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Johan Kristoffersson leading second place Mattias Ekström. |
PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver, Johan Kristoffersson signed
off the 2017 FIA World Rallycross championship in spectacular fashion by
winning the inaugural 2017 Gumtree World RX of South Africa and entered the
record books to become the first ever World RX driver to win an FIA sanctioned
event in South Africa. It did not just end there for Kristoffersson; he set a
new World RX record by winning seven out of 12 World RX events this season.
“It’s fantastic to wrap up the teams’ and drivers’
championship and to also take a win at the final round of the season,” says
Johan Kristoffersson, 2017 FIA World Rallycross champion.
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RX2 driver Cyril Raymond leading his Qualifying round. |
The World RX event was not the only action on track.
Frenchman Cyril Raymond won the RX2 season finale rounding off a near-perfect
season by taking his sixth (of seven rounds) win of the season. British RX2
driver Dan Rooke rolled his car on lap two, causing the final race to be
red-flagged. Rooke climbed out of his car unaided. Despite the rollover Rooke
secured second in the RX2 Championship. Sondre Envjen and Tanner Whitten
finished second and third in the finale at the Killarney International Raceway
in Cape Town. Guillaume De Ridder claimed third in the 2017 RX2 championship.
The Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town was
filled to near capacity for the inaugural FIA World Rallycross Championship
event with more than 27 000 fans witnessing the season finales of both the World
RX and RX2 Championships.
“I think
we’ve won over a lot of new support during our first time in South Africa and
the crowd really helped make this weekend a memorable event,” says Paul
Bellamy, World Rx Managing Director for IMG.
The 2016 FIA World RX champion, Mattias Ekström praised
the enthusiasm of the South African fans. “The grandstands were full this
weekend and the atmosphere and support from everyone here was amazing,” says
Mattias Ekström.
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Ashley-Haigh Smith stranded while Mark Cronje continues his charge. |
South Africa had representatives in the inaugural FIA World
RX event - Ashley Haigh-Smith and Mark Cronje. Cronje has extensive karting and
rally experience but has limited experience in rallycross. Ashley Haigh-Smith
amassed plenty of experience in the Junior World Rally Championship, and he is
the only South African driver to have done so.
Mark Cronje and Ashley Haigh-Smith received incredible
support on their World RX debuts but neither driver made the semi-finals.
Ashley Haigh-Smith and Mark Cronje suffered with issues throughout the weekend.
Mark Cronje retired from the lead of his race in Q2 on Saturday, due to
propshaft failure while Ashley Haigh-Smith lead into Turn 2 on Sunday in Q4 but
immediately retired due to a broken steering arm.
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Kornel "CSUCSU" Lukacs on what would be his only run of the weekend. |
Kornel “CSUCSU” Lukacs only took part in the Friday
shakedown session in his lime green Kia Rio RX supercar and did not take part
in any other session. The team were trying to prepare his Kia Rio RX supercar
for qualifying on Saturday and Sunday, but it was not to be for the Hungarian
driver.
South African fan favourite Ken Block topped qualifying
on Saturday and said that his Hoonigan Racing Division, Ford Focus RX supercar suits
the Killarney International Raceway circuit layout. Block launched off the line
in the semi-final round and after some bumping and barging he led into Turn 2.
Block entered the jump with significant damage to the front end of his Ford
Focus RX. He won the semi-final round but was later DISQUALIFIED for being underweight;
this would see him being replaced in the final by Peugeot-Hansen driver Kevin Hansen.
Drivers made their way to the grid for the FINAL in the
Gumtree World RX of South Africa. Johan Kristoffersson started on pole
position. The three green lights went out; Johan Kristoffersson had a perfect
launch seeing him clear of the pursuing pack, with Mattias Ekström and Petter
Solberg fighting for second in the FIA World RX Championship. Kevin Hansen
retired at the start of the final with transmission issues.
As the laps ticked down Peugeot-Hansen’s driver Timmy
Hansen played the right strategy and took the joker lap. He came out second
ahead of Mattias Ekström and Petter Solberg.
Mattias Ekström held off a charging Petter Solberg to
finish 3rd, Solberg finished 4th and Timo Scheider 5th
in the final race of the season.
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The 2017 Gumtree Wolrd RX of South Africa - TOP 3 celebrating with champagne. |
The 2017 Gumtree World RX of South Africa race winner,
Johan Kristoffersson said: “I got a really good launch in the final and when I
got clear space I was able to manage the gap back from Timmy (Hansen) and
Mattias (Ekström), as well as manage the tyres well.”
TICKETS for the 2018 Gumtree World RX of South Africa are
NOW ON SALE. The final round of the 2018 FIA World Rallycross championship will
run from 24-25 November, 2018. To avoid any disappointment book your tickets
early.
Written By: Junaid Samodien
Photo's By: Junaid Samodien