WORLD RX PREVIEW: Can anyone stop Kristoffersson's supremacy at the 'Magic Weekend' in Höljes?

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Having reigned supreme in the opening two rounds of the 2023 season, attention now turns to the 'Magic Weekend' in Höljes, where reigning champion Johan Kristoffersson will once again be the favourite as he chases a sixth world championship crown. 

"I couldn't have had a better start to the season. We've been fast on two very different types of circuits, so I feel very comfortable. But things can turn around quickly so I have to stay very focused," the reigning champion said. "We haven't competed with electric cars in Höljes before. We practiced there last year, before Hell, but there has been lots of development on the cars since then. It's going to be interesting to see how fast we can be around the circuit this time."

The Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver currently holds a 13-point advantage over closest rival Niclas Grönholm in the drivers’ classification.

"I am looking forward to Höljes, a track I think everybody would like to win on. It is going to be tough competition, like always. It is probably one of the most challenging tracks to set up everything one hundred percent right. Hopefully, continue to score good results in front of our fans and partners," Grönholm said.

Kristoffersson will face stiff opposition, however, not least from countryman Hansen (Hansen World RX Team), as he strives to kick-start his season following accidents that have uncharacteristically kept him out of the final in both rounds so far.

“The season clearly hasn’t started too well for us and we’re not in the position we had hoped to be, but we definitely took a step forward in terms of pace last time out and I’m excited to see if we can carry that forward,” Hansen said. “I’m not in the mood to hold anything back – I’m just going to send it!”

With the event universally known as the ‘Magic Weekend’, Hansen knows the entertainment won’t be limited to just the track, with fans already setting up camp in ‘Happy Street’, ready to party the night away once the racing ends each day.

“There’s a huge festival atmosphere,” he reveals, “and competing in front of so many people on home soil is just an incredible feeling that we don’t get anywhere else.”

Kevin Hansen followed his older brother across the line for a one-two finish in 2021, and the Swedish squad will be eager to repeat that result two years on. Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) sits an impressive fourth in the standings as she prepares to make her maiden appearance at Höljes in World RX, while WRC record man Sébastien Loeb – returning to the circuit for the first time since 2018 – is set to thrill fans behind the wheel of Special ONE Racing’s Lancia Delta Evo-e RX.

THE TRACK: Höljes Motorstadion

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Along with the previous round at Höljes, Lohéac is widely considered one of the two ‘crown jewel’ events of World Rallycross. Unlike Höljes though, it’s less technical and less undulating.

That doesn’t mean the 1.07-kilometer track lacks a punch – rather the track is not forgiving for those who stray even slightly off-line or brake a little too late. And if it rains, all bets are off – the second half of the lap will become highly unpredictable.

2023 FIA WORLD RX OF SWEDEN: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - VW Polo RX1e

Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - Lancia Delta Evo-e RX

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e

Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - Lancia Delta Evo-e RX

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - VW Polo RX1e

Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - VW Polo RX1e

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) SEAT Ibiza RX1e

Round 3 - World RX of Sweden (CAT Times)

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 09:10

SUPERPOLE: 11:35

HEAT 1: 14:19

HEAT 2: 16:19

SUNDAY:

WARM-UP: 10:05

HEAT 3: 11:05

HEAT 4: 13:40

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 16:00

GRID WRAP-UP SHOW: 17:00 [RX+ only]

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 2]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 46 POINTS

2) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 33

3) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 24

4) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 23

5) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 22

6) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 21

7) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 20

8) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 17

9) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 16

10) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 14

RX2e set to introduce 'significant changes' for 2023.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The FIA RX2e Championship will embark upon a new era in 2023, with the introduction of a number of significant changes to secure its long-term future.

Since debuting on the high-profile World RX package last year, RX2e – a joint venture between Spanish electro-mobility specialist QEV Technologies and Swedish rallycross powerhouse Olsbergs MSE – has attracted no fewer than 32 drivers, producing some spellbinding on-track action and memorable wheel-to-wheel duels.

Up to this point, most cars have been run by QEV, but from season three, RX2e will become a team-based championship, with private outfits able to buy or lease cars and adapt the bodywork while QEV continues as single supplier.

"RX2e started out as an arrive-and-drive concept, with the aim of making cutting-edge electric technology accessible to as many drivers as possible,"  Joan Orús, CEO, QEV Technologies, said. "Now that goal has now been achieved, we are delighted to present our changes for season three, which we are confident will bolster the series’ appeal and reinforce its position as the best category for aspiring professional drivers in rallycross as well as other off-road disciplines."

Performance will also increase from 250kW to 270kW, with a ‘boost’ up to 350kW, while greater technical freedoms are under discussion and competitors will benefit from ten per cent more track time at race weekends than is currently the case.

The series will be awarded a European title from next year, with the 2023 campaign due to feature five races. Each two-car World Championship team will be granted a free entry to RX2e, while the RX2e champion will receive a free entry to World RX the following season, thereby forging a closer relationship with the main series and a clear pathway to the pinnacle of the sport.

"After successfully proving its enormous potential over the past two seasons through a combination of fantastic racing, a competitive and reliable technical package and one of the best cost-to-performance ratios in the sport, it is now time to open RX2e up to private teams, many of whom have already expressed keen interest in taking part," Wlodek Szaniawski, President of the FIA Off-Road Commission, said

"We also feel it is important to strengthen the link between RX2e and World RX, with whom the series shares both the paddock and the spotlight. Klara Andersson has shown this season that the skills she learnt in RX2e have enabled her to quickly adapt to the top level and take the fight to the very best rallycross drivers in the world – and we look forward to seeing many more following in her footsteps in the years to come."

Kallio claims stunning victory at Höljes in thrilling showdown with McConnell.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Jesse Kallio emerged triumphant after an enthralling battle with Fraser McConnell as Round 2 of the FIA RX2e Championship at the World RX of Sweden produced scintillating action at Höljes.

The Finn bounced back from a disappointing Saturday to storm into contention with consecutive qualifying session wins before showing blistering pace in both the semi-finals and final to claim the overall spoils.

McConnell was a narrow second after impressing throughout the weekend at the iconic Värmland circuit, while Isak Sjökvist notched third on his RX2e debut after a frenetic final.

Guillaume De Ridder remains top of the Drivers' Standings after finishing fourth, but the Belgian is just a point ahead of Kallio and two clear of McConnell as the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship now turns its attention to Lohéac in France for Round 3.

Kallio started the weekend in fine fashion, winning his Q1 race and posting the third-fastest time of the opening session behind McConnell and De Ridder.

However, things unravelled in Q2 as a slow puncture saw him slip down the order while McConnell doubled up – holding off the rapid Swedish duo of Linus Östlund and Nils Andersson to take control at the end of Saturday.

Sat fifth at the halfway stage of qualifying, Kallio had it all to do in order to catch McConnell but a blistering display in Q3 produced the fastest time of the weekend so far and set the 22-year-old on the comeback trail.

He backed that up with a dominant Q4 win, getting the holeshot and putting the hammer down to cover an early joker from McConnell – although victory was still not enough to prevent the Jamaican from claiming Top Qualifier honours.

While Kallio and McConnell were pushing the pace at the front, standings leader De Ridder was having a tougher time after a dream clean sweep in Barcelona and could only manage fourth in the intermediate standings following damage and a puncture on a frustrating Sunday.

McConnell laid down a marker in the opening semi-final, taking victory ahead of Östlund and the ever-entertaining Patrick O'Donovan after Andersson suffered a mechanical failure which dashed his hopes of a home victory.

Kallio responded to McConnell in his semi-final, leading from turn one to the flag while De Ridder took second and Sjökvist booked his spot in the final with third – making the most of a half-spin from rapid EKS JC youngster Isak Reiersen on the opening lap.

That put the two old RX2 rivals on the front row for the final, and it was Kallio who reached turn one first while pole-sitter McConnell slotted in behind and De Ridder headed for the joker.

Östlund followed suit on the next tour but couldn't leapfrog the Belgian, while a combative O'Donovan was snapping at McConnell's heels before taking his own compulsory joker.

Kallio continued to stretch his lead at the head of the pack and, while McConnell and Sjökvist both went for an alternative joker strategy, there was no stopping the Finn as he pumped in consistency rapid lap times to secure his first win in the pioneering new RX2e category.

McConnell and Sjökvist, who showed consistent improvement throughout the weekend as he continues to adapt in his maiden season of rallycross competition, completed the rostrum while De Ridder suffered a late puncture but still finished fourth and Östlund came out on top in a robust final-lap battle with O'Donovan.

It was a frustrating day for the local driver, who posted the third-quickest times in both Q2 and Q3, and fellow new-boys Andersson and Reiersen were also left thinking what might have been after their semi-final misfortunes.

Damien Meunier will be desperate for another chance to realise his potential after the pacy Frenchman produced a competitive display on an unfamiliar circuit, while it was a similar story for Pablo Suárez as the popular Spaniard lodged improving times with every session around Höljes – having never raced at the legendary venue before.

"Today has been a perfect day. Yesterday wasn't so good, but today has been brilliant. It is so tight when everyone is in the same cars. The driver makes all the difference, and that makes it really enjoyable," Kallio said.

The 22-year-old hopes to return to the championship. "I am trying to find the budget to do more races, as I am hungry for more success," he said.

A haul of 29 points for Kallio leaves him just one behind Drivers' Standings leader De Ridder ahead of Round 3, while McConnell's 27 puts him a solitary point further back. O'Donovan moves into fourth after another strong display while Suárez and Meunier complete the top six in the table.

History made as De Ridder wins every session in first-ever FIA RX2e event

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA RX2e Championship 

Guillaume De Ridder produced a masterful display to dominate the maiden FIA RX2e event at the Circuit de Catalunya, becoming the first-ever winner in the all-electric championship.

The Belgian was fastest in all four qualifying sessions and battled to victory in his semi-final before taking advantage of an incident involving his main rivals Fraser McConnell and Jesse Kallio in the showpiece race.

That left the way clear for Ole Henry Steinsholt to claim second, with the Norwegian bouncing back after two significant crashes earlier in the day, while fellow teenager Patrick O'Donovan completed the rostrum.

The 17-year-old enjoyed a redemption story of his own after a disappointing DNF in Q2 left him playing catch up on Saturday, and the youngster showed his potential with a mature performance on the debut race weekend for the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship.

RX2e, a joint project between Spanish electro-mobility specialists QEV Technologies and Swedish rallycross powerhouse OMSE, has the honour of being the leading support series to the FIA World Rallycross Championship this season.

And the brand new category, based on an 'arrive-and-drive concept with the intention of creating an accessible pathway to the top of the sport, certainly delivered plenty of action.

De Ridder was quickest out of the blocks on Friday, setting the pace in practice before going on to post the fastest times in both Q1 and Q2 with a couple of superb drives.

However, the 28-year-old was pushed all the way by McConnell and Kallio as the pair of former RX2 sparring partners picked up a second and third each to leave them level in the overnight standings.

Steinsholt and Frenchman Damien Meunier, who also boasts RX2 experience, were four and fifth midway through qualifying while local driver Pablo Suárez sat sixth after securing a very popular victory in his Q2 race.

As for O'Donovan, the youngest driver in the 10-car field started positively on his 4WD debut with sixth in Q1 but contact at the start of Q2 resulted in retirement and left him with a mountain to climb on Saturday.

The second day in Barcelona started with drama as heavy watering of the track caused treacherous practice conditions and resulted in a number of accidents - most notably a heavy shunt for Steinsholt while Suárez, Meunier and José Luis García also picked up damage.

The RX2e crew of engineers and mechanics went to work on the stricken machine, in full view of the live cameras belonging to the new RX+ broadcast platform, and pulled off a heroic repair job in time for Q3.

That gave Steinsholt a chance to line up in the quicker qualifying race, but the Norwegian soon found himself in trouble again - clipping the tyre barrier on the way into the final complex while chasing De Ridder.

The Norwegian rebounded into the centre of the track and collected Kallio, who in turn was hit by McConnell. The Jamaican was fastest to get going again, finishing a distant second while Kallio came home third and Steinsholt dragged his car around for fourth, with Meunier having come unstuck at the first corner after an ambitious move around the outside.

Suárez won the other race in Q3 comfortably while O'Donovan caught the eye, jumping from fifth to third in turn one before later pulling a tidy move on García to secure second and lift him up the intermediate standings.

De Ridder had his toughest challenge yet in Q4, going doorhandle-to-doorhandle with McConnell into turn one while Kallio and O'Donovan were hung out wide and opted to take early jokers. The Belgian was unruffled by the close attention though, and kept his cool to notch his fourth session win of the weekend.

In the other Q4 race, Steinsholt finally enjoyed a trouble-free run and showed his true pace to take the chequered flag while the unfortunate Meunier suffered mechanical issues, leaving the way open for Garcia to seal second ahead of Oscar Ortfeldt - a late replacement for Spanish ace Pepe Arqué - and British veteran Mark Flaherty.

De Ridder leading the FIA RX2 final.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA RX2 Championship.

The first semi-final was a showdown between De Ridder and Kallio, with the Finn noticeably more aggressive in his driving style as he looked to hustle is rival into a mistake, but De Ridder did not put a wheel wrong and claimed yet another victory while Steinsholt finished third.

McConnell was untroubled out in front of the second semi-final, although the action was fast and furious behind as O'Donovan passed Meunier thanks to an alternative joker strategy before the RX150 star also found a way past Suárez when the Spaniard got out of shape exiting the hairpin.

Those results teed up a mouthwatering final involving De Ridder, McConnell, Kallio, Steinsholt, Suarez and O'Donovan, set to play out under the setting sun as the live crowd took advantage of cooler temperatures thanks to the unusual evening format.

However, the contest was effectively over before it began with McConnell losing out to De Ridder in turn one and suffering contact in the pack which turned the nose of his car into Kallio's.

McConnell hit the barriers and was out on the spot while Kallio limped around for a lap before parking up, opening the way for Steinsholt and O'Donovan to profit.

Oblivious to the carnage behind, De Ridder cruised around to complete a historic clean sweep and lay down a marker for the rest of the season. Steinsholt was a comfortable second while O'Donovan displayed excellent race craft to resist the attentions of Suárez and claim an unexpected podium.

"I'm speechless - I can't describe the weekend. There are so many great drivers in RX2e, so to take the first win and make history is just an amazing feeling," De Ridder said.

"It has been a perfect weekend, winning every session and getting a clean sweep. This is a new series with a lot of fast guys so I didn't exactly know what to expect, but we were obviously aiming to fight for the win. It couldn't have gone better.

"The RX2e car has been even better than I could have expected. It is brand new technology, so you could expect some small failures, but it was absolutely flawless all weekend. The guys at QEV and OMSE have made a great product, it is a great piece of engineering and nice to drive so I have really enjoyed it."

McConnell targets all-electric glory after signing up for inaugural RX2e Championship.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA RX2e Championship

Fraser McConnell is the latest rising star confirmed to be on the grid when the inaugural FIA RX2e Championship gets underway at Barcelona on July 23/24.

The Jamaican driver will be targeting the top step when the lights go green on the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship, with the pioneering series already earmarked as the future of the sport.

McConnell, who has been catching the eye at the wheel of an OMSE-run Ford Fiesta MK8 in RallyX Nordic this season, will be one of the men to beat when the cutting-edge series debuts at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Having made his rallycross bow in the North American ARX2 series back in 2018, he stepped up to the international stage in 2019 and finished fourth in the FIA World Rallycross Championship-supporting RX2 series - most notably completing a spectacular round-the-outside pass on OMSE team-mate Jesse Kallio at the Barcelona curtain-raiser.

He won the ARX2 title during the same season and progressed to the RallyX Nordic Supercar class a year later, running at the sharp end alongside eventual champion Oliver Eriksson and World RX star Johan Kristoffersson on his way to securing a second-place finish in the overall standings.

McConnell is undoubtedly one of the most highly-rated upcoming drivers currently competing in rallycross, and he is ready to make his mark on the international stage once again.

"I'm so excited to announce that I will be competing in RX2e, and I can't wait to get behind the wheel in Barcelona," McConnell said. "This championship is really pushing the boundaries of electric technology in sport, and we have already seen that these machines can produce quality racing. This is the future of rallycross, so I want to get a head-start!"

"I am super excited to find out what I can do in the car, and I hope to be competitive right from the off. QEV and OMSE have done a great job bringing the championship together, and I'm looking forward to getting started."

Christine GZ "had a blast testing" the new "insanely fast" RX2e car.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA RX2e Championship.

Fresh from the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Extreme E racer Christine Giampaoli Zonca has been left impressed by the newly developed RX2e rallycross car.

The newly developed FIA RX2e Championship car is set to make its competitive debut this season. The four-wheel-driver 'pocket rocket' was built around a spaceframe chassis and incorporating two independent powertrains alongside a 30kWh battery, with the motors generating 335bhp (250kW) and up to 510Nm of torque. 

In the weeks leading up to the opening race of the season, tests were held at the Châteauroux in France and Spain’s Circuit Calafat, where a number of drivers tested the new electric race car, including Giampaoli Zonca, Cyril Raymond, Dani Clos, Johan Kristoffersson, Guillaume de Ridder, etc.

Speaking directly after testing the RX2e rallycross car, Giampaoli Zonca said, "I had a blast testing the new RX2e rallycross car! It’s insanely fast and light, with impressive acceleration."

The 27-year-old Italian has also highlighted the key qualities of the RX2e car.

"Another key quality to point out is the braking performance with the [energy] regen system, meaning you can adjust the balance based on each driver’s style," she said. "That’s really cool!" 

Written By - Junaid Samodien