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| PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool |
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool |
The Swede's four closest rivals: Kevin Hansen, Timo Scheider, Niclas Grönholm, and Timmy Hansen – have all previously stepped onto the podium in World RX, with ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport's Scheider bringing the championship leader’s winning run to an end with a strong performance in Cape Town last time out.
"It’s pretty cool to be third in the championship now. I think there’s more to come from my side, too, because I’m still learning and adapting to the driving style required in this car. With such small gaps in terms of lap time, the tiniest mistake really puts you on the back foot and I think we all had a few ‘moments’ on-track in South Africa," Scheider said.
"If we can stay inside the top three overall after Hong Kong, that would be an outstanding achievement for myself and the team. We’ll need another clean and strong weekend, but I think we have a reasonable chance..."
To add insult to injury, Kevin Hansen ended Kristoffersson's SuperPole streak in South Africa, whilst older brother Timmy sets sights on victory.
"We’ve got really high hopes going to Hong Kong and we will try to be on it from the beginning. We’ll definitely be pushing for the win," he said.
Having made consistent improvements over the course of the season, Klara Andersson will undoubtedly look to better, if not take a higher step on the podium after making history last year - becoming the first woman to reach the rostrum in international rallycross.
This coming weekend, she will be joined on the grid by compatriot and rival Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky who finished third overall in the FIA RX2e championship.
"It’s a dream come true to step in and be part of the best team in World RX – that’s pretty awesome! It was fun working with Johan and Ole Christian when they drove in RX2e in Belgium. I’m looking forward to continuing that collaboration and to working with the incredibly talented engineers and mechanics in the team," Åhlin-Kottulinsky said.
"It's hard to say what your goals are when you go into something for the first time like this. We’ll have a little more power in the cars than I’ve been used to in RX2e, and the circuit will be new for everyone. It’s a city centre event, which is super-cool, and I've enjoyed this type of track before. I'll certainly be giving it my best."
Rising star and two-time 5 Nations British Rallycross Champion Patrick O’Donovan will also make his series debut with Hansen World RX Team. The highly-rated British teenager has plenty of experience in the ZEROID X1 car that all drivers will race this weekend.
"It will be a childhood dream come true for me to make my World RX debut, and even better to be doing so in a car that I know," O'Donovan said.
"I’m extremely excited to see how my pace fares against some of the best rallycross drivers in the world, and to be working so closely with the Hansen Motorsport team. It’s also super-cool to be part of the first-ever World Rallycross inner-city event, especially in a venue like Hong Kong. I can’t wait!"
THE TRACK: HONG KONG'S CENTRAL HABOURFRONT EVENT SPACE.
Track Length: N/A [OLD LAYOUT WAS - 1,225 metres]
Previous Winner: N/A
Asphalt/Dirt: 63%/37%
Joker Lap Loss: N/A
DESCRIPTION:
The cars will blast away from the start-line and hit the gravel on the dash to Turn One – a double 90-degree left-hander – which leads to a short, sharp sequence through Turns Two and Three. The unsealed surface then makes way for a long drag down to Turn Four, a tight right-hand hairpin – as the asphalt part of the lap begins.
After exiting the hairpin, drivers will deploy all of the power available to them as they race down the longest straight on the circuit. Next to tackle are a pair of consecutive right-handers in Turns Five and Six – the latter overlooked by the Hong Kong Observation Wheel – before sliding back onto the gravel and leaping over the jump on the approach to Turn Seven.
Alternatively, they may elect to dive into the joker, which is 23m shorter than the standard lap but tighter, twistier and slower. The joker and main lap then merge right before the finish line – setting the scene for some spectacular battles around the first city centre circuit in the championship’s history.
2023 FIA WORLD RX OF HONG KONG: ENTRY LIST
Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)
Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)
Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team)
Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)
Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)
Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team)
Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)
Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)
Patrick O’Donovan (Hansen World RX Team)
Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)
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