Ekstrom fights back to take TQ in Holjes.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media. 

Mattias Ekstrom took the quickest time in Q2 at the first round of the 2020 FIA World Rallycross Championship to take the top qualifiers position.

On a drying track in Q2, the 2016 World Champion Ekstrom took the lead in Race 4 ahead of Johan Kristoffersson, but with smart team tactics, Robin Larsson was able to push his way ahead of Kristoffersson to lead into the joker. 

With Kristoffersson right behind Larsson throughout the race, we weren't able to see the double world champions true pace in the session, but Ekstrom capitalized on this and set consecutive fastest laps to have a clear gap when he eventually took his joker lap to emerge in the lead ahead of Larsson and Kristoffersson. 

Third in the current order after Q2 is Swede Anton Marklund who won both of his qualifying races, and is the fastest GC Kompetition driver by far, with KYB Team JC's Robin Larsson hot on his hills. 

Finn Niclas Gronholm is comfortable in his GRX Taneco Hyundai i20 Supercar, while his teammate Timerzyanov got his weekend off to a bad start with a right front wheel suspension issue in Q1. 

Defending World RX Champion Timmy Hansen has not had the best starts thus far and is currently seventh in the overall standings after Q2 with younger brother Kevin Hansen right behind in eighth. 

The real shocker thus far is seeing 2019 runner-up Andreas Bakkerud in thirteenth overall after stalling in Q1, and a bad start in Q2, but the Norweigan will fight back. Bakkerud's teammate Liam Doran was unable to start the Q2 after his Renault Megane R.S. RX caught fire in the paddock at the end of Q1. 

One qualifying session remains followed by the semi-finals and finals for the first round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship double-header in Holjes. 

Written By - Junaid Samodien

Ekström to make RX return for season opener in Holjes.

PHOTO CREDIT: JC Raceteknik.

Former World Rallycross Champion Mattias Ekström will make a return to World RX for the 2020 season-opener in Sweden this weekend with KYB Team JC, replacing Jānis Baumanis. 

Having announced his retirement from World RX at the end of the 2018 season. Ekström made his rallycross return last year at the World RX of Benelux with JC Raceteknik in his 2016 championship-winning Audi S1. Later that year, he also raced in the RallyX Nordic finale at Tierp, alongside Robin Larsson who he will race alongside this weekend. 

Baumanis will not be able to take part in the full World RX season with KYB Team JC due to the economic effects of the Coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic creating budget problems for the Latvian driver.

Mattias Ekström has won twice before on his home circuit, in 2014 and 2015, and won the World RX Drivers’ title in 2016, which makes him the ideal candidate to replace Baumanis.

"Since we have a vacant Audi S1 ​​EKS Supercar for Holjes, I contacted Mattias," Joel Christoffersson, KYB Team JC Team Principal said. "He has been a guest driver in the team twice before and thought, just like us, that it would be great fun to drive in his home race. Mattias will be a strong addition to KYB Team JC. He is a driver with many tips and tricks and if there is anyone who knows these cars, it’s him. It will definitely be an advantage for both Robin and us as a team to have him with us."

"It’s sad that Janis won’t race in the full World Championship with KYB Team JC this year, I and the whole team had really looked forward to this collaboration. But given the situation around Covid-19, I think everyone understands that something like this could happen and I hope we can take up the collaboration with him again."

The 2016 World RX Champion will test at Dalarna in Sweden on Tuesday ahead of his rallycross return this weekend. 

"It's always fun to compete. Rallycross has, and has always had, fast and fun cars that I enjoy driving," Ekström said. "So, competing with Joel and JC again feels good, especially after the final round of RallyX Nordic at Tierp last season where I had the opportunity to give Robin some support. Robin has already won an event at Holjes this year, so is already in the groove."

"My biggest priority this weekend is to have as much fun as possible. But of course, the day I do not dream of winning is the day I stop competing."

"The goal is always a trophy, but then we will see what is realistic according to the conditions. Holjes is always special, but this year it will be something completely unique without the fans. It’s a strange feeling, but still exciting."

Written By - Junaid Samodien