GRX Taneco secures fourth in the teams' championship.

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien.

GRX Taneco with two new Hyundai i20 Supercars secured fourth place in the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship. 

“What a season!” said Jussi Pinomäki, GRX Taneco Team Manager. “We started from scratch and I’m proud of where we are today. It was a huge challenge and everyone on the team has contributed to this year’s success, all working with determination and real passion."

The World RX of South Africa proved to be a challenge for the team, but they achieved their goal with Timur Timerzyanov making it through to the semi-finals once again. 

Saturday, was a day to forget for the team. Grönholm was in 14th place after getting caught up in the traffic and losing a lot of time in the first corner, while teammate Timerzyanov,  dropped to P16 after a puncture and finished 15th overall at the end of the day. 

“We had a good start but with the dust, visibility was very poor and I hit the barrier before the jump, landing on the side. That’s what caused the puncture to the rear left tyre. It was my fault…” said Timerzyanov. 

In Q3, Grönholm got off to a good start but found himself caught in traffic at Turn One again. He battled hard to catch up but the Finn could only finish 14th and dropped out of the Top 12 in the overall standings. He finished P12 after Q4, so just missed out on the semi-final. 

”I really hoped for much better in this last race. It’s the first time that I’ve failed to make it into the semis this season,” said Grönholm.”I just couldn’t find my pace this weekend and I had real trouble getting round that first corner ahead of the others each race, so I lost a lot of valuable time. I’d like to thank GRX Taneco."

"The team has done a fantastic job all year. It’s been a privilege to have worked with the team,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Grönholm's teammate Timerzyanov with a skillful drive in Q3, finished in eighth moving him up from 15th to ninth position in the overall standings. 

In the final qualifying [Q4] session, he came in 11th, enough to put him through to the semi-final. He started from the back but scrambled up to fourth place in the first semi-final. It was not enough for Russian to progress to the final but he can still be pleased with his performance in South Africa.  

”I’m delighted to end the season on a high note,” said Timerzyanov. “We managed to make it back up the standings after a tough first day and my ticket for the semis was a great reward. Of course, it would have been amazing to get through to the final but, starting from the back, it was too much of a challenge. It’s been a demanding year and each one of us has given their all to make the season a success."

"I’d like to thank the whole team!” the Russian concluded.

Andreas Bakkerud called up for Audi DTM rookie test.

Andreas Bakkerud sliding his EKS Audi Sport S1 Quattro Supercar.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien.

FIA World Rallycross driver Andreas Bakkerud headlines a list of six drivers that have been called up by Audi for the end-of-season DTM rookie test.

The six drivers will be given the opportunity to test a Audi RS 5 DTM on track in Jerez from December 10–12. 

Bakkerud has to date won six events and has been a regular World RX frontrunner since the series' inception in 2014. The Norwegian joined Mattias Ekstrom's Audi factory supported EKS team in 2018. Bakkerud's future in World RX is uncertain after Audi announced there withdrawal of factory support to the EKS outfit, and Ekstrom announced that he does not know the future of his EKS team for 2019.  

Joining Bakkerud on the list of six drivers is three-time Le Mans winner and former champion of the Japanese Super GT, Benoît Tréluyer, as well as GT and touring car racer Frederic Vervisch.

Vervisch has been successful in the Audi Sport customer racing program with WRT over the years.

In addition, Vincent Vosse’s Team WRT who are joining the DTM grid in 2019, will use its first opportunity to attend a test in order to prepare for the championship.

Audi have also named three young drivers who will also test the RS5 DTM car. 

Italian Mattia Drudi, who finished in the runner-up spot to Lance Stroll, and left a strong impression in the Audi R8 LMS this season.

Two Formula 3 drivers will also be behind the wheel of the Audi DTM machine: Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg and Jonathan Aberdein from South Africa. 

Audi are yet to announce their 2019 DTM driver line-up.

Ekström claims runners-up title with second place in World RX season finale.

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

EKS Audi Sport's Mattias Ekström once again claimed the runners-up title in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX). The Swede also finished the final race of the season in Cape Town in second place behind the 2018 World Champion Johan Kristoffersson.

Mattias Ekström started the final from the back row, but he never gave up and fought his way to second place. The Swede overtook Sébastien Loeb on the opening lap. Shortly after, he also caught and passed Petter Solberg.

“We actually came to Cape Town to win the race,” said Ekström. “We were fast throughout the entire weekend, but somehow didn’t get into the right rhythm. In the finale things finally fell into place. Second is a fantastic result and a good end to a long season, in which Johan (Kristoffersson) was always a small step ahead. Even so, I’m extremely proud of the entire team: We extracted the maximum from our resources. It was also a fabulous year with Andreas (Bakkerud). We had a lot of fun together and have something to celebrate this evening.”

After four qualifying round, Ekström teammate Andreas Bakkerud was one place in front of Ekström and had reduced the deficit from four to three points in the race for silver. 

In the semi-finals, Bakkerud hit the back of Kevin Hansen and was forced to park his Audi S1 EKS RX quattro suffering front right suspension damage. He nevertheless clinched third place in the drivers’ world championship.

“I touched Kevin Hansen and damaged my car’s steering. It’s a great shame that I had to give up in the semi-final. Despite all this I’m extremely satisfied with my year," said Bakkerud. "I finished third in the World Championship and working together with EKS Audi Sport was fantastic throughput the whole year. The mechanics, the chef, the media team, the truckie – each and everyone did a perfect job. And above all of course Mattias who I warmly congratulate for the World Championship runner-up title.”

After securing second place in the teams' standings, Mattias announced his withdrawal from the World Rallycross Championship, as a full-time driver. 

Audi also announced earlier this year that they will withdraw factory support to the EKS squad. 

“That was probably the last race for EKS Audi Sport as a factory-supported team in the World Rallycross Championship,” said Mattias Ekström. “After five amazing years it’s a very emotional moment for all of us. But I think we concluded this fantastic chapter with style today.”

Speedmachine 2019 early bird tickets have now gone on sale.

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

Early bird tickets have gone on sale from today for the 2019 Speedmachine Festival at Silverstone, offering World RX fans the best possible rates for the UK round of the all-action FIA World Rallycross Championship.

An epic weekend of motorsport, music, street food and entertainment, Speedmachine Festival effortlessly fuses fast cars and the world’s finest drivers with some of the hottest acts around and a whole host of family-friendly off-track activities to enjoy. What’s more, the second edition of the ultimate adrenaline-fuelled weekender is set to build upon the success of a hugely popular debut this year.

The 2019 event will take place on 25/26 May, and early bird tickets are now on sale for a limited time – beginning at £30 for a day pass.

Fans can similarly purchase weekend tickets, which provide grandstand seats for the whole weekend. After the initial pre-sale period, public sales will launch at 10am on 5 December.

“After the success of the inaugural Speedmachine Festival last year, we are fully focused on pulling out all the stops to make the 2019 edition even more spectacular," said World RX Managing Director for IMG, Paul Bellamy. "We are busy putting the finishing touches to what promises to be a superb weekend of entertainment both on and off-track, with many more exciting announcements to come over the following weeks and months.”

For further information on Speedmachine Festival and what fans have to look forward to – including news on headline acts, camping and more – head to Speedmachine.com for all the latest updates and announcements for what promises to be an incredible weekend. 

REVIEW: The Super Swede Kristoffersson's record breaking run continues in South Africa.

The 2018 Gumtree World RX of South Africa FINAL
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

The 2017/18 FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson claimed victory at the World RX of South Africa, in the championships final round in Cape Town.

Kristoffersson claimed victory in Cape Town last year, and came back fighting after a challenging Q1 session finishing 16th overall due to a turbo issue. 

The Swede hit back after Q2 winning the session. He later claimed two of the quickest qualifying times to claim his eighth TQ (top qualifier) of the season. Kristoffersson claimed victory in the semi-final, but no one could come close to his superb speed.

After topping the semi-final round, Johan started on pole with his teammate Solberg alongside him on the front row. Kristoffersson had a good start and took the lead into Turn 1... He went on to cement himself in the record books with his 11th win of the 12 round championship. 

“I have to say today is quite emotional. This season comes to an end and it’s been a fantastic year for me, really the world championship title sinks in a little bit more now. I really have to thank this great team, they have done everything for me,” said Kristoffersson. “Without them it wouldn’t be possible. I have said that so many times since my first victory in Belgium 2017, but this one meant a lot to me.”

Mattias Ekstrom [EKS Audi Sport] started on the third row of the grid for the final and slotted into second in the race with a strong start. With the second place finish, the Swede secured second in the World RX Drivers’ Championship. 

The Swede was pleased to finish his year and World RX career on the podium. “We actually came to Cape Town to win the race. We were fast throughout the entire weekend, but somehow didn’t get into the right rhythm,” said Ekstrom. “In the final things finally fell into place. Second is a fantastic result and a good end to a long season, in which Johan was always a small step ahead. Even so, I’m extremely proud of the entire team: We extracted the maximum from our resources. It was also a fabulous year with Andreas.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

Sebastien Loeb [Team Peugeot Total] completed his third full World RX season with another podium and finished ahead of team mate Kevin Hansen in the final.

“The car was good here, we improved it all year and since the middle of the season we have changed a lot of things,” said Loeb. “I think we had good performance, we tried to improve some details and here in the last race were really competitive. I had a good weekend and finally to be third overall, I’m happy.”

Petter Solberg [PSRX Volkswagen Sweden] won the Monster Energy Supercharge Award for having the fastest reaction time at the start of the final, but retired on the second lap after a spin involving Timmy Hansen. 

Timmy Hansen [Team Peugeot Total] qualified for the final and started alongside teammate Loeb on the second row of the grid for the final but retired after contact with Solberg’s car.

The highest of the privateer teams is GC Kompetition’s Anton Marklund who finished fourth in the semi-finals and didn’t progress to the final. He was classified in eighth place.

Janis Baumanis slotted into ninth place in the overall classification, with Timo Scheider in tenth, Timur Timerzyanov in 11th and Guerlain Chicherit in 12th overall.

Oliver Bennett clipping the Pylons and sliding towards the barriers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien.

GRX’s Niclas Gronholm failed to achieve his goal of securing a place in the final and finished in 13 overall, followed by Olsbergs MSE’s Kevin Eriksson and Robin Larsson in 14th and 15th respectively. Rene Munnich slotted into 16th.

Gregoire Demoustier [Sebastien Loeb Racing’s] finished his first full World RX season in 17th overall in South Africa, while Xite Racing's Oliver Bennett was not classified after a bad weekend. 

The Brit failed to finish in Q1 and Q2. He then posted the slowest time in Q3 after clipping a few yellow pylons and he went into the barrier at the exit of Turn 6 (joker lap). Due to the damage sustained, he failed to start in the fourth and final qualifying round. 

Loeb sets his sights on other challenges outside World RX.

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

Nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb has set his sights on other challenges following Peugeot's withdrawal from the FIA World Rallycross Championship at the end of the 2018 season.

The Frenchman was the only driver capable of preventing the 2018 FIA World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson from claiming a 100% win record. 

He won 2 rounds in his World RX career, and claimed 19 podium appearances to date. 

With an uncertain future ahead for Loeb, he has targeted other challenges, and had  announced earlier this year that he will compete in the 2019 Dakar Rally, in a privateer Peugeot after the manufacturer withdrew at the end of the 2018 event. 

"Yes, its a private programme, because at the moment or next year, I don't know exactly what I will do," said Loeb. "I have been put in the same position as Mattias [Ekstrom]. Peugeot decided to retire from World Rallycross, so that was not great news for us and the team, but its like that, so I need to find some other challenges and I decided to go to Dakar with a private car."

Sébastien Loeb is aware of the challenges that awaits him at the 2018 Dakar Rally in a privateer entry, but relishes the opportunity to compete against the manufacturer teams. 

"For sure it will be different conditions then last year, but its a nice challenge. Its exciting to arrive and to try and fight with the manufacturers," the Frenchman said.

Loeb is uncertain about his future in the World RX, but has hinted of a potential privateer entry in the World Rallycross Championship, but is under no illusion that it will be easy.

"No idea at the moment. For sure I will think to try and build something with the cars and try to run it also as private, but its difficult to find all that we need to do it," said Loeb. "So, for the moment nothing is done. Its complicated!"  

Ekstrom ends full-time World RX career.

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien 

The 2016 FIA World Rallycross Champion Mattias Ekstrom has called time on his World RX career as a full-timer. 

Ekstrom finished second at the World RX of South Africa, and clinched second in the drivers' standings. 

"This will be my last World RX race as a full timer," said Ekstrom. "It was a quite happy end as well."

Ekstrom, a two-time DTM Champion entered the World Rallycross Championship with his own EKS [Ekstrom] team in 2014.

"For me I think I had a fantastic five-years as a driver here and I think for the moment its time for me to close the chapter off and look for other championships," the Swede said.

Audi partnered with EKS for the 2018 season, but later in August [2018] announced their withdrawal from the EKS programme.

"What will happen with the team? We are still not 100% sure, but as soon as we have something to say, we will tell this as well," said Ekstrom. 

The Swede competed in 50 World RX championship rounds, in where he claimed 10 wins and 22 podiums. 

"You know, its been a big chapter of my life and I enjoyed a lot of the battles," said Ekstrom. 

Mattias labelled his on-track World RX battles with Sebastien Loeb as his favourite. 

"I would say my best and favourite battles were with Sebastien [Loeb], he was probably the most fair and the ones I enjoyed the most," said Ekstrom. "The ones with Petter [Solberg] I enjoyed in the beginning and then it got emotional, but that's the part of racing, and also Johan [Kristoffersson] and some other guys had great battles."

"And, again its nice to see all the people from the team here. When you know its for the last time, its something special," he concluded. 

Timo Scheider targets a full-time World RX drive.

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

Double DTM Champion and FIA World Rallycross driver, Timo Scheider has set his sights on a full-time FIA World Rallycross drive for the future. 

Scheider made sporadic appearances in the 2015 and 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship with Münnich Motorsport. The following season (2017), he signed with MJP Racing Team Austria for a full 2017 campaign.

The German returned to World RX in 2018 with the Münnich Motorsport team, but only competed in few rounds. 

"All of you know what I love (rallycross) but for sure, I am trying everything to be back full-time," said Scheider. "But like you all know that we are facing a pretty difficult time in motorsport generally and every category around the world."

Timo believes that motorsport (in general) should fight for its future, but firmly believes that the FIA World Rallycross Championship has a good future.

"I think we should fight for the future because this kind of category has a good future and this is what I would like to see. If the name Timo Scheider is with it, we will see," the German concluded. 

Logistical issues complicate PSRX Volkswagen Sweden's weekend.

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien (phone image)

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden have had a nightmare start to their weekend, after their cars and equipment had not arrived on time, and was stuck on a container ship waiting to dock in Cape Town.

The team missed scrutineering and also missed an afternoon shakedown session. 

Pernilla Solberg, PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team principal: “Right now, the cars are still on the boat in the team’s two containers.” 

“The cars were collected as planned from Hannover on October 23. They were originally scheduled to leave Antwerp to arrive in Cape Town on November 14," said Pernilla Solberg. "For some reason, our two shipping containers didn’t make it onto that boat. Instead, they were put on the boat a week later.”

Reports suggested that the ships weren't able to dock due to high winds. 

“On Wednesday (November 21), which would have still given us time to get the containers off and everything set up," said Pernilla. "Unfortunately, the ship then encountered bad weather on the way down here and even now, high winds are making it difficult for the boat to dock.”

A long night and morning is in store for the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team to be fully prepared for the opening day of racing tomorrow. 

The PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Polo R Supercars arriving.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross

“We are completely in the hands of the weather and the shipping company. As soon as the boat comes in we will bring the container with the cars in straight to the track and start working on preparing the cars for practice tomorrow," says Solberg. "But, obviously, we will have to get the cars scrutineered first.”

The team have had no equipment or cars at the circuit. Today, was basically sitting around and a few media interviews. However, the team is raring to go racing...

“It was already complicated to try to make the silver this weekend, but now it’s got even more complicated. It’s so disappointing," said Petter Solberg. "Johan and me, we are here, we are ready to go, but we just have no car to drive!”


Petter Solberg will incur a 15 point penalty for an engine change after Buxtehude issues, and will be a point above Sebastien Loeb in the race for second place in the championship. 

"We have the chance to make the perfect year: teams’ title and gold and silver in the drivers’, but that is getting more and more complicated by the minute," says Pernilla Solberg. "To be honest, it’s a nightmare.”

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden have officially confirmed that the cars and equipment have now officially arrived at the Killarney International Raceway.

2018 Gumtree World Rallycross of South Africa - TRACK WALK.

The 2018 Gumtree World Rallycross of South Africa gets underway tomorrow at the Killarney International Raceway, with 18 of the best World Rallycross international drivers and 16 RX2 series drivers. 

Let's take a walk around the 1.067 KM circuit, which consists of 60% asphalt and 40% dirt. 

The staging area.

Ready... Line up on the grid gents!

The World Rallycross of South Africa GRID.

POLE POSITION... watch those lights and its GO GO GO! 

Its a long run down to Turn 1. 

We have now approached Turn 1.

Kerb your enthusiasm gents..... 

Kevin Hansen carried quite some speed into Turn 1 and slid into the lead at the exit of Turn 2 in 2017.

Turn 2... Drivers will head onto asphalt. 

Sharp kerbs... Could they lead to punctures? 

From Turn 2... Its an immediate onto the dirt section and into Turn 3.

Heading to the jump.

A rear view of the jump.

From the jump, you are straight onto the merge between dirt and asphalt.

Its still a long way to go before you reach the tight turn 4/5

You have arrived Turn 4/5

Looking back at Turn 4.

You choose... The joker or standard lap

Its rather tight taking the joker lap.

The joker lap on the outside and a dirt standard lap.

The standard lap on dirt with the sharp kerbs. 

A bit twisty on the joker lap

The joker and standard lap merge... Where in 2017 Solberg and Ekstrom had a prang.

A look back at the standard and joker lap merge. 

Its a distance to Turn 7 and 8. 

Fairly tight.. isn't it? 

A look back at Turns 7 and 8.

Its a dash to the line... 

Little bumps if you run wide.

AND....... across the line.

World RX Supercars and stars took to the V&A Waterfront for an exclusive parade.

The V&A Waterfront Parade.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

South African motorsport fans got to up close and personal with some of the world's best drivers and their RX Supercars at the V&A Waterfront today, ahead of the Gumtree World Rallycross of South Africa at Killarney International Raceway on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November 2018.

After a brief park-off, the convoy of World Rallycross Supercars took off from behind the Table Bay Hotel, through the streets of the Waterfront to the Amphitheatre, where they parked their Supercars next to the Big Wheel.

The fans and enthusiasts present where treated to the World's best drivers being interviewed by one of World RX of South Africa Ambassadors - Marius Roberts. 

It was a day not to forget for many fans, who were rubbing shoulders with the likes of Timmy Hansen, Guerlain Chicherit, Kevin Eriksson and Petter Solberg to name a few.

Let's hear from a few of the drivers that were present....

Ashleigh Haigh-Smith [South African driver competing in the RX2 Series]: "With the Supercars you got the big turbos, power and pure grunt. Whenever you move from one series to a feeder series to one make series, the chassis' are the same. Its all prepared by OMSE. Its all by driver ability and that makes it really nice, and fair and square. You could see this whole year that the series has been competitive. So, its all about skill and doing the preparation before the event and going into it committed."

"Last year it was. We did a test prior to the event in a Supercar, up in Sweden. It it was easy.. Do this and it starts. Kevin was the guy who was instructing me and I was shaking in the car, it was the first time that I was nervous. And, then you go into the first corner and you can see nothing. The guys, they nudge and they push, but there is always millimeters between each other."

"What makes the difference between Rallycross and Track racing is you are moving, there are obstacles and you are being nudged and that is really cool."

Guerlain Chicherit: "Yeah! It was a really amazing year. To be honest, it was a bit tough because it was my first full season. I have to learn so much. The car was brand new, so sometimes it was good and sometimes not so good. We learnt alot and super excited. Already looking for next year. We are already starting next year and testing next week already." 

"To be honest, to manage a race weekend is fine and I can just focus on my driving. I have a really, really amazing team around me and they just do everything I need, so I just focus on my driving. Outside the car and the race... to prepare and organise everything. Partners and everything, that is a big job. When the races arrive then its just to focus on my driving and I really love it. The plain is to be really efficient and to fight, as much as possible and to be in the final as much as possible."

"The track was really, really amazing. Good memory from last year and as you said I was driving with RX Lites, so it was less power, but it was good for me because I really needed it to learn the track and to be able to be confident this year. It was important for me last year, but this year we will arrive a bit faster into the first corner that is it." 

Kevin Eriksson: "I was in a private project last year, but this year I am back and I really like this Ford Fiesta March 8. We had high expectations and felt good before the year, but especially with VW, Peugeot and Audi they were a bit ahead of everyone. My teammate (Robin Larsson) was not here before, so I need to help him and get him up to speed."

"When I was younger, it was alot of football and stuff, but my father did not want to push me into motorsport. If you don't want yourself, it will not turn out good for you! But then when I turned 13-14 years old, I had this low level, very low level budget cars... Kind of like rallycross with a lot more heats. I started with that and kinda of got stuck in the motorsport and it was like a drug, and from there I just continued and continued, and took it step-by-step and finally here in the pinnacle of rallycross. Its good to be here! Ofcourse, you get that pressure to kinda of like to be better [that Father] but rallycross is quite funny, because we are alot of sons of former drivers. Me, the Hansen brothers and Kristoffersson. We all have that raced each other. So, its kinda of the second generation now and we are continuing the trend. 

It is a different spectacle now ... Its more series and back then you turn up on the Thursday and have fun on the weekend. Now, its series. I kinda of miss the old days, but like the new days."

PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

Kevin Hansen: "Its quite okay.. I had a big crash as you said last time out and it took a few weeks to recover completely, but now I feel pretty good again. So, now maybe not hundred percent but it doesn't really matter."

"A lot of things happen at turn one, which is really cool on this track and unique. You have Buxtehude where it happens alot and here as well. So, I really look forward to get out on Saturday and Sunday." 

Timmy Hansen: "I am actually very proud of performances that we have done. As you said, a few too many penalties to be in that big fight for second place, which I would have loved to be in that fight. I am a bit further back in the championship. Haven't won a race yet this year. and I came quite close here last year, so I am so excited to come to Cape Town again. I love this town and I will try to give it one last shot with this team and to win for them." 

"Kevin proved it last year... to throw your car in from the outside and come out in the lead. So, it depends on who makes the best start and the you need to carry good speed and then it opens up the inside, strategic game and see where everyone is going." 

Andreas Bakkerud: "[Asked about team orders] Are you sure? I am just joking. Myself and Mattias have had a really cool year together and we have fought hard and fair in every race weekend, so we have been very close to each other this year. Its been a lot of fun, and to wrap up here, in Cape Town with the good crowd we had last year... Hopefully, its going to turn up more this year and then we can make it a good show." 

"First of all, the track is very cool with the layout and the curves, and the little jump and Table Mountain in the background is just awesome. The good thing about here in Cape Town is the wind, so it blows away fast (dust)."

Mattias Ekstrom: "At the end of the day everybody wants to have a good end of the year and some guys have a challenge to fight for championships position, which is great but the other guys also want to end the season high. So, I don't really fully expect to fight Andreas and I do hope that the other guys are hungry as well, so that we can have a great race cause in the end coming from Europe now, its snow and minus degrees and feeling the season is over."

"I think in general the reason why we love rallycross is because of the classical tracks is what caught our attention at one stage, but you also have to see that some of the tracks that were brand new, which is good for the environment around. Maybe not the better and more enjoyable layout of track, but like Barcelona, which is one of my favorites. Then there are a few which are a bit artificial but every track has its own characteristics, good or bad if you like. I did the race in America with Travis Pastrana and that track was insane, but in rallycross as a sport not only the world championship, but there are a lot of great tracks around the world, but its coming down to where all the promoters want to see us race." 

Petter Solberg: "I like this nice weather and its enjoyable. I also have a problem here, there is a shopping centre... You know the credit card gets warm. We have had another fantastic season and Johan had done an incredible job. I am very glad that his in my team and I think in general, we take the teams championship again and it means alot to me and the relationship that we have with Volkswagen. Two years in a row is always difficult and the same time Oliver [Solberg] won the RallyX championship and second in the Rally championship in Latvia. So, for the whole team and the family we have had a fantastic season. When you have passion and dreams, and goals, it is possible and both this combination with getting all the people and the mechanics and everybody with the same dream, they will push the hell out of you."

"That is Mattias, I am talking about. Last year, he won second place going off the road and I was mad. It ended that way last year and then he hit me straight into the wall in Spain, that was shit and so bad you know. But I think coming from DTM you need to be a little bit tough."

"Seven points off? I changed the engine the last race. It was fifteen points off... Me and Loeb, we stick together. The old drivers... young handsome and ....." 

[Stint in a rally car] "That was pretty good! Six years and I had one test day before the race and a new co-driver. The good thing with the co-driver, she was 55 kilos and that helps, you know. I wanted my old co-driver but he was much double weight, so it was really difficult. Coming back to rallying.. It was great feeling. I came there to enjoy it and because of a bit of a sickness I had this year and I was not looking good for the rallycross or the rally. So, I felt like I got better and okay, let's just do it! Coming into third place there was just fantastic because it was the biggest start field in the R5 field and the thing is Sebastien Loeb told me before the race: "Petter, okay... We will have a hell of a party if you win the R5 class and I win the WRC class." And, he came to me after the race and he said: "Petter, I kept my word what about yours?"

"You know.. I want to feel my arse sliding and moving... I think its a great feeling and you have to have fun, and if you can do a bit more faster sideways then its more enjoyable. If you want to go straight, then you go into circuit racing." 

If you do not have your tickets. Get them now at https://www.ticketpros.co.za/portal/web/index.php/event/e70af636-c059-8ee2-c734-5a07fef5649b