PREVIEW: Johan Kristoffersson is on the cusp of a sixth world title, as World RX is set to electrify Hong Kong

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The end is near... the end is here... After months of highs and lows, the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship will reach its conclusion with a double-header in Hong Kong this weekend, as Johan Kristoffersson looks to wrap up a sixth title. 

2023 has had a bit of everything... domination, first wins, destruction and a brand-new venue - Hong Kong to conclude the season. 

Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s famous skyline, in the Central Harbourfront Event Space next to the iconic Victoria Harbour, the newly constructed 1225-metre downtown track will without a doubt be a challenge for drivers with its blend of flat-out straights, flowing corners, tight-and-twisty sections, jump and dramatic joker merge just before the finish line.

"It’ll be fantastic to race on a track right in the middle of downtown and to really bring the sport to the fans. What an amazing place to end the season!" Ole Christian Veiby said.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Johan Kristoffersson is in pole position to lift yet another title. The Swede has won four rounds to date this season and holds a healthy 36-point lead in the championship with only 46 points up for grabs with a double-header remaining. 

To deny the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver a sixth crown something significant would have to happen, but nothing can ever be ruled out in rallycross. 

The Swede's four closest rivals: Kevin Hansen, Timo Scheider, Niclas Grönholm, and Timmy Hansen – have all previously stepped onto the podium in World RX, with ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport's Scheider bringing the championship leader’s winning run to an end with a strong performance in Cape Town last time out.

"It’s pretty cool to be third in the championship now. I think there’s more to come from my side, too, because I’m still learning and adapting to the driving style required in this car. With such small gaps in terms of lap time, the tiniest mistake really puts you on the back foot and I think we all had a few ‘moments’ on-track in South Africa," Scheider said.

"If we can stay inside the top three overall after Hong Kong, that would be an outstanding achievement for myself and the team. We’ll need another clean and strong weekend, but I think we have a reasonable chance..."

To add insult to injury, Kevin Hansen ended Kristoffersson's SuperPole streak in South Africa, whilst older brother Timmy sets sights on victory.

"We’ve got really high hopes going to Hong Kong and we will try to be on it from the beginning. We’ll definitely be pushing for the win," he said.

Having made consistent improvements over the course of the season, Klara Andersson will undoubtedly look to better, if not take a higher step on the podium after making history last year - becoming the first woman to reach the rostrum in international rallycross. 

This coming weekend, she will be joined on the grid by compatriot and rival Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky who finished third overall in the FIA RX2e championship. 

"It’s a dream come true to step in and be part of the best team in World RX – that’s pretty awesome! It was fun working with Johan and Ole Christian when they drove in RX2e in Belgium. I’m looking forward to continuing that collaboration and to working with the incredibly talented engineers and mechanics in the team," Åhlin-Kottulinsky said.

"It's hard to say what your goals are when you go into something for the first time like this. We’ll have a little more power in the cars than I’ve been used to in RX2e, and the circuit will be new for everyone. It’s a city centre event, which is super-cool, and I've enjoyed this type of track before. I'll certainly be giving it my best."

Rising star and two-time 5 Nations British Rallycross Champion Patrick O’Donovan will also make his series debut with Hansen World RX Team. The highly-rated British teenager has plenty of experience in the ZEROID X1 car that all drivers will race this weekend.

"It will be a childhood dream come true for me to make my World RX debut, and even better to be doing so in a car that I know," O'Donovan said.

"I’m extremely excited to see how my pace fares against some of the best rallycross drivers in the world, and to be working so closely with the Hansen Motorsport team. It’s also super-cool to be part of the first-ever World Rallycross inner-city event, especially in a venue like Hong Kong. I can’t wait!"

THE TRACK: HONG KONG'S CENTRAL HABOURFRONT EVENT SPACE.

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Track Length: N/A [OLD LAYOUT WAS - 1,225 metres]

Previous Winner: N/A

Asphalt/Dirt: 63%/37%

Joker Lap Loss: N/A

DESCRIPTION:

The cars will blast away from the start-line and hit the gravel on the dash to Turn One – a double 90-degree left-hander – which leads to a short, sharp sequence through Turns Two and Three. The unsealed surface then makes way for a long drag down to Turn Four, a tight right-hand hairpin – as the asphalt part of the lap begins.

After exiting the hairpin, drivers will deploy all of the power available to them as they race down the longest straight on the circuit. Next to tackle are a pair of consecutive right-handers in Turns Five and Six – the latter overlooked by the Hong Kong Observation Wheel – before sliding back onto the gravel and leaping over the jump on the approach to Turn Seven.

Alternatively, they may elect to dive into the joker, which is 23m shorter than the standard lap but tighter, twistier and slower. The joker and main lap then merge right before the finish line – setting the scene for some spectacular battles around the first city centre circuit in the championship’s history.

2023 FIA WORLD RX OF HONG KONG: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team)

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team)

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

Patrick O’Donovan (Hansen World RX Team)

Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)

Round 9 and 10 - World RX of Hong Kong (CAT Times)

SATURDAY:

SUPERPOLE: 04:05

HEAT 1: 09:10

HEAT 2: 09:30

HEAT 3: 10:00

SEMI-FINAL: 10:22

FINAL: 10:38

SUNDAY:

SUPERPOLE: 03:15

HEAT 1: 09:10

HEAT 2: 09:30

HEAT 3: 10:00

SEMI-FINAL: 10:22

FINAL: 10:38

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 8]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 107 POINTS

2) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 71

3) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 68

4) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 63

5) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 59

6) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 54

7) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 50

8) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 29

9) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 27

10) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 20

11) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 16 

12) Patrick O’Donovan (Hansen World RX Team) - Debut Hong Kong

13) Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - Debut Hong Kong

Winning 2019 title 'would've been impossible without Kevin' - Timmy Hansen.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool/Joerg Mitter

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States of America, once said: "Nothing worth doing was ever easy."

The future of World Rallycross seemed bleak after the simultaneous withdrawal of manufacturers: Audi, Peugeot, and Volkswagen at the end of the 2018 season. 

Many questions arose: Who will race in 2019? Will they race? And more... These questions were soon answered with an array of privateer teams signing up to the dual-surfaced championship, followed by a last-minute entry of the Hansens who beat the clock having secured two Peugeot 208 cars, and the necessary funding for the season.

Timmy Hansen 21 explained the challenges that his family-run team faced when speaking to Slipstream SA in 2019: “Many hours of work went in to secure an entry, but it’s more than just hours, it was everything. My whole passion. It’s quite hard to describe all the things that we have put together and our ambitions. You don’t achieve this by working for hours. It took a lot, it really took everything that we had, but we made it.”

Despite all these obstacles and challenges, the 2019 season was arguably the best season to date with a healthy entry list at every round. 

The season will also live long in the memories of Niclas Gronholm, Andreas Bakkerud, and Timmy Hansen, who had to overcome highs and lows to achieve a childhood dream. 

Moments before Andreas Bakkerud hit Hansen.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media

The 2019 campaign got off to a bang for Timmy who led the way through the qualifying heats in Abu Dhabi but was involved in an accident with Andreas Bakkerud who thought that the race ended a lap earlier.

His Peugeot 208 WRX suffered extensive chassis damage, but after 9 days of hard work, the car was rebuilt, and back on the grid in Barcelona where he and his younger brother Kevin claimed a 1-2 finish becoming the second-ever siblings to finish first, and second in an FIA World Championship event.

The 31-year-old Swede claimed three more wins that season, in Great Britain, France, and Latvia on his way to a dramatic season finale in Cape Town. With a championship on the line, preparation is always key, “I think the key is to not treat [the championship decider] any differently. To treat it as [a normal weekend], because like, you're just gonna get in the car again and drive again. So, the secret is in keeping it simple,” Timmy Hansen told Slipstream SA.

“And I tried hard to do that, but also the nerves are there, you know what's on the line. It is that was kind of the balance to stay focused, and not to make any mistakes. But I think both me and Andreas [Bakkerud] did well. And, he delivered very, very well. And, and so did I.”

The weekend had been building up towards a winners-takes-all battle between Timmy Hansen and championship rival, Andreas Bakkerud, whilst Kevin had an outside opportunity, had the two ahead encountered bad luck. 

With a solitary point separating the two with one race remaining, the Hansen Motorsport driver knew that taking maximum points at the final race of the weekend would be enough to hand him his first FIA World RX title, and admits that his younger brother Kevin played an instrumental role in clinching the title.

“I wouldn't have been able to win that year without Kevin and I, working together,” he said. ‘’Before the semi-final, he was also in the title fight. He [Kevin] was only eight points behind coming into this final race. And, he had also done a fantastic season, but after the heats, it kind of looked like, it was going to be me and Andreas. And then he said: ‘Okay, I've got your back now.’ So, I chose to run the semifinal with used tires, because Kevin was in second place and he would cover up the inside and stay behind, you know, have my back. So I was able to run that semifinal with used tires to have four new tires on the car for the final. It would've been impossible without Kevin."

After a strong performance in the semi-final stages, the Hansen brothers secured the World RX Team Championship for Team Hansen MJP. 

The launch of a lifetime for Andreas Bakkerud at the 2019 World RX of SA.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien/Slipstream SA.

Having both won their respective semi-finals, it was a pretty simple, but a tense situation - Bakkerud had to win the final to become world champion, and if Hansen won, he’d also take the title. 

It all came down to this… the final! Andreas Bakkerud took the holeshot off the line, ahead of Timmy who applied tons of pressure from behind, pushing hard to overtake. The Norwegian ran a touch wide opening a gap, as Timmy launched an overtake, with slight contact between the two, Bakkerud clipped the outside wall, and hit Hansen who spun off the track and onto a grass bank. His younger brother Kevin also took avoiding action, whilst Niclas Grönholm took the lead to deny Andreas the race win, but as the race progressed Timo Scheider stopped on track, handing fourth place to Timmy, a position, which would mean the two rivals would finish the season tied on 211 points each.

Following the final, the FIA launched a rather lengthy investigation into the collision at turn seven, and later deemed that ‘no further action’ would be taken.

Ayrton Senna da Silva, once famously, said: “If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver.” 

Returning to Cape Town, after four years, Timmy Hansen explained how things really went down in the tense final: “I put a lot of pressure on him early in the lap. And, then he he overshot that fast right-hander before the hairpin. He went a bit too wide, caught in the dirt. He was wide, there's a gap, and you go into the gap. The reason we spun was because he touched the wall and went into me and spun me around. That was really unfortunate, but I think, you know, I had the move don. I was passed, but then, then we collided.”

Timmy fulfilled a life-long ambition and dream to be an FIA World Champion. 

“It’s a title that not many people have reached, and the ones that have reached it are the very greatest to have been in motorsport,” he told Slipstream SA prior to the 2019 final. 

Relive the 2019 World RX of SA with Andrew Coley. 

Scheider dedicates "emotional" victory to father, whilst Kristoffersson extends championship lead.

    PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Flawless Timo Scheider claimed an "emotional" maiden victory in South Africa today, bringing an end to Johan Kristoffersson's dominant run in the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship. 

After finishing third on Saturday – matching his previous best result from the 2023 season – Scheider got the better of all of his rivals today to reach the top step of the podium.

The All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport driver’s day did not get off to the best of starts with a rear motor failure, which was investigated by the FIA Stewards, however, QEV technologies accepted responsibility, and therefore, the German was given a joker. His luck did not get any better picking up a puncture in Heat 1. 

Trying to correct the wrongs, he battled his way to victory in heats two and three, moving him into the overall standings lead, which meant he would secure pole position for the first semi-final. 

The German continued his strong turn in form winning both the semi-final and final [starting from pole position] crossing the chequered flag just over three-tenths-of-a-second ahead of Kevin Hansen.

“It’s pretty difficult to describe this right now. I feel quite emotional. It wasn't always easy, but we've been always fighting and trying hard to put everything together because competition in World Rallycross is pretty high and I always try to squeeze the most out of what I have. It's super, super tricky, and challenging to beat them [the other elite drivers], but today we managed, so I am not only proud of the team but also proud of myself," he said. 

"After turn one [in the final], I was like, OK, let's do this tight and clean, as good as possible, just to make your way to turn two and three. So when that worked, I was more relaxed. And right after, I just tried to focus on my race. And then the final call with the joker came from my engineer, he just gave me the call at the right time, I guess. But he said, we are clear, it felt amazing, but when we entered the last time."

"I want to dedicate this victory to my dad, who passed away last year. And to all of the fans here in Cape Town – thank you for being amazing!” he added. 

Having had the first opportunity to seal the title, Johan Kristoffersson, admitted to "completely sleeping on the start line. So, I think it's better to go when it's green [he joked]" at the start of the final, enabling Kevin to dive up the inside and into second place. 

Try as he might, the Swede was never able to get back ahead.

"After all, it was a good weekend for me, even though you always want to do more," the five-time World Champion said. "Losing Q2 set the pace for the rest of the day. I got involved in a lot of traffic. It's hard when you feel that you have the pace but you can't use it."

With victory in Cape Town, the two-time DTM Champion has moved up the championship standings to third, with just three points between him and Kevin Hansen. 

Klara Andersson crossed the finish line fourth following a much-improved display compared to the previous day, just ahead of Timmy Hansen, but their positions were switched after the 23-year-Swede was handed a penalty for a breach of AppendixI, Chapter V2 [B] of the FIA's International Sporting code. 

"It was a tough weekend. Both me and Niclas have struggled to find the feeling in the car. It is a difficult track, and the fact that I am here for the first time also plays in," she said. "We have had the same problem all weekend, and experimented with the set-up, and it felt a bit better today."

Her team-mate, Niclas Grönholm – the winner in South Africa four years ago – had a rocky start to the day having had a puncture, and contact during the other heats. 

"It was a tricky weekend. I could not put on whole race together. At times, there were some positive lap times and such, but something was missing all the time," he said.

If Niclas had issues, then OC Veiby had tissues... the Norweigan had endless car trouble, with it either shutting down on track or a crash into the barriers at turn eight, which meant he'd finish in seventh overall just ahead of All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport team owner Rene Munnich.

"I don't know what to say. It's hard to believe all the problems I had this weekend, and we couldn't solve it, because there were no spare parts," Ole Christian stated. 

The 2023 World RX Championship will now move from Cape Town to downtown Hong Kong for the series' title-deciding double-header [final rounds]. 

"It's always fun to head to a new venue in Hong Kong, so that will be fun and then also a new track is always a challenge to go there, and hopefully, a very limited amount of testing as well. It always makes it even more exciting to learn a new track," Kristoffersson said.

FINAL RESULT: WORLD RX

1. Timo Scheider [ALL-INKL Münnich Motorsport]

2. Kevin Hansen [Hansen World RX Team] + 1.021s

3. Johan Kristoffersson [Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS] + 1.344s

4. Timmy Hansen [Hansen World RX Team] + 6.656s

*5. Klara Andersson [CE Dealer Team] + 6.175s 

6. Niclas Gronholm [CE Dealer Team] + 8.532s

*1 position penalty

Kristoffersson rules the roost to further extends championship lead.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Johan Kristoffersson has extended his 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship lead with another convincing win in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday afternoon.  

It wasn't all plain sailing for Kristoffersson, who had to work hard to fight back after having his unbeaten SuperPole record broken by a hungry Kevin Hansen by the slimmest of margins - 0.081s, whilst three different drivers won the heat races - Johan, Timo Scheider and Timmy Hansen. 

However, it was the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver who was more consistent than the rest of the field ending the heats at the summit of the standings ahead of Timmy Hansen and Scheider.

Kristoffersson and team-mate OC Veiby claimed victory in their respective semi-final. The latter had the path opened for him after Timmy Hansen hit a rutt at turn 3, which sent him straight into the barrier on the jump. The older of the Hansen brothers' kept pushing kept it pinned to bring his damaged ZERIOD X1 home in second to seal a place in the final behind the aforementioned Veiby.

Having locked out the front row, it seemed relatively simple for Johan Kristoffersson, who placed his car at a defensive angle from pole position, but with a good start, he luckily survived a turn-one squeeze in the final to make his escape, whilst the Hansen brothers' looked to make the most of their day. 

As Kristoffersson scampered off into the distance, OC Veiby came under immense pressure, to the extent that he defended quite aggressively, leading to Timo Scheider slipping up the inside of both to slot into second on the road, whilst Veiby stopped on track and was later reprimanded for the incident with Timmy. 

Kevin Hansen who jokered on lap 2, kept pushing whilst the drama happened ahead, to claim second over, whilst Johan emerged victorious by 3.915s to claim his 39th career victory. 

“It’s really good to be back and it’s always nice to win,” Kristoffersson said. “It was a tricky day, but I was lucky enough not to be in the traffic too much; I imagine it was easier for me than for the others, because it was difficult to follow with such limited visibility. These cars are a little bit different to the ones we are used to driving and the field is really tight. The first couple of corners in the final were pretty exciting and I actually thought I was going to spin in Turn Two; the track also got quite rutted in places, so I just played it safe to avoid any punctures and bring it home. Now we’ll try to do the same again tomorrow.”

Speaking in the press conference after the final, the top three drivers pointed out that the circuit was quite challenging with the amount of dust, which caused visibility issues, which they have demanded should be fixed with the use of more dust-ex. 

The action continues tomorrow at the Killarney International Racing tomorrow, with Johan potentially on the cards to lift a sixth championship title should be win the final. But, can anyon stop the Super Swede?

"Every piece of the puzzle was there" to lift the 2019 title had Grönholm not suffered from appendicitis.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Niclas Grönholm has firmly established himself as one of the championship stars, with his cool, but calm demeanor. 

In the 2019 season, he was regarded as the quickest driver, and could have challenged for the 2019 title, however, due to appendicitis, he was forced to sit out of two rounds. But, he was quick to rebound with a victory in Norway, and at the season finale in Cape Town, which was overshadowed by the tense title tussle between Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud. 

Speaking to Rhea Morar at the Killarney International Raceway, the Finn said: "Obviously, it felt good [to win the 2019 World RX of South Africa]. That was the target to win some races after I missed a few races. We couldn't win the championship that was pretty clear, but overall, it still feels quite bad."

"I felt that year I was the most prepared that I've ever been. I had a really good feeling with the car and the driving, and I was physically in really good shape when the season started until I got sick."

Grönholm admits that all the stars aligned in 2019, but unfortunately, a case of appendicitis proved costly for his ambitions to be a world champion that season. 

"So, since then it's not quite the same. I think that year was really a good feeling in the team, and I think every piece of the puzzle was there, but then I didn't go to the doctor in time, but for sure, that was a good year," he said.

Audio Source/Interview Quote: Rhea Morar and Russell Atkins. 

Written By: Junaid Samodien 

Kristoffersson looking forward to Cape Town return with "100 percent win" record.

PHOTO CREDIT: Qnigan/Kristoffersson Motorsport

The FIA World Rallycross Championship 'finally' returns with a double-header in Cape Town, South Africa following a fire at Lydden Hill that destroyed two Special One Racing cars, equipment, and a truck.

After three months on hold, the World Rallycross Championship returns after the FIA World Motor Sport Council elected to continue the championship, but with equal cars, as the investigation into the route cause of a battery fire at Lydden Hill continues. 

Five-time World Champion Kristoffersson took a firm hold on the title fight during the third round of the championship early this season. With a maximum of 69 points up for grabs, and a lead of 27 points over runner-up Niclas Grönholm.

"Finally, it will be a race again! I'm really looking forward to driving in Cape Town," Johan Kristoffersson said. 

"100 percent wins down there. Also, I won the Gymkhana in Johannesburg, so I know worse places to go than South Africa. In general, I also enjoy it there. There are nice people, a nice atmosphere, and very good food."

Despite a big lead in the championship, he doesn't feel completely confident yet.

"It is late in the year, but there are actually more than 50 percent of the competitions still left. You have to be on your guard, but after all, I'd rather sit in my seat with a 27-point lead than have to take risks and chase," the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver said.

Team-mate Ole Christian Veiby, on the other hand, will make his competitive debut on South African soil this weekend and said: "It'll be fun. The course looks really fun. We were also fast with these cars in Belgium. It is very important that we have driven this type of car a little before."

The Swedish squad has set a goal for the four remaining rounds - two in Cape Town and two in Hong Kong in November.

"Johan will win the driver's championship, where we will also get Ole Christian up on the podium and then we will secure the team championship," Tommy Kristoffersson, Kristoffersson Motorsport team manager, said. 

PREVIEW: World RX returns to the Mother City with a thriller in prospect.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

After over two months, the FIA World Rallycross Championship finally gets back underway in Cape Town, South Africa at the Killarney International Raceway with the first double-header of the season. 

The last time World RX visited the Mother City [in 2019], fans were treated to arguably the most tense championship fight in history, as Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud went mona-e-mona for title glory, clashing on the first lap of the final and ending up tied on points – with Hansen prevailing on countback.

Hansen returns this weekend, as he bids to close the gap to championship leader Johan Kristoffersson. The 2019 Champion failed to finish two events this year, as a result of the FIA Safety Light system. 

The World Championship has been on hold since a devastating fire destroyed Special One Racing's cars, equipment, and truck at Lydden Hill just over two months ago, but with the season now resuming using equal machinery - the ZEROID X1 cars, the battle is back on with a vengeance.

It also means that for the first time in World RX history, there will be a completely level playing field, as all competitors take to the track in equal machinery – placing the emphasis firmly on skill behind the wheel and engineering expertise to extract the very last thousandth-of-a-second.

Six of the drivers in the field have already sampled the ZEROID X1 through guest outings in the FIA RX2e Championship during the summer. Kristoffersson won the RX2e event at Mettet in Belgium, and went unbeaten in Cape Town in 2017 and 2018 – on both occasions, having already clinched the coveted crown.

This time, the fight for honors is still very much alive, and while the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS star will arrive in the ‘Mother City’ holding a 27-point advantage at the summit of the standings, his rivals are firmly focused on chasing him down.

THE TRACK: KILLARNEY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Track Length: 0.663 miles (1.067KM)

2019 Winner: Niclas Gronholm

Asphalt/Dirt: 60%/40%

Joker Lap Loss: 2.6 seconds (approximately)

2023 FIA WORLD RX OF SWEDEN: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team)

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team)

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

Round 7 &8 - World RX of South Africa (CAT Times)

SATURDAY:

SUPERPOLE: 09:05

HEAT 1: 14:10

HEAT 2: 14:30

HEAT 3: 15:00

SEMI-FINAL: 15:19

FINAL: 15:35

SUNDAY:

SUPERPOLE: 09:05

HEAT 1: 14:10

HEAT 2: 14:30

HEAT 3: 15:00

SEMI-FINAL: 15:19

FINAL: 15:35

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 6]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 69 POINTS

2) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 42

3) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 38

4) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 35

5) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 33

6) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 31

7) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 30

8) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 29

9) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 27

10) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 20

11) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - Making debut in Cape Town

Achieving ‘perfection the quickest’ will make the ‘biggest difference’ with equal cars.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship returns after nearly 3 months following a destructive fire at Lydden Hill in July, which destroyed two Lancia Delta Evo-E’s, the Special One Racing’s equipment, and a truck. 

As the extensive investigation continued over weeks and months, the 2023 championship seemed in doubt, however, the FIA World Motor Sport Council [WMSC] took an unprecedented decision through an e-vote to continue the season with equal machinery citing ‘logistical complications and the continued investigation.’

The decision was taken that all drivers will compete in equal cars – the ZERIOD X1 [RX2e] vehicles. A car that was designed to ‘emphasize the drivers' abilities behind the wheel, prioritizing his or her skill and ingenuity.’

The ZEROID X1 vehicles generate 270kW (362bhp) of power and up to 510Nm torque, but with equal machinery, what will be the defining difference between winning and losing with four rounds remaining?

“It’s got a lot to do with the driving,” Kevin Hansen explained. “When the cars are so similar. It then goes down to the driving and the very fine engineering details. Everyone will have the same or similar adjustments, so it will all come down to the absolute smallest of ideas, compared to when we develop our own cars.”

“It will all come down to finding the perfect balance with this type of car. I think for sure, it’s going to be a big challenge, but we have some experience, and hopefully, we can put that together.”

The Hansen brothers’ together with Kristoffersson Motorsport competed in the ZERIOD X1 cars earlier this year in the penultimate round of the RX2e championship in Mettet [Belgium], with championship leader Kristoffersson claiming victory. 

The 25-year-old Hansen, admits that the ZERIOD X1 car “suits my driving” style. 

“The ZERIOD X1 cars, which I actually used to drive [earlier in my career]. It is very similar in the base, and I have had good results, and a lot of learning from that style of car,” Kevin said. 

“It’s a style of car that really, really suits my driving. and I really enjoy driving it a lot. I drove in the car in the last few months, we competed in Mettet [Belgium] earlier this year, where for the first time, we set the pace, as the Hansen team, and Kristoffersson team had to play a bit of catch-up.”

“[So, I think] we are in a good place, and we are hopeful, that we continue that strong performance. Obviously, Johan [Kristoffersson] is leading the championship, and he is a very strong driver, and my brother will be in the most similar material as well. So, it’s going to be very challenging. But, I think we have great support from our family team. And, I think we have the best chance coming down to Cape Town to win the race.” 

Kevin Hansen [left] and Timmy right] chatting in Belgium.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

With a healthy 23-point lead in the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship, Johan Kristoffersson is the favorite to lift a sixth title this year, however, Timmy Hansen admits that despite a sizeable gap in the championship, adapting to the RX2e cars will be crucial. 

“He [Johan] has had a fantastic season, and, he has a big lead in the championship. I’ve had two retirements earlier in the season. On two occasions, the FIA safety light came on after big G-force [impact], and I had to retire from the race[s], so me being in fifth, and Kevin is third. Of course, we want to get there, but it’s more about this stage of being in the middle and having to adapt to these new cars. You need to drive in a different way,” Timmy Hansen said. 

The 2019 World Champion admits that he struggled to adapt to the ZERIOD X1 cars when driving in Mettet earlier this year. 

“I was struggling a bit at the race in Belgium. I struggled with not having the power on the exit of the corners that I’m used to. These cars have about 200kW’s less. So, they are 300kW instead of 500 now,” he said.

“I need to adapt, but also I’ve been working super hard. I’ve been driving different cars, and I have been trying to get my head around this different driving style. That is really where my head is at, and I am going to arrive in Cape Town giving it my everything. I am going to do things differently from what I did in Belgium. I need to figure out exactly how to get the most out of this car, and then hopefully, we can fight for the win and whatever that means at the end of the story, whatever that means for the championship is a different story, but I want to be competitive, and that is the focus.”

“I think this is all very interesting – it’s a new equal playing field for us all, and it’s about who can get to that perfection the quickest, and it’s not going to be a big difference between the cars that we are in. It’s going to be more about the driver. So, I need to be sharp on the day, and just go fast.”

It's hard to tell who will reign supreme in Cape Town, so make sure you get your tickets today for the 2023 World Rallycross of South Africa. 

With equal cars ‘it’s all about the fastest and smartest driver’ - Veiby.

OC Veiby leading team-mate Johan Kristoffersson in Mettet. 
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool. 

Ole Christian Veiby is excited for his first trip to Cape Town for the World RX of South Africa (on 7-8 October) and predicts that with equal machinery ‘the fastest and smartest driver’ will prevail. 

The FIA World Rallycross Championship is returning to South Africa next month after a four-year hiatus - but is also returning to action following a mid-season pause as a result of an ongoing investigation due to a destructive fire that destroyed Special One Racing’s cars, equipment, and truck in Lydden Hill back in July. 

With a lengthy pause on the championship, OC Veiby returned to the cockpit alongside team-mate Johan Kristoffersson, and the Hansen brothers, Timmy and Kevin, who all participated in the FIA RX2e championship round at Mettet in Belgium – enabling them to gain some initial experience in the ZERIOD X1 that he and his rivals will be driving in Cape Town, South Africa. 

“We raced in Belgium, and we have some experience with the cars [ZERIOD X1], and it is a bit different from what we are used to. We need to adapt to that, but the cars are completely similar,” he said. 

The 27-year-old Norwegian admits that the RX1e cars they started the electric era with are relatively similar, because all teams use the Kriesel-developed battery packs and electric motors, with the only real difference coming from the suspension, dampers, etc., but in Cape Town and Hong Kong [season finale], all teams and drivers will race with equal cars, with the only difference coming from “small set-up” changes. 

“The cars that we are used to racing this year were also quite similar – we have the same battery pack, we have the same motor and everything. So, they were also quite equal. The only difference was the suspension, and what you could do in that area,” the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver said. 

“Now they are completely similar [with RX2e cars]. We raced with them in Belgium, and we have some experience with the cars. It is a bit different from what we are used to. So, we need to adapt to that, but the cars are completely similar.”

 “There are small things that we can do with the set-up, to make it faster. So, it’s all about the fastest and smartest driver.”

FIVE REASONS TO ATTEND THE 2023 WORLD RX OF SOUTH AFRICA

Johan Kristoffersson battling Timmy Hansen and OC Veiby.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Lights Out and Away We Go… After four long years, the FIA World Rallycross Championship returns to the shores of Cape Town, South Africa for a double-header at Killarney International Raceway on 7 & 8 October 2023.

The Killarney International Raceway has staged a round of the championship since 2017, the first FIA World Championship to be held in Sub-Saharan Africa in over 20 years. 

Having dominated the World RX of South Africa in 2017 and 18, five-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson returns leading a star-studded line-up featuring, history maker Klara Andersson, the Hansen brothers’, Niclas Gronholm, Timo Scheider, Ole Christian Veiby, and Rene Munnich. 

2019 World Champion Timmy Hansen, will also return to the circuit, where he clinched his maiden title in a rather dramatic season finale. Fast forward to 2023, another title could be clinched in Cape Town… but, why should you attend the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship? Here’s why:

The ZERIOD X1 [or RX2e] car blueprint.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA RX2e Championship

1. THE CARS

The FIA has made an unprecedented decision to continue the 2023 World RX championship with RX2e cars [better known as ZERIOD X1], as the investigation into the destructive fire that gutted Special ONE Racing [RX1e] in Lydden Hill continues.

The ZERIOD X1 is the formal name of the spec car used in RX2e. Developed by QEV Technologies, it weighs 1,170 kg and is capable of 335 horsepower with 510 Nm of torque.

Seven of the 8 confirmed drivers have driven the RX2e cars earlier this year, with Kristoffersson winning the penultimate round of the RX2e championship. 

The FIA homologated Cape Town RX track layout.
Source: FIA

2. THE TRACK

The very fast Killarney track is 1.060 km in length with some high cornering speeds, making it an awe-inspiring test of commitment with its high grip nature, including its average speed of approximately 95.87 km/h. 

3. A CHAMPION CROWNED?

With a healthy 23-point lead in the drivers' standings, should Kristoffersson win both rounds [double-header] scoring the maximum amount of points available. He could be crowned a six-time World Champion on South African soil. 

4. HISTORY SPEAKS

South Africa first hosted a round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2017, with Johan Kristoffersson winning the inaugural event, and returning a year later to win it again. 

The Mother City is happy stomping ground for the Super Swede, as well as, 2019 World Champion Timmy Hansen, who clinched the crown in a rather dramatic final. 

Level on points, it was ‘mano a mano’ in the 2019 final. Andreas Bakkerud had a lightning launch to lead the way, but in the tight sweeping turn 7, he ran a touch wide, which opened the door to Timmy Hansen, and he went for it. The two collided sending Bakkerud into the wall and Hansen spinning off the track, with Niclas Gronholm taking the lead. 

The Finn claimed victory, but who would clinch the title behind? Andreas Bakkerud finished second ahead of Timur Timerzyanov, with Timmy Hansen in fourth. But, by virtue of the countback rule, Hansen was declared the champion, after a lengthy investigation.

5. AFFORDABLE TICKET PRICES

Yes, that is correct. Tickets can be found here and a general access ticket for per day will cost R225 or you could purchase a Weekend Pass from R275. Compared to other live shows, this is a very good deal.

More so, grandstand tickets can now be purchased at a very reasonable price of R325 (Saturday) and R325 (Sunday).

A Trackside Bar ticket can also be purchased for R1,950 per day, with on-site parking also available.

Get your tickets now!

WRITTEN BY – Junaid Samodien

The FIA makes unprecedented call to continue World RX Championship with RX2e cars.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool. 

In an unprecedented move, the FIA World Motor Sport Council [WMSC] has voted to continue the 2023 World Rallycross Championship in single-make RX2e [ZERIOD X1] vehicles.

Two months after a fire gutted the Special ONE Racing team's cars, hospitality unit, and truck at Lydden Hill circuit, the dual-surface championship will resume in Cape Town for a thrilling double-header, a venue that saw the 2019 title come down to the wire. Thereafter, the championship heads to Hong Kong, for its first-ever Asian round. 

"It’s so important that we are able to complete the season, where we will see closer racing than ever with everyone running the same specification of cars," Kenneth Hansen, Hansen Motorsport Team Principal, said.

Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson, mixing it up with the full-time RX2e drivers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Having announced the resumption of the championship, the FIA highlighted the fact that the decision was not taken lightly, as the investigation continues, "and the logistics timeframe of shipping cars to Cape Town." 

"Rallycross Promoter is absolutely committed to travelling to Cape Town and Hong Kong for the final rounds of the season," Arne Dirks, Rallycross Promoter Managing Director, said. "What is absolutely paramount is that the world’s best drivers are there to compete, and we are absolutely certain that fans will be treated to a spectacular weekend of action in both locations."

“We thank the teams for their fantastic cooperation in making sure we will have a pulsating completion to the 2023 season.”

So, what are these ZERIOD X1 [RX2e cars] you ask? Well! The RX2e cars were designed to emphasize the abilities behind the wheel, prioritizing driver skill and ingenuity above all else. These cars have an output of 362 horsepower [270kW], these cars are underpowered compared to the RX1e cars - they produce 680 horsepower [500kW].

Whilst reading that might seem like a letdown. Just keep in mind that having drivers compete in "equal machinery" could really add additional spice to the championship, and could put a stop to Johan Kristoffersson and Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS' dominant run. Or will it?

The championship might have fallen silent, as investigations continued in the background, but the star drivers and teams kept racing with, Kristoffersson, Veiby, Gronholm, Andersson, Timmy, and Kevin Hansen all competing in RX2e championship rounds.

"It’s great that everyone will be using the RX2e cars for what will be two great events to finish 2023. We have great memories from Cape Town, where we won our first World RX Drivers’ title in 2019, and also Hong Kong on a brand-new city center circuit," Kenneth Hansen said.

A minimum of eight drivers have been confirmed for the World Rallycross of South Africa next month, so to avoid disappointment get your tickets today. 

2023 World Rallycross of South Africa tickets on sale today.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Tickets for the 2023 FIA World Rallycross of South Africa will go on sale to the general public from 12:00 CAT today, Tuesday August 29.

Get ready for electrifying short-sharp racing, door-to-door overtakes, and breathtaking jumps, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship returns to South Africa at the Killarney International Raceway on October 7th and 8th, after a four-year hiatus.

The dual-surface championship will see the likes of five-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson return to the familiar stomping ground in his Volkswagen Polo RX1e. 

The Super Swede claimed dominant wins in the Mother City behind the wheel of his PSRX Volkswagen Polo in 2017 and 18. And, he currently leads the championship by 23 points heading into Cape Town, whilst rival Timmy Hansen, will return to a venue where he clinched the 2019 title in a rather dramatic season-finale in 2019 beating fan-favorite Andreas Bakkerud, by virtue of race wins [countback]. 

The Cape Town double-header will also allow motorsport enthusiasts to see the fastest and most powerful all-electric cars, which push out the equivalent of 680bhp and 880Nm of instant torque.

“I am delighted to announce that we are bringing another World Championship Motorsports event to South Africa. This time none other than the fabulous all-electric World Rallycross, to be staged over two days, at Killarney race circuit," Chairman of World RX of South Africa Iain Banner said. "With drivers like World Champion Johan Kristoffersson and the Hansen brothers, we can look forward to an incredible weekend of World Championship racing. A stunning ‘next up’ after our Formula E Cape Town race in February this year”.

Ticket prices start at R275 and are available from 29th August on Webtickets. Discounted family/group packages are also available. www.webtickets.co.za

Mettet win the "perfect outcome" for Kristoffersson after rear wheel damage.

PHOTO CREDIT: Qnigan/Kristoffersson Motorsport.

With all the drama that plagued the FIA RX2e Championship final at Mettet, Belgium on Sunday, it was five-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson who claimed top honors, winning by 5 seconds despite rear-rear wheel damage, as team-mate Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky starred.

With the FIA World Rallycross Championship unable to race at Mettet as investigations continue into the cause of the destructive fire at Lydden Hill two weeks ago, Johan Kristoffersson and fellow World RX drivers Timmy Hansen, Kevin Hansen and Ole Christian Veiby took the opportunity to join the RX2e grid.

It was the younger of the Hansen brothers, Kevin, who initially set the pace on Saturday, but in characteristic fashion, it did not take Kristoffersson long to unlock the pace, with three consecutive heat wins he was propelled to the summit of the overall standings.

A slow start in semi-final one dropped the Swede to third, but he was handed a lifeline when the race was red-flagged following a huge roll for team-mate Veiby.

"I couldn't see a thing. When I turned on the wipers, it got worse," Veiby said. "But things happen when conditions are as tricky as we had here."

Kristoffersson leading the pack with a bent right rear. 
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The five-time world champion grabbed the opportunity, and from that point on was never beaten. He managed rear suspension damage from first-corner contact in the final to fend off his closest pursuers to the chequered flag.

"What a weekend!" Kristoffersson said. "In terms of pace, it was maybe our best so far this year. I’d tested the RX2e car before, but it’s very different in a competitive race situation and the final wasn’t easy at all."

"After the hit into Turn One, I could feel something was broken at the rear. The car was all over the place, and I was just trying to hold onto it and not spin in a straight line! I managed to figure out how I needed to drive and could keep up a reasonable pace, and I was obviously very happy to walk away with the win. That was the perfect outcome."

"I have learnt a lot so it was absolutely the right decision to come here. I always want to race and this time the big thing was to compete against the Hansen brothers in equal cars. It was tricky starting from the inside with the water running down there. I was lucky in the final that Timmy had some wheel spin," he concluded. 

Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky on the other hand has set up a grandstand season finale with a superb drive to second place – which sees her close to just two points shy of team-mate Nils Andersson in the chase for the RX2e title.

"[I'm] extremely happy with this race weekend, the pace, and the work with the team. The goal was to find a good rhythm and enjoy driving, which I definitely did this weekend," Åhlin-Kottulinsky said.  

And, whilst it's joy and elation for some, there is disappointment for others, Ole Henry Steinsholt finished ahead of Mikaela on-the-road, but was later handed a 12-second penalty for "repeated side to side contact". 

Timmy Hansen was running second until the front suspension collapsed sending him into the tyre barrier on the last lap, whilst younger brother Kevin's bid ended in the semi-final stages.

The FIA World Rallycross Championship is scheduled to return to action at Estering, Germany for the sixth round later this month [August 19-20] if and when the green light is given following the ongoing investigations.  

PREVIEW: 'The show must go on', as RX1e elite stars join RX2e field in Belgium.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Five-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson along with the Hansen brothers' headline the penultimate round of the RX2e field in Mettet, Belgium this weekend.

The Organizers of World RX of Benelux, confirmed earlier this weekend that the RX1e round has been canceled as investigations into the cause of a fire at Lydden Hill, United Kingdom on 21 July continue, whilst RX2e and Euro RX will go ahead as scheduled. 

This means there will be added competition in Mettet for RX2e championship frontrunners with Johan Kristofferson, Ole-Christian Veiby, and Kevin and Timmy Hansen all confirming their RX2e entries for Benelux on Sunday. 

"I'm really looking forward to this, but It's not going to be easy to adjust to RX2e," Kristoffersson said. "Mainly there is a lot less effect. I have tried this car twice, but of course, there is a lot to learn about it."

Five-time World RX champion Kristoffersson currently tops the overall standings while his Kristoffersson Motorsport team-mate Veiby lies in fourth overall, squeezed between the Hansen brothers with Kevin in third and Timmy in fifth.

Hansen World RX Team boss Kenneth Hansen stressed the importance to race in Mettet, saying: “We are a race team and we like to race and give the fans the best possible show they can get. That is why we want to be there and to compete in RX2e. That is a big challenge. They are fast guys and girls there. It will be interesting, hopefully, we can put on a good show together.”

His words were echoed by those of Volkswagen Dealerteam Bauhaus boss Tommy Kristoffersson: "The show must go on! We are responsible towards our sponsors, media, and not least our fans. We started to look for alternatives right away. This will bring a new dimension, a great challenge for the team. We are very positive about this and want to put on a great show in a competitive championship."

Waving the home flag among the expanded field is current joint RX2e leader Viktor Vranckx. He shares the top spot with Sweden’s Nils Andersson while another Swede, Isak Sjökvist, is one point behind.

A new addition to the field is none-other than 2016 Australian Rally and Extreme E champion Molly Taylor who has made the transition to rallycross, and she will line up for Hansen Motorsport’s #YellowSquad at this weekend's World RX Benelux, and the World RX of Germany, Estering later this month. 

"RX2e is the ideal place to begin learning Rallycross with electric cars, combined with the opportunity to be part of the #YellowSquad team and learn from some of the best in the business," Taylor said.

The CE Dealer Team will not travel to Mettet, instead, they will focus on an even bigger presence at Estering in Germany.

"We are of course sad to see the Mettet event being canceled [for RX1e], meaning that we cannot meet the wonderful Belgian fans and partners to the team. We do however understand and support the decision behind it, as it's important for the investigation of the incident at Lydden Hill to be thoroughly investigated so that the necessary actions can be taken for safe and exciting World RX racing," Jussi Pinomäki, Team Manager of CE Dealer Team, said.

THE TRACK: METTET [BELGIUM]

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

The short and twisty Circuit Jules Tacheny at Mettet is the modern expression of a racing history that stretches right back to the beginning days of the sport in Belgium. Like its contemporaries at Spa and Chimay, the Mettet circuit began with racing organized on public roads and soon became a popular venue for motorcycle racing. 

Right through to the 2000s racing continued on roads to the south of the town before safety concerns finally led to the construction of a permanent circuit.

Today, the permanent track hosts of range of different categories on both two and four-wheels, with facilities for Super Moto and Rallycross alongside circuit racing.

2023 FIA WORLD RX OF BENELUX: RX2e ENTRY LIST

Round 5 - World RX of Benelux (CAT Times)

SUNDAY:

STUDIO SHOW: 10:30

RX2e HEAT 3: 10:40

EURO RX1 HEAT 3: 11:04

RX2e HEAT 4: 13:25

EURO RX1 HEAT 4: 13:49

RX2e SEMI-FINAL: 14:50

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL [EURO RX SEMI-FINALS & RX2e FINAL]: (from) 16:00

GRID WRAP-UP SHOW: 17:00 [RX+ only]

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 5]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 69 POINTS

2) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 42

3) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 38

4) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 35

5) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 33

6) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 31

7) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 30

8) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 29

9) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 27

10) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 20