PREVIEW: Rivals target points and podiums, whilst championship leader Kristoffersson targets a trouble-free Belgian weekend.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

After a dramatic double-header in Nyirád, Hungary, for Rounds 3 and 4, the FIA World Rallycross Championship travels 1,290.6 kilometers to Mettet, Belgium for another action-packed double-header. 

Since the championship's inception in 2014, Mettet formed part of the inaugural World RX calendar, and ten years on, it will play host to rounds 5 and 6 in 2024.

Mettet is a happy stomping ground for six-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson, who has six wins to his record and returns to Belgium with a healthy 25-point lead in the championship. 

The Swede has won three out of the four rounds this season and will look to add more glory to his ever-growing record. 

His team-mate Ole Christian Veiby, who recently became a father before the Hungarian double-header, finds himself second in the overall classification, but hot on his heels, are the CE Dealer Team duo of Niclas Grönholm and Klara Andersson, who are tied on points, but just nine points behind the Norweigan. 

Grönholm, in his electric-powered PWR RX1e, profited from an incident involving Kristoffersson and Kevin Hansen on Saturday afternoon in Hungary claiming his first win for an electric car in the 'Battle of Technologies' era.

After a challenging start to the campaign, the Hansen World RX team is aiming to bounce back in Belgium. Reflecting on the team’s last outing, Kevin Hansen showed good pace throughout the weekend but was unlucky to not come away with a better result in Hungary, following a dramatic clash with Kristoffersson in Saturday’s final that denied him a shot at victory.

Bringing up the rear of the field is Anthony Pelfrene, who has reached the semi-final stages and is currently eighth in the standings ahead of ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport's René Münnich both are piloting sustainably fuelled combustion-powered cars. 

The World RX of Benelux will also mark the halfway point of the 2024 Championship, so get strapped in and ready for some exhilarating action! 

THE TRACK: CIRCUIT JULES TACHENY [METTET]

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Track Length: 1079 meters in length

Joker Lap: 1231 meters 

Tarmac/Dirt: 60%/40%

World RX Debut: 2014

The Jules Tacheny circuit has hosted the FIA World Rallycross Championship in the past, between 2014 and 2018 and 2023. With its demanding, winding course, the circuit has always offered an exceptional spectacle to its public, who are ideally situated to see all the action on track. Like its British counterparts at Lydden Hill and German counterpart at Estering, the Circuit Jules Tacheny shaped the beginnings of the intense and unique sport of rallycross. The succession of bends on gravel and asphalt offers ideal conditions for hellish sprints punctuated by contact and cascading skids.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

TALK THE TALK:

KMS-HORSE Powertrain

DRIVER: Johan Kristoffersson: 

"There were some things I wasn't happy with there [in Hungary]. I put myself into situations where I became vulnerable and exposed. It won't do. I have to act smarter and be sharp. I think it's okay for us, not as good as the one in Hungary, but better than Portugal, which awaits next time. Here there are two long accelerations, but also technical parts. It's important that the whole team does a good job and that we don't get any technical issues."

DRIVER: Ole Christian Veiby

"Three out of four on the podium so far. It's not so bad, but now it's time to recharge for a new weekend and pick up more points. It is important to stay away from the worst fights in the start. The first turn looks a bit the same this time. We have to think about the championship as well". 

HANSEN WORLD RX TEAM

DRIVER: Timmy Hansen

“We looked strong in Hungary but never ended up on the podium which we were hoping for. We stayed there testing after the race and made some good progress and I think we can bring that into Belgium. We are starting to understand how the tyres are working and how we need to approach setting up the car which we’re excited to put into practice this weekend. Despite no podiums, we have still reached every final which highlights our consistency and aids our championship fight. Kevin and I will give it everything we’ve got for the rest of the season and hopefully we can get both cars on the podium this weekend.”

DRIVER: Kevin Hansen

“We are looking forward to Belgium and it’s nice to be back with full power as last year we had to race with our RX2e cars. Unfortunately, the race doesn’t start with a longer straight, which would favour our electric car, however there are some later on in the circuit which will allow us to stretch our legs and maximise our car’s full potential. The test after Hungary really helped us understand the car better so hopefully this will make us a little more comfortable and quicker so we can challenge in Belgium.”

CE DEALER TEAM 

DRIVER: Niclas Gronholm

“It is great to return to Mettet after a long time and showcase electric and sustainable motorsport to our Belgian fans and partners. I believe our car is well-suited to this track. Now it is all about having a strong weekend overall. We need solid results on both days to stay in the fight for the championship"

DRIVER: Klara Andersson

"Sharing third place in the standings with Niclas is fantastic. We are determined to fight for the title as a team. This year, we have been able to leverage each other's strengths to develop both the cars and ourselves. I believe we are the strongest team in the championship, with the most potential of all." 

“I am incredibly excited to head to Belgium. It is my first time on this track. It will be challenging, but I am looking forward to it. This weekend is all about delivering and gathering points, but it is going to be tough as always."

2024 FIA WORLD RX OF BENELUX: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (KMS-Horse Powertrain) - VW Polo KMS 601 RX

Ole Christian Veiby (KMS-Horse Powertrain) - VW Polo KMS 601 RX

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

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

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - Seat Ibiza

Anthony Pelfrene (JDM Raptor Racing) - Peugeot 208 WRX

Round 5 & 6 - World RX of Benelux (CAT Times)

SATURDAY:

HEAT 1: 11:56

HEAT 2: 14:00

SEMI-FINAL: 16:00

FINAL: 16:38

PODIUM: 16:50

SUNDAY:

HEAT 1: 11:15

HEAT 2: 12:35

SEMI-FINAL: 15:00

FINAL: 15:40

PODIUM: 15:50

2024 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 4]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (KMS-HORSE Powertrain) - 101 POINTS

2) Ole Christian Veiby (KMS-HORSE Powertrain) - 76

3) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 67

4) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 67

5) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 66

6) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 65

7) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 33

8) Anthony Pelfrene (JDM Raptor Racing) - 32

9) Jankó Wieszt (Impossible RX Team) - 28

10) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 27

11) Sondre Evjen (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 15

WORLD RX PREVIEW: The dawning of a new era in Hell.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool.

It's e-xciting, e-xhilirating, e-ntertaining, and guess what? It's back! Yes! The FIA World Rallycross Championship is back, and on the highway to Hell this weekend, for the start of the eagerly-anticipated electric era.

Following years of preparation and hard work behind-the-scenes, the eagerly-anticipated electric era is finally upon us! The state-of-the-art new RX1e machine pushes out 500kW (equivalent of 680bhp) and 880Nm of instant torque, while the battery has been specifically designed for optimum weight distribution.

So, with all that power. How will the new RX1e cars get charged? Well! The championship has secured green energy recharging systems, which will be managed by GCK Energy via a bespoke solution comprised of containers and mobile charging points. The containers will arrive at each event fully charged, having collected 900kWh back at base in France through a combination of solar panels and the local green energy network.

THE TYRES:

Rallycross is one of the greatest challenges in motorsport for a tyre manufacturer – developing a range of products that deliver exceptional performance on both sealed and loose surfaces while dealing with the incredibly high demands of the discipline’s fast and aggressive nature is exceptionally difficult.

With the switch to electric powertrains delivering close to 900Nm of instant torque, Cooper Tire has developed a new ACB11 rallycross tyre which takes performance to new levels while utilising sustainable materials and manufacturing techniques. 

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Kristoffersson Motorsport: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

Construction Equipment Dealer Team: Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson (first gender equal team.)

THE CIRCUIT - LÅNKEBANEN, HELL.

THE TRACK: 

Opened in 1988 as the first asphalt track in Norway, the Lånkebanen is one of the world’s most popular rallycross tracks. Since it's opening, the track was used mostly for the national rallycross competitions. In 2011, the Lånkebanen hosted a round of the European Rallycross Championship for the first time. A few years later, it became the venue of the 2014 World Rallycross Championship. 

The Lankebanen features different options, from the main asphalt course and combined 1100-meters long rallycross circuit (63% asphalt, 37% gravel) to hill climb track and motocross track, located on the hillside below the main circuit.

TRACK LENGTH: 1,019m

NO. OF CORNERS: 9

CIRCUIT DIRECTION: Clockwise 

PREVIOUS WINNER (2019): Niclas Grönholm

SURFACE: 63% ASPHALT 37% GRAVEL

FORMAT CHANGE:

The Qualifying heats will be renamed Heat 1, Heat 2, Heat 3 instead of Q1, Q2, Q3. There will be three heats only as opposed to the four that have existed over the last eight years. Heat 1 starting positions will be decided following a “Superpole” timed session instead of a draw.

Heat 4 will be replaced by a “Progression Race” to add one more decisive stage in the progress of the event towards access to the Semi-Finals. Starting position distribution for this Progression Race will be determined according to ranking after the 3 Heats. The Final phase remains with Semi-Finals and a Final, but with five-car starts. The highest qualified driver will have a free of starting position. Other changes include five laps in all races (Qualifying, Progression Race, Semi-Finals, Final) and no use of the Joker Lap allowed in Lap 1 if the Joker Lap is in Corner No.1.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

Championship points will be awarded based on the final  classification on the Competition on the following basis: 

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

- The Teams’ Championship is open to World Championship teams fielding two cars, and includes all points scored by both of the team’s drivers at each event.

World RX Entry List - Ramudden World RX of Norway 2022

*GCK Motorsport’s Lancia Delta Evo-e will not be ready to race in Hell due to the extensive development work required to incorporate the new technology into the car, it will appear on-track in World RX later in the season.

Round 1 - Ramudden World RX of Norway (CAT Times) - CET is one hour earlier. 

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 09:35

HEAT 1: 14:19

HEAT 2: 16:49

SUNDAY:

WARM-UP: 09:05

HEAT 3: 11:39

PROGRESSION RACE: 14:19

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

All of the on-track entertainment and off-track features will be broadcast live on RX+. Event passes are available for €7,99, with the full season pass on sale for €49,99. More information can be found here.

The reigning World Champion Johan Kristoffersson returns.... Can anyone unsettle he's pursuit of a fifth title? Let's go racing! 

PREVIEW: Will Kristoffersson take the championship lead or will the Hansen's fight back in Portugal?

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

After a 2-year absence, the picturesque Montalegre track returns... and is set to host round 7 of the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend (16 to 17 October).

The 2021 championship has taken a swing in the direction of three-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson who trails Timmy Hansen by 12-points at the head of the drivers' standings after a difficult start to the season. 

Having clinched a second victory of the season last time out in Spa-Francorchamps, Kristoffersson will look to surpass his Swedish rival this weekend. But, the Hansen brothers' will certainly aim to extend their advantage at the top.

"I'm looking forward to Portugal where the circuit should suit our car a bit better. And I don't have to wait long either which is great!" Timmy Hansen said. 

Just three points behind Johan, the younger Hansen brother, Kevin will aim to reclaim second in the championship, whilst the GRX-SET duo who have shown an impressive turn of performance in recent rounds will aim for the top step of the podium in Portugal. 

Krisztián Szabó finally broke his podium duck last time out in Belgium, whilst Niclas Grönholm had a weekend to forget after being muscled out in a few races. The Flying Finn is hungry for a second victory?

UNKORRUPTED's Kevin Abbring was on course to win the World RX of Spa-Francorchamps last weekend, but after being turned around by Timmy Hansen at the Raidillon hairpin. His chances were over... Can the Dutchman fight for victory? He certainly can! 

KYB EKS JC's second driver Enzo Ide achieved his goal on home soil last weekend reaching the final, and will look to do the same this time out. 

The battle is on... Can Kristoffersson take the championship lead? Or will the Hansen brothers' extend their lead at the top of the drivers' standings? Find out this weekend!   

THE TRACK:

Portugal’s picturesque and historic Montalegre track formed part of the original FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar back in 2014, and its undulating layout and unpredictable weather has produced many breathtaking battles over the years.

The 945m track is located 1,000m above sea level, requiring engines to be finely tuned to deal with the altitude. From a long start/finish straight, drivers brake hard for the first corner – a tight right-hand hairpin – before taking a little bit of kerb as they flick through the left-right chicane that follows.

A fast left-hander then leads downhill into a right as the surface turns from asphalt into the loose and sandy gravel that characterises Montalegre before a steep uphill climb precedes another left followed by a long, fast right-hander. The final section of the lap is marked by a tricky surface change and a series of chicanes – inviting drivers to brush the barriers on both sides, but without getting too close...

Track Length: 945m

2018 Winner: ROUND 2: Johan Kristoffersson (PSRX Volkswagen Sweden)

Fastest lap: Johan Kristoffersson 38.064s (in semi-finals)

Asphalt/Dirt: 60%/40%

Joker Lap Loss: 3.9s seconds (approximately)

2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship standings (drivers):

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 151 pts

Johan Kristoffersson (KYB EKS JC) 139 pts

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 136 points

Niclas Gronholm (GRX-SET) 123 pts

Krizstian Szabo (GRX-SET) 108 pts

Kevin Abbring (UNKORRUPTED) 97 pts

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 75 pts

Enzo Ide (KYB EKS JC) 72 pts

Juha Rytkonen 52 pts

Mattias Ekstrom 37 pts

Hervé Knapick 18 pts

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 16 pts

Oliver O'Donovan 16 pts

Anton Marklund 14 pts

Attila Mozer 13 pts

Peter Hedstrom 11 pts

Tamas Karai 9 pts

Oliver Bennett (Xite Racing Team) 8 pts

Dan Oberg 7 pts

Mandie August (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 4 pts

Patrick Guillerme 2 pts

Round 7 - Cooper Tires World RX of Montalegre (CET Times)

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 10:30

Q1: 13:06

Q2: 16:06

SUNDAY:

WARM-UP: 11:00

Q3: 12:06

Q4: 15:36

Semi-Finals and Final: (from) 18:00

Grid Podiums and Wrap Up Show: 19:00 [RX+ only]

FREE LIVESTREAM

Red Bull TV (FINALS) ROUND 7 [Sunday] - at 17:45 UTC+2 - https://www.redbull.com/int-en/events/fia-world-rallycross-championship-portugal

PREVIEW: The title fight intensifies at Spa-Francorchamps.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The battle for glory in the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship is heating up as all roads lead to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend after the title fight was blown wide open in Latvia last time out.

The first three rounds of the championship all went the way of the Hansen brothers', but victories for Niclas Grönholm and Johan Kristoffersson in Riga mean just 23 points cover the four leading protagonists for the Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps.

The Hansen World RX Team siblings are also the only two of the title-chasing quartet to have previously raced at Spa; Kristoffersson was absent in 2019, while Niclas was ruled out due appendicitis, whilst his team-mate Timur Timerzyanov clinched his first victory. 

KYB EKS JC's Kristoffersson is a three-time champion at the pinnacle of the discipline, and but for persistent ill-fortune, his current points total would be significantly greater. GRX-SET World RX Team’s Grönholm, meanwhile, was the highest scorer in Riga – form he is bidding to carry with him into the second half of the campaign.

There are a number of dark horses in the field, too. Grönholm’s team-mate Krisztián Szabó has been a model of consistency as one of just three drivers to progress through to the final in every round to date in 2021, and Kevin Abbring has shown flashes of speed in the UNKORRUPTED Renault Mégane. 

Enzo Ide in the second KYB EKS JC Audi S1 Quattro will carry Belgium’s hopes, while Timo Scheider is overdue a change of fortunes after proving to be on the pace but out of luck. Whilst All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport is hoping to have solved their driveshaft "supply part" issues that led to DNF's in Latvia. 

Anton Marklund is an intriguing addition to the entrylist. The 2017 FIA European Rallycross Champion rejoined the fray in Euro RX1 at Höljes and set the pace until his shocking roll in Q4. The Swede returns this weekend in a Hedströms Motorsport run Hyundai i20 and is sure to put up a fight.

THE TRACK:

The challenging, purpose-built 913m track located at the heart of the famous Ardennes venue is characterised by significant elevation changes and incorporates one of the most iconic corners in world motorsport, not to mention the ultimate test of bravery – the daunting Eau Rouge.

The spectacular ascent of the Raidillon and its 15% gradient is followed by a tight hairpin bend, before cars hurtle back down towards Eau Rouge. There is also a stadium section that features an extra-wide, banked corner designed to allow drivers to adopt various racing lines. There are parallel jumps in the standard and Joker Laps.

The amphitheatre atmosphere around the circuit offers fans a full view of the action from wherever they are watching.

Track Length: 913m

2019 Winners: ROUND 5: Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)

Fastest lap: Johan Kristoffersson 48.099s (in semi-finals)

Asphalt/Dirt: 60%/40%

Joker Lap Loss: 1.4s seconds (approximately)

2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship standings (drivers):

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 130 pts

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 113 points

Johan Kristoffersson (KYB EKS JC) 110 pts

Niclas Gronholm (GRX-SET) 107 pts

Krizstian Szabo (GRX-SET) 88 pts

Kevin Abbring (UNKORRUPTED) 79 pts

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 64 pts

Enzo Ide (KYB EKS JC) 57 pts

Juha Rytkonen 43 pts

Mattias Ekstrom 37 pts

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 16 pts

Attila Mozer 13 pts

Peter Hedstrom 11 pts

Oliver O'Donovan 10 pts

Herve Knapick 9 pts

Tamas Karai 9 pts

Oliver Bennett (Xite Racing Team) 8 pts

Mandie August (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 4 pts

Patrick Guillerme 2 pts

Dan Oberg 1 pt

Round 6 World RX of Benelux Schedule (CET Times)

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 09:30

Q1: 14:06

Q2: 16:36

Grid Wrap Up Show: 17:39 [RX+ only]

SUNDAY:

WARM-UP: 09:45

Q3: 12:06

Q4: 14:36

Semi-Finals and Final: (from) 17:00

Grid Wrap Up Show: 18:00 [RX+ only]

FREE LIVESTREAM

Red Bull TV (FINALS) ROUND 6 [Sunday] - at 16:45 UTC+2 - https://www.redbull.com/int-en/events/fia-world-rallycross-championship-belgium

10-car field set for World RX of Sweden.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross/Red Bull

The short, sharp, action-packed FIA World Rallycross Championship will return at the iconic Höljes track for round two of the 2021 season later this month (20-22 August).

A trio of homegrown winners will lead the field into battle in Värmland, following the one-two-three finish for Kevin Hansen, Timmy Hansen, and Johan Kristoffersson in Catalunya just under a fortnight ago.

Despite their podium finish last time out, they will be pushed hard, by a number of rivals all eager to climb the top step of the podium – amongst them are Niclas Grönholm and Kevin Abbring, and Timo Scheider neither of whom came away with the kind of result their pace suggested they deserved in Barcelona.  

Whilst Peter Hedström, a three-time Euro RX podium-finisher will join forces with the GRX-SET team to drive the third Hyundai i20 on home soil.

Hansen NRX Team makes Nitro Rallycross return to defend its crown.

PHOTO CREDIT: Hansen RX Team/Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull Hansen NRX Team, the winners of the last two editions of Nitro Rallycross, are back for the newly revamped series with both Kevin and Timmy Hansen to defend their status as reigning champions.

After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Nitro Rallycross makes a bold return, expanding from a one-off winner-takes-all event to a five-round series.

The Utah Motorsports Campus in Salt Lake City, USA, previously hosted standalone Nitro RX events but will now be joined by four new purpose-built tracks for the expanded 2021 calendar featuring: ERX Motor Park in Minneapolis, MN; Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, AZ; Glen Helen, CA; and The Firm, FL.

Kevin Hansen will defend his status as the reigning champion in NRX with a full campaign to take the top spot.

"Coming back to the US to take on Nitro Rallycross again is going to be mega. Utah Motorsports Campus is a circuit unlike anything I’ve driven elsewhere in the world – and now there’s going to be five of these insane tracks!" Kevin Hansen said. "How could I not come back and try to win it again? Travis Pastrana has done a super job with the original Nitro track, so I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us at the other locations."

"I want to win NRX again this year, of course, but it’ll be more difficult than ever before. There are some quality teams and drivers in this series so it will be a big ask to finish on top."

Due to other racing commitments, Timmy Hansen has only confirmed his entry for the opening round at Salt Lake City.

"I am so happy to be coming back – I have such great memories of Nitro Rallycross from 2018 and 2019. Going over the jump in Utah was unlike anything I’d experienced before; this track is a rollercoaster with its big air and banked turns. And to be in history as the first-ever winner of an NRX event is a really cool achievement. I can’t wait to go back," Timmy Hansen said.

"I’d love to do the whole championship but it’s a bit tricky to know if that is possible – between NRX, World RX and Extreme E I have a lot of driving and travelling to do!"

"So I’m going to go to Utah aiming to win, and then hoping I can come back and do some more races. It would be awesome to try out the new tracks," he adds.

2019 Nitro World Games Rallycross.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The Hansen NRX Team will join the likes of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Olsbergs MSE, the Monster Energy RX Cartel, Loenbro Racing, and the Xite Energy Racing on the 2021 grid. 

Kevin reveals that the team's Peugeot 208 WRX's will be slightly different from their FIA World Rallycross Championship specification cars. 

"We are relishing the challenge; we’ve got a slightly different spec of car for NRX compared to the world championship, so all the hard work the team has been putting in to perfect my US 208 will hopefully put me in a great position to compete at the top," he explains.

Kenneth Hansen, team boss admits that since his team raced in Utah two years ago, they've always wanted to return and are thrilled to be back on the grid in 2021. 

"I would say there are only two premier categories in rallycross right now – the world championship, of course, and Nitro Rallycross. Since we packed up our container in Utah two years ago, we’ve wanted to come back and race here again, so we’re very happy to have made it back onto the grid," he said.

"We are pushing as a team to bring the best package possible to the US. With the drivers we have the best line-up possible; they are currently the top two drivers in the world championship and the only past winners of NRX after all! But also on the technical side, we have been hard at work preparing a car that is perfectly suited to the big jumps and slippery gravel the US circuits have."

"We want to give Kevin and Timmy the best tools to go out and win more races here – hopefully, we’ll achieve that with this version of the 208."

Spa World RX of Benelux CANCELLED due to the resurgence of the coronavirus.

PHOTO CREDIT: GC Kompetition

The next round of the World Rallycross Championship, the Spa World RX of Benelux in Belgium has been cancelled due to the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic, the organisers announced.

The cancellation comes after news broke that the penultimate round of the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship was cancelled due to the resurgence of the coronavirus. 

Spa's World RX of Benelux was originally set to take place in May, before it was moved to October and then to November with an aim to allow a bigger audience to attend the penultimate round of the championship. 

However, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Belgium and Europe, the organizers announced last week that the event will be held behind closed doors, but it has now changed following the cancellation of the championship round at Spa-Francorchamps. 

"The current health situation in Belgium and throughout Europe has forced the organisers into taking this joint decision," the statement issued by the circuit said. "The Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, IMG, and the FIA are in fact very mindful of the progression or development of the pandemic and the extremely tense situation in the hospitals."

"Furthermore, the various restrictive measures taken recently by several governments, such as those relating to travel, make the situation extremely complicated for holding the Spa World Rallycross of Benelux."

Spa-Francorchamps joined the World Rallycross Championship in 2019 and quickly became a fan favorite with its wide banked dirt hairpin and use of the legendary Eau Rouge/Raidillon. 

Whilst Timur Timerzyanov claimed his first-ever win in the world championship, ahead of Andreas Bakkerud and Joni Wiman.  

"This decision is related to an exceptional situation and even if this saddens all the teams who have worked so hard to hold this second edition, announced last week moreover to be held behind closed doors following the deterioration in the public health situation, our priority is and will remain the health of safety of everyone," Nathalie Maillet, the Circuit CEO, said.

In addition to the cancellation announcement, the circuit has also announced that it expects to host the second edition of the Spa World RX of Benelux on May 22-23, 2021. 

The cancellation of the penultimate round of the season means that the final round of the 2020 World RX season is expected to take place at the Nürburgring in December (later this year). 

This in turn means that with a maximum of 30 points available for the final round of the championship, that should Johan Kristoffersson outscore Mattias Ekstrom by four points, he will be crowned a three-time World Champion. 

Whilst KYB Team JC (with a 16 point lead) would seal the teams' championship in Germany should they finish ahead of the Team Hansen. 

Written By - Junaid Samodien