Showing posts with label Kristoffersson Motorsport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kristoffersson Motorsport. Show all posts

Thursday 14 December 2023

LONG READ: 'My key to success is paying attention to details and having very, very good people around me', Kristoffersson says.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
The journey to greatness always starts somewhere…. Born to a motorsport family, Johan Kristoffersson was always destined for a life in motorsport, as his father ran the successful, Kristoffersson Motorsport, where he competed in both rallycross and the Swedish Touring Car Championship [STCC].  

Traveling through Europe with his family, and their team, as a kid, he immediately became involved - cleaning and preparing racing tyres, as well as driving the teams truck around the paddock, and getting stuck into pitstops in STCC. 

Unlike his father, Johan opted for a different career route. He decided to compete in Cross Country Skiing, where he achieved a top 10 ranking in Sweden, but after completing school, his career in motorsport well and truly kicked into high-gear. 

It was 2008, when he climbed into a race car for the first time in the Junior Touring Car Championship, and after his very first race, the Swede was hooked. 

As his career developed, he gained the necessary experience for the success, which would soon grace his record. 

Johan Kristoffersson wins the first STCC race of the season at Mantorp Park.
PHOTO CREDIT: Mediaempire.se
After four years of racing, success was just around the corner, as he claimed his first race victory in the 2012 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, and went on to win the championship, along with four other titles that year - the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia, Italian-based Touring Car Championship, and the Superstars Series in all three categories (Italian, International and Rookie).

The two years that followed kept Kristoffersson grounded, but 2013, saw him make the transition from circuit racing to rallycross, and it wasn’t until 2014, that he claimed his first rallycross victory in the European Championship. 

A year later, he claimed a third-place finish in the World Rallycross Championship, but as the years progressed, he continued to apply his trade in different championships. 

But, it wasn’t until 2017, when he teamed up with Petter Solberg’s PSRX Volkswagen Sweden, and despite getting off to a slow start, acheiving two podium finishes in rounds 2 and 3, thereafter, he claimed seven straight wins in the 12-round calendar. 

Returning with PSRX Volkswagen in 2018, Kristoffersson won all but one round, which would begin a record breaking career in rallycross. 

Despite missing the 2019 season, after Volkswagen Motorsport withdrew from the championship. He returned with family-run – Kristoffersson Motorsport, in a modified version of his 2016 VW Polo, but despite having some pressure applied throughout the season, he went on to win another championship. 

Kristoffersson celebrating after winning upon return to World RX in 2020.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA.com
Having only driven Volkswagen Supercars in rallycross, things were different in 2021, when he joined EKS JC [Audi], in what would be the final season of internal combustion powered cars. And, whilst it was a topsy turvy season, Kristoffersson wrapped up his fourth title, whilst also competing in the Extreme E Championship alongside team-mate Molly Taylor, a season that would see the Swede win the inaugural season. 

After years of talking, 2022 was finally the year of implementation, as the World Rallycross Championship went fully-electric, with teams retrofitting their cars with Austrian firm Kriesel’s powertrains. 

The future within World Rallycross did not seem all that clear for Kristoffersson Motorsport, but as we all know, the Swedish team never gave up, as they managed to secure two VW Polo R5 chassis’ from long-term partner Volkswagen Sweden. 

Starting from a blank slate seems a lot easier then retrofitting the Kriesel powertrain to an already existent chassis, or is it? “I think it was much more difficult to build a brand new car,” Kristoffersson explains. “I mean if we had the possibility, and if we had the choice from just out of the driver and engineer point of view. You would definitely convert an old car with all the benefits that come together with that. But we didn't have the possibility, so we just had to build a brand new car.”  

Working away on developing a new car, Kristoffersson Motorsport engineered what would become an all conquering machine, that went on to win 8 of 10 rounds in the inaugural electric rallycross season. 

With his wealth of experience, Kristoffersson’s input into the design and the development is certainly something that a team would factor in, the likes of, if the car should have more understeer or oversteer 6.

He explains: “I was lucky enough to work with the guys that developed our cars since 2017. So, the engineer that is project leader of the electric car build has been my chassis engineer since 2018. So, we did the 2018 World Rallycross Championship season together, and we also did the 2019 TCR season and 2020/21 World Rallycross Championships together, the latter with the Audi S1. So, we’ve actually raced three different cars plus some others... I've done some rallying together with him, as well so I've driven the R5.”

“I think he knows me very well and how I want the car to be set up… So, I think in terms of how involved I am on the project. Yes, I am involved because I'm curious, but I think not involved in daily meetings because they already have all the data that we’ve collected over the years.” 

A year later, the World Rallycross Championship encountered one of it’s most challenging moments, as two cars - Special One Racing, the teams equipment and a truck caught a light. 

The future of the championship seemed bleak, as round after round was canceled, but in an extraordinary move, the FIA World Motor Sport Council elected to continue the championship with equal machinery [RX2e cars], but despite these challenges, Kristoffersson kept his finger on the pulse to clinch a sixth World Rallycross Championship. 

He also clinched the Extreme Championship with team-mate Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky in Chile.this year. 

Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson celebrate their 2023 Extreme E Championship win in Chile.
PHOTO CREDIT: Extreme E Media
Like Extreme E, and the final rounds of the 2023 World Rallycross Championship in equal cars, should the world championship have equal machinery? 

“I think having equal cars makes it a completely different kind of a championship,” he said. “And for me, it wouldn’t be a world championship because there is no manufacture title if there are equal cars. If you compete with equal cars, it's more like a national championship or Porsche Carrera Cup.”

Having achieved championships in circuit racing, rallycross and off-road racing, Johan Kristoffersson has certainly cemented himself in the history books, as one of the greatest of all time, but what makes him great, or the greatest: “It's a combination of many things, I believe my key to success is that I pay attention to details and it all comes down to the fact that I am a very, very competitive person."

“I think it also comes from a cross country skiing background, if you do a race, or compare it to a marathon. And, you’re at the start line of a marathon, you need to have done your homework. So, everyday you would wake up, and don’t want to go out running, but if you don’t do it then can’t arrive at the start line prepared. So, I think that is one part, and then of course in motorsport, it’s also an individual sport in terms of – it’s only me driving the car. So, it’s teamwork with all the mechanics and engineers, as well. It is also very, very important to have good people around you that want to win just as much as you do,” he added. 

With nine years of experience, the Swede has seen the good, bad and ugly of the world  championship, but in his opinion, is the sport at it’s greatest point right now, or is there room for improvement? 

“I think everything that comes naturally will be better for the spectators, like if there were a little bit more cars and more drivers at the top level,” he said. “As soon as there are more drivers in the top level there will be tighter racing, more excitement and tighter at the top. So I don't think that it has really so much to do exactly with what World Rallycross is today. I think that it is more of that it is still missing some cars. In 2017 and 18, there were many teams, and many very professional teams. There are still professional teams, but it's not as many as it was at that time. It hasn't changed much since then but I think it just takes some time also in the transition from internal combustion to electric.”  

Nothing is ever a given in the world of motorsport - even achieving championships does not guarantee the possibility to progress through the ranks, but in the ever evolving world of rallycross, it is rather expensive to rent cars and the equipment to compete, which is something seen in Cape Town, where 2023 FIA RX2e Champion Nils Andersson worked as the team manager of Kristoffersson Motorsport instead of racing. 

Whilst Nils brings a wealth of knowledge in RX2e, Johan believes that the world championship needs to have teams with the ability to pay drivers. 

“Nils [Andersson] should be in a car. But, in order to get the best drivers in the world to drive the World Championship, you need to have teams that have the possibility to pay the drivers,” Kristoffersson said. “If the drivers pay to join the championship, you will never get the best drivers in the world. That's simple!  So, you have to find a way for the team to have the financial power to pay drivers to come, and then they will find a way also to find a third car or a fourth car for a driver like Nils to join the championship to prove his skills.”

Four years since manufacturers departed the world championship due to lack of clarity regarding the switch to electric power.There has been a continued push to a greener future, with manufacturers looking for new opportunities to test their technologies, and Kristoffersson believes that World Rallycross is “definitely 100%” ready for manufacturer return. 

The COVID-19 pandemic really proved challenging, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship did not race in Cape Town for four years, but upon return, Johan was reacquainted with his championship-winning Volkswagen Polo R Supercar, named “Wilma”.

“The last time I drove it [the Polo R] was in 2018, and I reckon that it was the weekend that we raced in Cape Town or at the Gymkhana Grid event. I will always have a special feeling towards that car, as I drove it for two seasons and I also won 18 rounds with the car in World Rallycross,” he said.

“I won my first championship with that car, as well, to me it feels like an old relationship, but we've been through a lot. So, yes, that car will also remain very, very special to me. I saw it when arriving at the circuit [for set-up and media day], and the last time I saw it was in 2020, when I visited Volkswagen Motorsport in Hanover, when I then used the car that Petter [Solberg] raced in 2018 for th 2020 World Championship.”

“To give you some history, Jari-Matti Latvala won the 2014 Rally Sweden in this car [chassis], and he also won Rally Finland with the car in 2004. So yeah, it has some history,” he added.

DID YOU KNOW: Johan Kristoffersson named his 2022/23 Volkswagen Polo RX1e - "Greta".

Andreas Bakkerud, Kevin, Timmy Hansen, Klara Andersson, Guerlain Chicherit and Timo Scheider's ideal World Rallycross tracks.
Like every World RX one-on-one, we placed a blank seat infront of Johan Kristoffersson, and asked him to draw his ideal circuit, but looking at the track designs of Timmy Hansen, Guerlain Chicherit, and Klara Andersson, you could see the cogs begin to turn…

Kristoffersson was quick to note the short comings on the other track designs, saying: “they are missing a gravel corner, one corner and then a corner again in the same direction. If you only go right, left, right, left, right there's no overtaking ever. You need to have right, right and a left, left. Then you get overtaking.”

“Then if you have gravel on the inside and tarmac on the outside. The gravel on the inside will always be fast. It will just spit all the gravel onto the tarmac and it will then be slower anyway. I mean it looks cool. But these layout don’t work,” he added.

Johan Kristoffersson's ideal World Rallycross track.
Putting some thought into it, the newly crowned six-time FIA World Rallycross Champion, put pen to paper and immediately drew seven grid slots, to which, he said: “There seems to be seven grid slots, but anyway. It's fine, we can have it in the future, Thinking ahead. [he laughs]”

“Then you need a long straight thereafter. And, then you start braking on the gravel. It's very narrow my track. But then you need to have a left and then a left again. There will be a lot of gravel on my track as well. We then need a big jump.”

Thereafter “we need to find a way to put the joker [lap] in with a tight chicane on the inside. The joker should ideally be on gravel.”

He mentions "that there should be more banked corners, but in rallycross it is difficult to maintain them. My track should actually have a bit more gravel, because it’s a lot more difficult. I prefer gravel then sand,” he says. “The joker lap needs to be that if you take risks, you should gain time. If you want to be safe, you lose time.”

Whilst designing the track, he said that Nitrocross tracks “are cool when they go over and under [each other], but that won’t be allowed [in the world championship.]”

Enjoy the video below, where Johan briefly talks us through his track design in the video below:

VIDEO FILMED BY: Rhea Morar [The PitCrew Online]

Johan explains his track layout - “So here, the start, then you have a long right hander followed by another a long right hander. And, then you have a big jump that goes into a corner, into the hairpin. And then you go into this, and then you have a big jump again. Then you can choose if you want to stay really tight inside off-camber. Or if you jump long, and you go to the banked corner, and try to go do some overtake into here. This is not so bad."

Sunday 12 November 2023

Kristoffersson raises the bar to produce stellar 40th career victory.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
After apologizing to the fans yesterday for what he believed was not producing a spectacular final, Johan Kristoffersson approached the season finale with one thing in mind - victory, and perfection, as he capped off the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship with a 40th career victory on the streets of Hong Kong today. 

LONG READ - STRAP IN! 

It’s not a marathon, it’s a SUPERPOLE shootout!

Twenty-four hours after claiming victory in Hong Kong - Kevin Hansen qualified in the last position with the format change - “Qualifying Practice”. It was pretty evident that track evolution would be a factor in SuperPole, however, it wasn’t apparent just how drivers’ would reap the benefits of these improvements. Well, tactics come out to play, and rather strange tactics, which would set the base for the day. 

Luck is a four-letter word, something hard to come by or achieve, and unfortunately, Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky had yet another awful day of bad luck, as she hit the barrier with her rear left wheel during SuperPole, which led to her crabbing across the checkered line to set the pace for the session. 

Thereafter, it seemed to be a race of who could finish last, but CE Dealer Team’s Klara Andersson had other plans, as she posted the fastest time with a handful of drivers to complete a lap. 

One by one some drivers elected to go slow, and others fast - Kevin Hansen among the group opting for the fast approach, as he secured SuperPole by 0.090s from six-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson. 

Speaking directly after the session, he said: “I heard rumors of tactics coming into this session, and both my teammates used them [slow tactic]. I just wanted to have a clean start to the day, and have a clean mind going into the first heats.”

TURNING UP THE HEAT[S]

HEAT ONE

After fascinating tactics during SuperPole, it was time to put the best times on the board in the overall rankings. Having run two heats yesterday, the championship returned to normal order today, with three heats consisting of five cars. So, who will top the rankings and progress to the semi-final and finals? 

With the “slowest cars” going first, it was Niclas Gronholm who firmly made his intentions known with a mighty impressive outside move to take the lead into turn one, as Timmy Hansen and Ole Christian Veiby tangled. The Hansen Motorsport driver was later reprimanded for the contact. 

Large and in charge, Niclas was unfazed despite Timmy Hansen’s pace in the closing stages, as he won the heat ahead of Hansen, Veiby, Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Rene Munnich.

Race two, featuring the fastest drivers from SuperPole had to contend with big rutted sections, and despite a tight squeeze into turn one, Kevin Hansen led into turn one, with the support of debutant team-mate Patrick O’Donovan defending in second. But, with a clever first lap joker, Kristoffersson picked off O’Donovan, and later Scheider to secure second behind Hansen with Scheider in third ahead of Patrick and Klara.  

HEAT TWO

In usual World Rallycross fashion, the fastest drivers from the previous session went first for the second of three heats. With yet another brilliant start, Niclas Gronholm looked to be the early leader, but with the momentum and the usual pushing and shoving – it was as if the sea parted to clear the way for Kristoffersson who took the lead – a position that he would hold to the chequered flag, with Gronholm behind followed by Timmy Hansen, Veiby and Kevin in fifth.

Starting from pole, All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport’s Timo Scheider had a strong launch, and led into turn one in race two, as Klara pulled off a beautiful rally-esque move to claim second. 

Having opted for an early joker strategy, O’Donovan kept the pressure on, and as those ahead took their compulsory joker laps, he emerged into the lead to win his first heat race on the international rallycross stage, with Ahlin-Kottulinsky in fourth and Munnich rounding out the order in a distant fifth.

HEAT THREE

Just one heat to make an impact in the overall standings - it was all systems go for heat three. Timo Scheider fended off an attack from behind but after a big hit from Kevin Hansen into turn 1 and 2. Klara Andersson took the lead, and as the race progressed, the Cape Town race winner began to close up on Swede, but she remained unfazed, as she beat the German with Hansen finished third ahead of Munnich and Ahlin-Kottulinsky, who failed to finish the race.

The final heat race saw Ole Christian Veiby get a very good start battling Gronholm into turn one, as Kristoffersson kept his nose clean, and took an early joker lap in an attempt to overtake those ahead, but as the meters ticked over Timmy stopped on track with front suspension damage. 

Covering off Kristoffersson’s late charge, Gronholm jokered and came out comfortably ahead, but Veiby remained in the lead. Could he apply enough pleasure to win the final race? He sure did, Niclas led to the final corner, but something strange happened as he slowed with meters to the chequered flag, as Veiby and Kristoffersson pushed in every direction to get past. OC won ahead of team-mate Johan... 

With all the results calculated, six-time world champion Johan Kristoffersson was the top qualifier in the overall rankings ahead of Niclas Gronholm, Kevin Hansen, Ole Christian Veiby, Klara Andersson, Timo Scheider, Timmy Hansen, Patrick O’Donovan. Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Rene Munnich.

MAKE OR BREAK!

Having topped the rankings, Johan Kristoffersson started from pole position, but with a full-send move, Timmy Hansen sent it around the outside to take the lead, as Johan studied the pace of his rivals. 

As the laps ticked off, the Kristoffersson Motorsport driver pumped in faster sectors, and he then opted for an earlier joker lap strategy, which provided vital, as he crossed the line to snatch P1 from Timmy’s grasp, with Klara Andersson in third progressing to the final, and round nine winner Kevin Hansen going no further along with Ahlin-Kottulinsky.

“Yes, for sure very happy [to secure second in the championship]! It’s been a very tough season. To end the season as vice champion is nice, but now there is only one trophy missing, and that is the World Championship, so we will come back next year [in 2024],” Kevin Hansen said.

With a nightmare final corner in heat 3, Niclas Gronholm’s luck finally paid off as he led comfortably into turn one, despite some bumper bashing behind. Almost immediately, Ole Christian Veiby and Scheider took their joker lap in an attempt to beat those ahead, but the Finn was cool, calm, and collected. His pace at the front meant he crossed the chequered flag in P1 ahead of Veiby and O’Donovan. Having recently shown an impressive turn of speed, Timo Scheider’s weekend came to an end with a fourth-place finish in semi-final two. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
THE KING MAKES IT COUNT

Five laps,, six drivers… It was lights, camera.. GOOOO! The pressure was on to nail the start, and Johan Kristoffersson did just that. Behind the reigning champion was Niclas Gronholm who tried to fend off the second Kristoffersson Motorsport machine, but to no avail. 

Opting for a different tactic, Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson immediately took the joker lap and set the pace. The Finn overtook his team-mate, as Timmy Hansen took a dive into the joker lap in an attempt to stay ahead of Gronholm, which he managed to achieve. 

A lap later, Patrick O’Donovan took the joker lap to fend off team-mate Timmy Hansen, with Veiby doing the same a lap later, a move that worked. 

Like clockwork, Kristoffersson was unbeatable in the final, as he crossed the checkered flag ahead of team-mate Veiby, and Patrick O’Donovan – who claimed his first-ever podium in World Rallycross. Right behind them were Timmy Hansen, Niclas Gronholm, and Klara Andersson. 

“That was nice! The championship was secured yesterday, but yesterday was a very, very frustrating final. So, I am very happy to be able to pull off the win today,” Johan Kristoffersson said.

“That first corner in the final was the one where I decided and had free track and was able to do my own pace. I am happy it’s done, to be honest. Klara and Niclas have been very strong in the first corner this weekend, and I am very happy to have matched them in the final into the first corner. To be able to put on a show for five laps in front of the Hong Kong fans is great.”

FINAL RESULT: 

1. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON 

2. Ole Christian VEIBY + 3.641s

3. Patrick O’DONOVAN + 4.599s

4. Timmy HANSEN + 4.939s

5. Niclas GRÖNHOLM + 6.218s

6. Klara ANDERSSON + 6.980s

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 10]:
1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 141 POINTS

2) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 104

3) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 94

4) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 89

5) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 82

6) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 78

7) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 71

8) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 30

9) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 29

10) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 27

11) Patrick O’Donovan (Hansen World RX Team) - 22

12) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 20

13) Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 13

Monday 19 December 2022

The journey of 15-year-old Einar Friberg: from sweeper to tyre manager.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kristoffersson Motorsport. 
A journey into the motorsport world usually begins with a career in karting, a wealth of experience in mechanics or a degree in engineering, but for 15-year-old Einar Friberg, it was a journey that started with a broomstick, and finished in him being five-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson's tire manager. 

Being in the sixth grade, it was time for Friberg to get a prao place, and with the Kristoffersson Motorsport workshop, just a few kilometers from his home in Jössefors, it was an ideal opportunity for the young Swede. 

Born into a family with rich motorsport history and involvement, it was only a matter of time before Einar ended up in the world of motorsport. The family legacy began with grandfather Ove "Findus" Friberg who was a car salesman and rally driver, whilst his grandmother's father was the legendary "Sulviks-Einar", a master craftsman who designed his own cars. His father Erik also works in motorsport, and on Per Eklund's cars. 

Einar Friberg and Tommy Kristoffersson posing with the 2022 Polo RX1e door.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kristoffersson Motorsport
Kristoffersson Motorsport team boss Tommy Kristoffersson recalls Einar's first visit to the team, "He came here by car, and provided to be really willing to work."

Having been handed a broom, Einar dabbled in a bit of everything, as he mentions: "Among other things, I had to wash Johan's STCC car. After that I came back and worked during the autumn holidays and then every summer holiday. I've really tinkered with everything."

With the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS about to embark on a historic rallycross year (in 2022), with three newly built electric cars, Friberg was of course really keen to join the adventure. And, after showing his willingness to learn and gain experience. The Swede immediately got involved in pre-season races in Holjes and Strangnas. 

The 15-year-old then joined the team at the Holjes, Sweden test, and was given the tire management role. 

"When I heard Tommy read out my name as a regular team member, I got chills," Einar said.  "After that, we were going straight to Hell and I became the tire manager on Johan's car."

The now five-time world champion Johan Kristoffersson had the youngest tire manager in the world championship pitlane.

Johan Kristoffersson said: "It hasn't been noticed that he is (the youngest). It has worked great. I recognize myself a little in Einar. I was about his age when I myself started working in the team."

"It's not really that strange that he has worked his way up so quickly. He is constantly on the spot and wants to move forward, hanging over the shoulder of the more experienced mechanics to learn more. Then it is natural to move on to more advanced tasks."

Friberg admits that he left nothing to chance during his first major assignment.

"I put in just about as much work as I could, wrote down all the times, tried to keep track of the weather, checked the temperature of the tires and talked to Johan about how he wanted to prioritize," he said.

He handled the task flawlessly and for Johan the season started with victory. Before the next round in Riga, Einar, asked Tommy if he could come along there as well. To which, Kristoffersson asked, "are ready to be with the whole season?".

There was no hesitation from the team boss in that situation.

"Einar is fantastic. He's here first in the morning and last out here in the evening. He has started at the very bottom of the ladder and worked his way up. Despite his 15 years, he has become a very natural part of our team and is completely accepted by all the others," Kristoffersson said.

Monday 31 October 2022

King Kristoffersson crowned five-time World Champion with victory in Catalunya.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Untouchable, incredible, masterful.. are just a few words to describe, Johan Kristoffersson, who clinched his fifth FIA World Rallycross Championship crown – and the first of the series’ new electric era – at World RX of Catalunya yesterday.

Determined after being handed a 3-second time penalty in the final on previous day, Kristoffersson immediately laid down a marker by lapping almost a full second quicker than anybody else in the SuperPole session. He then maintained that pace throughout the heats, with none of his rivals able to match him.

He's dominant run continued in the progression race and the semi-final, where he claimed pole position for the all-important final (inside line), but he had to nail the start. 

The Super Swede launched off the line, and began to pull away from he's nearest pursuer Timmy Hansen, and whilst the Peugeot driver was pushing behind to close the gap. It was Kristoffersson who ultimately took the checkered flag by 5.112 seconds to clinch his 34th career victory, but more importantly a fifth drivers' title. 

"I’m very proud. We started out from scratch with this car. It’s our baby, and so many people have put their whole lives into the project. This is such a team effort, and it’s been a real pleasure to have been a part of that journey," an emotional Kristoffersson said.

"Today, the Volkswagen was flying, and I really enjoyed showing off its pace and potential in the final – that was a lot of fun, pushing flat-out for five laps. I think every driver dreams of having a car like that.

"Five times that things have to be put in the right place to make it work and it has done so. It's also great to win the teams' championship together with Ole Christian. We first started working together in 2013 and I have learnt a lot from him in rally and now we are in my backyard with rallycross."

Timmy admitted that the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver was ‘untouchable’ but nevertheless leaving the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the event’s highest scorer. The 2019 world champion was Kristoffersson’s closest rival all day, and he pipped Ole Christian Veiby to the runner-up spot by just over a second.

"The weekend overall has been amazing, after our win yesterday, second place today is another strong result and I’m super happy about the weekend as a whole," Hansen said.

"Johan Kristoffersson was quite untouchable today and won his fifth World RX title so massive congratulations to him and well deserved. I was second and proud of that, I think it was the maximum I could do today."

For Ole Christian Veiby, third position marked a welcome change of fortunes following a run of bad luck of late due to mechanical issues, which saw him sit out most of Saturday morning. The 1-3 result secured Kristoffersson Motorsport the 2022 World RX Teams’ title.

"Incredible to be a part of this in my first season back in rallycross. And I think I have delivered my bit in achieving this success," the Norwegian said.

In the final, Klara Andersson was only narrowly behind in fourth – advancing to the final for the first time since her podium in Portugal and again showing strong speed as she kept pace with her illustrious and more experienced adversaries.

Her stablemate Niclas Grönholm wound up fifth in the sister Construction Equipment Dealer Team car – the Finn struggled with power steering issues in both the semi-final and final – while Kevin Hansen found himself on the back foot following a contact-induced spin at the start of the first progression race. The Swede proceeded to make a storming start from the outside of the grid in his semi-final, only to get rotated sideways, which ultimately put paid to his hopes of reaching the final.

Gustav Bergström’s challenge similarly ended at the semi-final stage, with René Münnich completing the order in his ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport SEAT Ibiza.

The championship will conclude with the final at the Nurburgring in Germany in two weeks’ time [November 12-13].

FINAL RESULT: World RX of Catalunya

1. Johan Kristoffersson (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 5 laps

2. Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) +5.112s

3. Ole Christian Veiby (Kristoffersson Motorsport) +6.325s

4. Klara Andersson (Construction Equipment Dealer Team) +7.562s

5. Niclas Gronholm (Construction Equipment Dealer Team) +2 laps

Wednesday 9 February 2022

INTERVIEW - Kristoffersson "always believed" a fourth title was possible despite points deficit in final round.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
In recent years, fans have been spoilt with the opportunity to witness true greats at their peaks, the likes of Sebastien Ogier, Marc Marquez, Johan Kristoffersson, and Lewis Hamilton.

Athletes whether it be in racing or athletics, they tend to push themselves to higher levels in order to succeed in life because as we all know “success is not given, it’s earned!”. Something four-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson knows all too well having broken every record in the book, and set a couple of new records. 

A career that spanned over seven seasons in the FIA World Rallycross Championship has seen the Swede claim four titles in 67 starts, 27 wins, and 78 qualifying heat wins, a record yet to be beaten. 

Some may argue that Johan’s success can be attributed to the very competitive Volkswagen Motorsport Polo R that he raced from 2017 to 2018, but recently without factory support, we’ve seen the championship-winning Swede show his incredible talents fighting for victories against the stiffest of competition in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. 

The fightback last year (2021), may have been his hardest to date having had to overcome a number of issues, from reliability to penalties for infringements of the regulations. But, the multiple World Champion did not let that phase him any one bit, despite being 28-points down after the first three rounds. He kept focused and went on to claim a first victory of the season at round 5 in Latvia, which would turn his season around completely. 

With two rounds remaining in the 2021 campaign, 17 points were the difference between Timmy Hansen and Kristoffersson, it seemed like a very tall order, but there is no discounting a determined Champion who approached the weekend in a very calm manner. 

The pressure was on, and it immediately reared its head, as championship leader Timmy Hansen was disqualified from the semi-final for an incident with Niclas Gronholm meaning Kristoffersson would have the opportunity to narrow the points gap, which he did successfully.

One round to go, and just four points splitting the top two, it was Kristoffersson who would prevail in the very last race of the season with a third-place finish to clinch a fourth World Title on countback, a scene last-seen in 2019 where Timmy Hansen came out on top.  

Fresh from clinching another championship, Kristoffersson had more work on his hands. The Rosberg Xtreme Racing team were leading the Extreme E championship ahead of X44’s Sebastien Loeb and Cristina Gutierrez Herrero, but with a clear strategy, Kristoffersson and team-mate Molly Taylor kept it clean in the final and finished the season on equal points, meaning they claimed the inaugural Extreme E championship by virtue of more event wins. 

With a few months to reflect on, his incredible achievements, Johan Kristoffersson has already confirmed his plans for the coming year. The Swede will return to defend his World RX title with family-run Kristoffersson Motorsport under the banner Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS and return to Extreme E with the Rosberg Xtreme Racing team. 

We sat down with the four-time World Champion to talk all things World Rallycross, from the new electric era to the car he will race in 2022 and more… 

JS: Congratulations on achieving your fourth World Championship. Did you think winning the title was possible heading into the final round with a 17-point deficit to Timmy Hansen?

Johan Kristoffersson: “I always believed that winning would be possible because in motorsport anything can happen.”

In any sport, pressure can make or break an individual, but as we’ve seen through the years. You are always cool, calm, collected, and focused. It may be a strange question to ask, but do you ever feel pressure or feel pressured heading into a race weekend? And, how do you keep focused and calm?

JK: “The pressure I put on myself is more between the race weekends, as I want to be as well prepared as I can be when I’m on the race weekend.”

“On the race weekend, I can only do my best and hope that the preparation I’ve done is good enough. And most important, don’t forget to have fun!”

Fun is always forgotten when you are in the heat of a tense championship battle, but that’s quite an interesting point. 

You have had some rather unfortunate incidents last season, whether it be the disconnection of your data logger (DSQ) or mechanical issues that cost you valuable points. 

How do you as a driver approach each race weekend knowing that you had a points deficit and need to start gaining points on your rival?

JK: “I analyze previous race weekends, adjust and try to do better in the next race. That’s it, I can’t do more than my best.” 

Kristoffersson leading rival Timmy Hansen.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool.
Having driven Volkswagen machinery for most of his career. Kristoffersson took the leap, and joined the KYB EKS JC squad in 2021, a story that all started after Mattias Ekström published an April Fools’ post on his social media channels that Johan would race for his team, and that was how the whole conversation started.

Being so accustomed to Volkswagen Supercars, adaption to something new is not always easy. So, how hard was it to take a step into new machinery with so many different components? And, where changes were made to cater to his driving style? 

JK: “Some adaptations were made to the car and my driving. We had a very good team around the car with a mix of people I’ve worked with before, which makes it easy to quickly understand each other, and EKS JC had a lot of experience with the car. That together made it easier to get comfortable quickly, and we showed brilliant speed already at round one in Barcelona.”

The title G.O.A.T. is something not many can claim, but those who can are the Greatest of All Time in their respective fields. The acronym is often used to praise exceptional athletes from the many different disciplines, namely: Michael Schumacher, Michael Jordan, Sebastien Loeb, Muhammad Ali, Sebastien Ogier, Valentino Rossi, Lewis Hamilton, etc. 

In recent years, it’s pretty clear that we’ve witnessed the emergence of a new G.O.A.T., in the form of Johan Kristoffersson. A driver who has surpassed all the records set in the championship since its inaugural season in 2014. 

Kristoffersson has rewritten the rallycross history books with all his successes on and off-track, which clearly makes him a "Greatest Of All Time" in World RX. Does this title mean anything to you, or do you thinking of it at all?

JK: “It means nothing! I do think about it, but I would rather like to continue collecting more trophies in World RX. That is my main focus!”

With the formal confirmation of your return in 2022 with one of three Volkwagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS cars. Could you give us any clue on the body shell that your team will use in the new electric era of World RX?

JK: “Our car will be a modified electric Volkswagen Polo R5.”

Kristoffersson last raced a Volkswagen Polo R5 at the 2021 WRC - Arctic Rally Finland where he finished fifth in class (27th overall). 

Many fans have been apprehensive about the full switch to electric power in rallycross. How do you feel about the move? 

JK: “It will be a very challenging year with so many new things in the regulations. Both for drivers and the teams building the cars. I think the racing on track will be closer than ever because every team will use the same battery pack and powertrain.”

“Hopefully, World RX will attract more manufacturers and top-level drivers to make the series as good as it deserves to be in my opinion.”

2021 Extreme E Champions - Rosberg Xtreme Racing: Kristoffersson and Taylor.
PHOTO CREDIT: Rosberg Xtreme Racing.
You’ve competed in World RX, RallyX Nordic, STCC, Gymkana Grid, to name a few, but last year, we saw you make the most to something completely different, Extreme E. It was a challenging season with thrills and spills, but you and Molly Taylor came out on top and clinched the inaugural championship for the Rosberg Xtreme Racing Team. Did you find it challenging to make the switch from rallycross to the off-road Extreme E series? And, if you could explain, what were the biggest challenges that you faced with the switch?

JK: “The Extreme E car is a lot heavier and bigger than I’ve ever driven before, and as you know I’ve never done off-road racing. It was very difficult to judge and understand the terrain that the car could and could not handle. As off-road use to be a bit more long-distance race, Extreme E is very much a sprint race and every tenth of a second counts. Sharing the car with Molly [Taylor] was also a new experience and switching drivers during the race was a challenge. In the end, all turned out good and we, manage to win!”

A new era of World RX awaits with new opportunities, but one thing is for sure, the name Johan Kristoffersson will be right up there setting new records.

Monday 17 January 2022

Kristoffersson commits to World RX title defense with Volkswagen.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Four-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson has set his sights on a fifth drivers' title, following confirmation that he will return in a Kristoffersson Motorsport-run Volkswagen, as the series prepares for its inaugural electric era. 

Kristoffersson is the most successful driver in World RX history, having clinched a fourth World Championship in dramatic circumstances at the Nürburgring last November overturning a 17-point deficit to fellow countrymen Timmy Hansen to win on countback.

That achievement came behind the wheel of an EKS JC-prepared Audi S1, but the 33-year-old's three previous titles were all secured in Volkswagen machinery, meaning Kristoffersson will return in familiar surroundings.

KMS will field three electric Volkswagens during the inaugural electric season in 2022, with the precise model and Kristoffersson’s team-mates yet to be unveiled. 

"Johan Kristoffersson is one of the biggest motorsport names Sweden has ever known. Four FIA World Rallycross Championship titles is an outstanding accomplishment, and we wish him all the best now that he is taking the step into the sport’s new electric era – most importantly, with a Volkswagen emblem on the front of his car," Sten Forsberg, CEO, Volkswagen Sweden, said.

Every car will be powered by the Kreisel RX1e kit that produces around 500kW with twin motorsport equivalent of 680bhp with 880Nm of instant torque. 

"It feels inspiring to be involved in developing the new concept. The last time we undertook a project on a scale of this kind was in 2014, when we built our own cars for the first season of the World Championship. The big difference is that back then, I was completely inexperienced in rallycross – whereas things are a little different now," Kristoffersson said.

"There are obviously a lot of unknowns when everything is so new. In recent years, we have all followed proven concepts, so the development steps have been comparatively small – but there is much greater potential with these new cars. Electricity is the future for both motorsport and the automotive industry in general, and helping to drive that development is one of the most fascinating aspects of the sport for me. I expect an incredibly tough and competitive season ahead, and I’m excited to get started!"

The team founded by former FIA European Rallycross Championship front-runner and multiple Swedish Champion Tommy Kristoffersson is under no illusion that the switch to electric will be a challenge, but they are ready to tackle it head-on.

"This will be the largest project in KMS’ history, with a small family business building and developing three new cars in accordance with a new concept. That clearly comes with great personal responsibility, but we can rely upon a team of extremely skilled individuals as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience from Germany and within our own workshop in Arvika," Tommy Kristoffersson said.

"It’s a great privilege to work in such an environment, and at this level, you realise that the more you learn, the more you understand how little you actually know! We are looking forward to putting to use all the lessons we have learned over the years in this exciting new adventure – and to challenging for the world championship under our own steam once again."

The 2022 championship is set to get underway in Höljes on 2-3 July, followed by rounds at the Nürburgring, Norway, Rīga, Montalegre, Belgium, and Cape Town (TBC).

Wednesday 6 October 2021

Kristoffersson Motorsport commits to a three-car team for the new electric era.

PHOTO CREDIT: Johan Kristoffersson
Reigning World Rallycross Championship team Kristoffersson Motorsport (KMS) has become the first confirmed team to commit to the FIA World Rallycross Championship's new electric era by announcing a three-car team for 2022.  

Rallycross Promoter GmbH revealed last week that 14 kits have been reserved from Austrian firm Kreisel Electric, the company behind the RX1e car that is set to truly electrify World RX.

Founded by former FIA European Rallycross Championship front-runner and multiple Swedish title-winner Tommy Kristoffersson – father of three-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson – the eponymously-named Kristoffersson Motorsport outfit has achieved considerable success in both rallycross and touring car racing.

KMS entered the rallycross EC in the 1980s. Thereafter team-owner Tommy Kristoffersson, himself topped his career with a third-place finish in the 1993 European Championship. 

When Kristoffersson Motorsport returned to rallycross in the late 2010s, it was with son Johan Kristoffersson at the wheel. A few years later, in 2020 the team achieved their greatest success, the FIA World Rallycross Championship single handily. 

"We have already won one World Championship title with our own team last year,  but to fight for the first-ever World Championship crown with electric rallycross cars is the ultimate challenge and one that really inspires us – it was simply an opportunity that was far too good to turn down," Tommy Kristoffersson, Team Owner Kristoffersson Motorsport, said.

"We have a lot of history in rallycross – this is what we do best – and we had several options available to us for 2022, but I was not interested in starting something if we could not do it properly. Thankfully, like us, our new investors truly believe in the future of electric rallycross and are ready to embrace this exciting change.

"We have great faith in the promoter and believe these cars have fantastic development potential and will produce spectacular entertainment – they will be extremely fast. I am absolutely convinced that we will create a product that will make fans raise their eyebrows and drop their jaws."

Kristoffersson confirms that they are yet to put the important parts of the puzzle together for the new era of rallycross. 

"Now, our main focus switches to finding a manufacturer we can compete with and the right drivers to do the job..." he concludes.

Monday 16 August 2021

Kristoffersson doubles up in RallyX Nordic Superfinalen.

PHOTO CREDIT: Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS/QNIGAN
"Two for the price of one" as Johan Kristoffersson clinches the RallyX Nordic and Swedish Championship(s) on home soil at the Westombana.

"[This is] my second Swedish Championship gold, and my first Nordic title. It's extra fun to win at home," the champion said. 

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the three-time World Champion who had encountered a number of issues throughout the season, but despite the issues, he clinched the title(s) after clinching the top qualifiers spot on Sunday. 

This weekend wasn't trouble-free for the Volkswagen Dealer team BAUHAUS driver. 

"We had some trouble," he said. "There was a lot going on in the background. Not everything has been completely optimal, but fortunately, this is a technical course that I also know very well, so I have been able to assert myself anyway."

Tommy Kristoffersson, team manager, has clarified all the hardships that his team has put in place to secure the title(s). 

"Our mechanics have worked tirelessly with adjustments and changes. And we have also had good service from our suppliers," Tommy Kristoffersson said. "Mats Karlsson from Säffle even showed up here in the port of Arvika with spare parts. Delivery by boat we have never experienced before!"

In order to claim the SM title (Swedish Championship) a driver/team requires a weekend at the peak performance from the team's Volkswagen Polo GTI RX KMS.

"It is a material sport and there were cars on site here that are more up to date than our old car, but we show that we are good at picking out the best of the material. This is a great team victory for the KMS concept: our partners, mechanics and drivers," the 62-year-old Swede said. 

"One should also not forget Johan's role off the field, his communication with the mechanics, and all the work he puts into development to get the most out of the material. These are not ordinary days and work shifts he does.

We have had an incredible willingness to deliver to our loyal partners Volkswagen and Bauhaus, but now afterwards it feels a bit sentimental because the future is so uncertain. We do not know anything at the moment, but of course, we hope to find solutions to pick up new threads."

Tuesday 10 August 2021

Kristoffersson on verge of RallyX Nordic title.

PHOTO CREDIT: QNIGAN/Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS
Three-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson is on the verge of clinching two titles - in RallyX Nordic and the Swedish Championships in Arvika this weekend. 

"I like the track. It is technically interesting, but it is a good starting field so it will be a struggle," Kristoffersson says.

If last year's final is anything to go by, where Johan Kristofferson claimed victory in a tight duel with Oliver Eriksson, fans are in for a thriller!

"It was one of the best finals last year when Oliver and I had that fight," he said.

The Kristoffersson Motorsport driver will race the Volkswagen Polo GTI RX supercar and is also challenging for a win in the Swedish Championship for RX1, which is decided in this superfinal race only. The triple world champion won his first domestic rallycross championship last year and is now aiming for a second title.

Currently, Johan is 27 points ahead of second-place Niclas Grönholm, who will not race in Arvika. On the other hand, the third-placed Sondre Evjen, who has 108. 

Should Kristoffersson score a few more points he will secure the RallyX Nordic title, but he is aware that he needs the perfect weekend on home soil. 

"It is a narrow track, so it is important to get to the starts and stay away from problems," the Swede said.

Saturday 15 May 2021

Grönholm and McConnell share overnight TQ honors in Höljes.

PHOTO CREDIT: RallyX Nordic.
Niclas Grönholm and Fraser McConnell draw level on points midway through qualifying for Round 4 of the RallyX Nordic championship in Höljes.

Both drivers picked up 90 points from their two qualifying heats, both claiming a win and the fourth-best time, which see them on equal points at the top of the Supercar class intermediate standings. 

Changeable conditions did not impact the on-track action, as McConnell stamped his authority on Q1, with a mighty strong start out of blocks with Grönholm and Anton Marklund slotting in behind. Thereafter, the Jamaican showed blistering pace in his Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta Supercar to win by a margin of 3.055 seconds in Q1.

Having set the fourth-fastest time in Q1. Niclas Grönholm launched a fightback in Q2, and despite not getting the perfect start. He drew level with Fraser and squeeze Marklund and Kristoffersson to back off and slot in behind. On the run into turn 2, the Finn took the joker lap with an aim to benefit in clear air. 

Marklund, who was right on the bumper of McConnell spun off from second-place, dropping to the rear of the field on the first lap clearing the way for Szabo, Grönholm, and Kristoffersson behind. 

With a clear pace advantage, Niclas latched onto the rear of Krisztian Szabo who strategically jokered on lap 2 to make life easier for his team-mate. The ice-cool Finn started chipping away at Fraser's lead in the wet conditions, and as McConnell jokered. Who emerged in the lead? None other than Niclas Grönholm who won Q2. 

Three-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson had a day to forget after suffering from a turbo hose issue, which slowed him down quite considerably in Q1. After two qualifying sessions, Johan is six points behind Grönholm and McConnell in the intermediate standings, with his immediate championship Sondre Evjen a point further back in fourth. 

What will happen on day 2 is anyone guess? But it's all to play for tomorrow! 

Tuesday 29 December 2020

Kristoffersson "working on it" to secure 2021 World RX return.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX
Three-time Champion Johan Kristoffersson is working on all avenues to return to the World Rallycross Championship in 2021. 

After a one-year hiatus from the championship following Volkswagen Motorsport's withdrawal. Kristoffersson announced his return to the highly competitive championship, in a hired 2018 specification Volkswagen Polo R Supercar. 

Whilst the stage was set for a thrilling 2020 season. The World RX championship along with many other motorsport categories were put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, and with a later start to the season (in August) than usual. The calendar was altered to consist of 10-rounds with three doubleheaders and four stand-alone events, but that soon changed as things worsened globally. 

The final adjusted calendar saw the season consist of four doubleheaders at four different European venues equalling eight rounds in total. 

Johan Kristoffersson leading Robin Larsson (KYB Team JC)
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX
Betting odds would suggest that Johan would dominate the season from start to finish. However, that was not to be. Why? Because the master tactician returned. 

Mattias Ekstrom returned to the championship with KYB Team JC and proved to be a championship contender from the get-go. While Kristoffersson failed to win round two of the championship (on Sunday in Sweden), it was pretty clear that he thrilled by the prospects of a close and competitive season. 

Johan went on to claim four wins, two second-place finishes, a third-place finish, and his worst result of the season, a fourth-place finish in Finland (round four). It was quite evident that his rivals found performance over the off-season and in 2019, whilst Kristoffersson's hired VW Polo R Supercar had a few updates, including a WRC specification rear wing. 

The 32-year-old Swede had a flawless season in terms of reliability and staying away from trouble (punctures and bad car damage) which helped shape his championship fight. Those around him ran into trouble, but he only had a minor scare in Kouvola which was solved almost immediately.

Leading the championship by 27-points with one round remaining at the Nurburgring, news filtered through that the final round(s) of the 2020 FIA World Rallycross Championship would be canceled due to the second wave of coronavirus in Germany. Following the announcement, Johan was declared the 2020 FIA World Rallycross Champions and later received the official FIA trophy at the FIA Virtual Prize Giving. 

Johan Kristoffersson is officially the most successful World Rallycross Championship driver of all time, and despite being announced as an official Rosberg Xtreme Racing driver for the 2021 Extreme E series. The Swede is also working on a potential return to the World RX in 2021. However, his hopes hit a stumbling block after Volkswagen Motorsport announced their withdrawal from all forms of motorsport at the end of 2020, but he admits that he is "working on it".

"We are working on that at the moment. The last two rounds of the rallycross championship got canceled, so the season ran pretty short anyway, and we were not really prepared for the season to end so fast. So, we didn't really have time to think about 2021 yet, and then the news came from Volkswagen that they are going to stop competing in motorsport," Kristoffersson said.  

"[Right now] we are working on a solution to see what we can do, and what we can find out. The biggest support for our team in 2020 came from the local dealers, Volkswagen Sweden together with BAUHAUS."

"We will try to continue that work and let's see what's going to happen with the car that I used in 2020. At the moment I don't know but we are working on it," he concludes.

Speaking at the FIA Prize Giving Virtual Press Conference, Johan said teams can begin to prepare for the season ahead following the release of the 2021 calendar.

"We have the 2021 calendar now, so in terms of that I think the teams can prepare, and for 2021 there isn't a huge difference in the regulations compared to '20. So, I think in terms of that there are no worries," he said.

Kristoffersson says the new promoters of the World Rallycross Championship should immediately start working towards the electric future of the sport, as he believes it's more crucial. 

"I also think as soon as we get a new promoter. They should start to work towards the electric future and make a decision quite soon on what's going to happen. So, that teams can prepare for 2022, I think is more crucial."

Can Johan Kristoffersson go for a fourth championship title in 2021? Time will tell! 

Written By - Junaid Samodien

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Kristoffersson left emotional after clinching third title "with our own team".

PHOTO CREDIT: Morgan Carlsson
Johan Kristoffersson has been crowned a three-time FIA World Rallycross Champion following the cancellation of the season finale at the Nurburgring. 

With a healthy 27-point lead to Mattias Ekström with one round to go (in Germany). Johan has been declared the 2020 FIA World Rallycross Champion following the cancellation of the World RX of Germany earlier today. 

Kristoffersson aimed to end the season on a high in Germany, but due to the surge in coronavirus cases in Germany, the season has unfortunately come to a premature conclusion. The 2020 season was set to get underway in April earlier this year but was delayed due to the pandemic, and eventually got underway in August in Höljes, Sweden. 

As the condensed season progressed, it was clear that there would be more double-headers than standalone events, but something that was clear from the get-go was that Johan was hungry for success. He claimed a win at each event and only missed out on a podium in Finland (round 4). 

With news that the planned season was canceled, it meant the season ended with a bang in Barcelona where Johan came out on top with a win. There were four double-headers this season, with the Swede ending on top, just like 2017 and 2018. 

"The first time is obviously something special, and the second title is memorable as I won eleven of twelve rounds. Now, it is emotional because we did it with our own team, where everything started some years ago," Johan Kristoffersson said. 

The 31-year-old Swede admits that it has been a very odd season, and a rather stressful one with him trying to avoid getting infected, as COVID-19 grabbed hold of the world this year. 

"A lot of instructions and restrictions to follow and a bit stressful trying to stay away from the infection. Some people have it without showing symptoms so you never know," he said.

Ahead of the season, Kristoffersson used the RallyX Nordic as a warm-up event in his 2016 KMS built Polo GTI RX. However, for the 2020 FIA World Rallycross Championship, the Swede hired a 2018 Polo R Supercar from Volkswagen Motorsport. A car that was previously used by Petter Solberg in the 2018 season.

"We hardly believed in it ourselves, but we wouldn't take no for an answer and finally put all the pieces together," he adds.

Johan won four rounds of eight, three of them on Saturdays.

"Throughout the years I have vastly improved my ability to find the pace early on," Kristoffersson said. "You have to do your homework about the grip and style of driving, and so has the rest of the team."

His first win on a Sunday came in the final round of the season in Spain (Barcelona), also the most memorable round in Johan's view.

"The semi-final in Barcelona! We looked beaten all day but turned everything around and for the first time that weekend, I could enjoy the track properly, doing that ahead of Ekström. A great feeling!" he said.

With a third title this season, Johan is officially in a league of his own having broken records throughout his illustrious career. 

A noteworthy achievement was the mind-blowing 11 wins from 12 events in 2018, a feat that any driver could dream of, but with that being said. 

The 2020 World Rallycross Championship season has now come to a premature end, which leaves one question on the table. Will Johan return in 2021 for another title bout? 

"It's too early to say, but it would be great fun!," the three-time World Champion said.

Written By - Junaid Samodien