (EV)….+ 2.159s3. Gustav BERGSTRÖM (SWE) Kristoffersson Motorsport (EV)….+ 3.428s4. Timmy HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Crew (EV)….+ 4.170s5. Ole Christian VEIBY (NOR) KMS – Horse Powertrain (ICE)….+ 5.032s6. Kevin HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Crew (EV)….+ 4.815s