Kristoffersson seals historic eighth title as World RX era ends in Türkiye thriller.

PHOTO CREDIT: QNIGAN/KMS HORSE Powertrain

The World RX of Türkiye brought the curtain down on the season with a dramatic and fiercely contested finale, as Johan Kristoffersson secured his record-extending eighth FIA World Rallycross Championship title following an intense battle with long-time rival Niclas Grönholm. Throughout the double-header weekend in Istanbul, the two drivers exchanged strong performances, with Grönholm initially setting the pace before Kristoffersson mounted a decisive response. Ultimately, Kristoffersson clinched the championship after finishing second behind Kristoffersson Motorsport teammate Ole Christian Veiby in the final qualifying rankings.

Veiby delivered a standout performance to claim his third career World RX victory, demonstrating both speed and resilience across the weekend. The action began on Saturday with Grönholm stating his intentions with strong qualifying results. The CE Dealer Team driver showed aggression from the outset, fending off Euro RX1 contender Damian Litwinowicz in Q1 before overtaking fellow Finn Mika Liimatainen in Q2. In Q3, Grönholm edged past Kristoffersson in a series of intense, side-by-side battles to top the intermediate standings, narrowing the championship gap and maintaining pressure on the reigning champion.

However, in the final, Kristoffersson shifted momentum. After shadowing Grönholm in the early stages, the Swede executed a bold inside pass mid-race to seize the lead, steadily pulling away to secure his 48th World RX victory and extend his championship advantage. Grönholm, unable to respond, finished second but remained a contender heading into Sunday’s competition.

The race to turn one, with Gronholm in prime position to lead and Kristoffersson on the outside.
PHOTO CREDIT: CE Dealerteam

Veiby faced challenges on Saturday, including a spin in Q1 after contact with barriers and a collision with Kristoffersson in Q3, which hindered his progress. In the final, he engaged in a fierce battle with Klara Andersson for third place, resulting in multiple collisions. Although Veiby initially crossed the line ahead, a post-race penalty relegated him behind the CE Dealer Team driver. Reflecting on the day, Veiby said, “Yesterday was difficult. We had strong pace, but the final did not go as planned. Johan assisted with team tactics earlier, but it feels particularly rewarding to beat him on pace in the final.”

Sunday marked a turning point for Veiby, who demonstrated exceptional form by topping nearly all qualifying heats and dominating his semi-final. Kristoffersson experienced a turbulent semi-final, where a lightning-fast start from Mika Liimatainen meant he had initially led, but after a costly mistake clipping a tyre barrier, the Finn went up on two wheels, and with nowhere to go for Kristoffersson, the Hyundai landed on the front of the Polo RX1e, and with slight contact, it rolled over. Following the restart, Kristoffersson, Grönholm, and Andersson advanced to the final.

The grid for the final featured Veiby and Kristoffersson, who had locked out the front row for Kristoffersson Motorsport, followed by Grönholm, 16-year-old wildcard Joni Turpeinen, Nils Volland, and Andersson. At the start, Veiby launched his Volkswagen Polo RX1e decisively into the lead and maintained a consistent, measured pace, fending off pressure from Kristoffersson. With the championship secured, Kristoffersson adopted a calculated approach, shadowing Veiby and controlling Grönholm behind, securing a clean 1-2 finish for Kristoffersson Motorsport and confirming both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships.

OC Veiby and Johan Kristoffersson are celebrating after the final round in Turkiye.
PHOTO CREDIT: QNIGAN/Kristoffersson Motorsport

Reflecting on the weekend, Kristoffersson stated, “I am incredibly proud—not just of my own performance but of the entire team and our partners. I gave everything to support Ole Christian in his fight against Niclas. It was a tight battle, with Ole Christian just one point shy. He drove exceptionally well in the final, and it was rewarding to push hard for six laps.”

Wildcard entrant Joni Turpeinen was a standout performer, impressing the paddock with composure beyond his 16 years. Holding third position for most of the race despite intense pressure from Grönholm and Volland, Turpeinen narrowly missed a podium finish, ultimately securing fourth place on debut and marking himself as a future contender.

Andersson concluded the weekend in fifth, contending with a low-grip gravel surface that limited her pace. Volland completed the top six after a challenging race that included a poorly timed joker lap, which left him isolated at the back.

For Grönholm, the weekend was a mixture of strong performances and near misses. “I’m proud of what we achieved this season—from the win in Portugal and three podiums to leading in Finland and finishing second overall,” he said. “Looking back, there is little I could have done differently, aside from some unfortunate luck in Hungary and at home.”

From Grönholm’s early promise to Veiby’s resurgence and Kristoffersson’s historic title triumph, the World RX of Türkiye delivered a captivating season finale, rich with stories of emerging talent and established excellence. As the 2025 season draws to a close, the sport stands on the cusp of a significant transition. Beginning in 2026, the championship will revert to a European Rallycross Championship format, complemented by a standalone FIA Rallycross World Cup event. Furthermore, the FIA has announced the discontinuation of electric vehicles in competition, with future eligibility limited exclusively to combustion-engine supercars powered by sustainable fuels, marking a new direction for the sport.

CAPE TOWN’S STREETS SET TO IGNITE THIS OCTOBER WITH THE INAUGURAL SPEED CLASSIC!

Speed Classic Cape Town launch event display. 
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien - Slipstream SA

Cape Town, buckle up – because this October, Philip Kgosana Drive isn’t just a scenic road… it’s turning into a battleground of horsepower, heritage, and pure high-octane glory!

On 25 and 26 October, the Speed Classic Cape Town roars into life for the very first time, unleashing a thrilling hill climb race that fuses motoring heritage, modern muscle, and elite lifestyle experiences — all set against the iconic backdrop of the Mother City.

As the Mother City gears up for this landmark event, anticipation is already reaching fever pitch. Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Executive Mayor for the City of Cape Town has thrown his full support behind the race, describing it as a potential flagship event for Cape Town that could attract global attention and bring motorsport lovers from around the world to our shores. And with just weeks to go, Event Director Garth Mackintosh says the excitement is tangible as final preparations are made to deliver a world-class spectacle.

The action kicks off on Saturday, 25 October, when Philip Kgosana Dr. plays host to some of the most valuable and iconic classic cars ever built. These aren't museum pieces — these are rare machines being brought to life at speed, on the open road, in front of thousands of spectators. Among the head-turners, Stuart Mackay-Davidson will be driving a 1980 Ferrari 308 GTB, one of only five in the country. Harry Tayler will command the only known 1930 Bentley 4.5L Le Mans in South Africa. Charles Arton brings his 1979 March 79A, a rare Formula Atlantic race car built specifically for South African competition.

South African hillclimb and racing icon Franco Scribante will be present, and is set to pilot the South African 6 hours winning 1970 Chevron B19 — a true endurance prototype, and one of only 30 ever made. He’ll be joined by Silvio Scribante in a 1970s Ford Capri Perana, a uniquely South African muscle car born from the genius of Basil Green in partnership with Ford, with fewer than 100 remaining worldwide. Adding an international edge, Swiss drivers Serge Endress and Matthias Annefield will take part, piloting a 1965 Lola T70 Spyder and a 1971 Capri Perana respectively.

But the star power doesn’t stop there. Former Formula 1 driver and 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jan Lammers will be on the grid on Saturday, adding serious international pedigree to an already elite line-up. 

For Race Director Enzo Kuun, the presence of such historic vehicles is more than just nostalgia — it’s about reviving history. “Classic cars are like art, and you just cannot replace them. They were designed in a bygone era and have become collectors’ items,” he said. “What makes the Speed Classic Cape town so special is that on Classic Car Saturday we are bringing these cars out of collections and onto the track, and are inviting collectors to showcase their cars.”

HillClimb route supplied by Speed Classic Cape Town.

On Sunday, 26 October, the tempo rises as modern supercars, GT monsters, and single-seater rockets face off in a no-holds-barred battle for supremacy in the King of the Mountain showdown. Expect to see some of the fastest machines in the country — and the world — scream up the hill. Among them, Farouk Dangor’s ultra-rare Ferrari SF90 Stradale, one of only eleven in South Africa and capable of 0-100km/h in just 2.5 seconds. Greg Parton brings his Lamborghini Aventador, a naturally aspirated V12 beast that defines the word “supercar.” Pieter Zeelie will charge the hill in his Toyota MR2 Super GT, fresh off a King of the Hill title at Simola 2025. Dawie Joubert arrives with his ferocious Lotus Exige, fitted with a twin-turbo Ferrari V8 engine — a street-legal missile that’s as outrageous as it sounds. Franco Scribante returns on Sunday in his monstrous 1,500-horsepower Nissan GTR, nicknamed “The Sheriff,” which took the Simola crown in 2023. Marcel Angel brings serious GT firepower with his Ferrari 488 GT3, a championship-winning machine that’s competed across Europe. Byron Mitchell will push the limits in a Reynard Formula VW, a former German F3 car that earned him the Simola 2025 single-seater title. And making history of his own, Connor Kilbride will drive the ultra-light Ligier JS53 Evo2 — a prototype racer never before documented in South African hill climb events.

With speeds that these beasts are set to reach, safety is paramount. Speed Classic Cape Town Project Director Steyn Momberg confirms that the event is fully certified by Motorsport South Africa, and the same elite-level safety infrastructure used for Formula E has been put in place — including barriers, catch fencing, and Cape Town’s top disaster management team. “We’ve built this event to world-class standards. We’re not cutting corners. We’re raising the bar,” he said.

Beasts among us - Ford GT40 [left], McLaren 720S, Cobra [replica] and a rare Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien - Slipstream SA. 

But Speed Classic Cape Town is more than a race. It’s a lifestyle experience built for the whole city. From exclusive hospitality zones and grandstands with sweeping views, to a bustling race village filled with food stalls, brand activations, live screens, and kids' zones, it’s designed to thrill petrolheads, families, and curious newcomers alike. This is more than motorsport — it’s Cape Town’s newest destination event.

The countdown is on. The engines are ready. The mountain is waiting. This is Speed Classic Cape Town, so grab your tickets right now, because it’s going to be unforgettable!