Mattias Ekström makes World RX comeback for Spa

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media 

Former World Rallycross Champion Mattias Ekström will return to World RX next month at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Swede called time on his World RX career at the end of the 2018 season following Audi Sport's withdrawal from the sport. 

His career in the World RX championship has seen him claim 10 event wins, 22 podium finishes and the 2016 World RX championship. 

Ekström's EKS team are running three rented 2018 Audi S1 Quattro Supercars in World RX this year for Monster Energy’s RX Cartel and EKS Sport's Krisztian Szabo.


The Former World RX Champion will be reunited with his 2016 title-winning car in his World RX comeback with the JC Raceteknik team. He will be racing alongside Belgium's Enzo Ide in the team's two-car line-up. 

“Being on the sofa at home watching Abu Dhabi I started to imagine racing again and going through Eau Rouge at 200km sideways," said Ekström. "It started to become very tempting. I asked Joel [Christoffersson, JC Raceteknik owner] if he was interested that I could use my old championship-winning car."

Ekström competing in the 2016 World RX championship.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media. 

"If that wouldn’t have been the case I think I wouldn’t have done it. It will be nice to just to go to do a race for fun and enjoy it, because when you do a sport at factory level you have a responsibility and you’re obliged to a lot," he explained. "When you go there for the enjoyment, still for the fans and to put on a good show, for sure I will want to win the race no discussion, but it’s way different to do a wildcard entry versus a full championship."

The Swede is ready and willing to share his experience with the JC Raceteknik team in their first World RX event.  

“On the one side it’s a big pleasure to race, but also to share a bit of experience with someone who’s starting a new chapter," says Ekström. "I would like to give my experience to Joel and his team that they can have a good start with the cars.”  

Ekström will return to the cockpit of his championship winning 2016 Audi S1 Quattro supercar on 11/12 May. 

“I really love that car and always did," he said. "I will enjoy driving it to the limit like I always did, if that’s fast enough then we will go and pick up the trophy, if not then we will just smile."

He has revealed that his 2016 Championship winning Audi S1 Quattro Supercar will feature some updates.

"Some updates firstly from our Japanese friends from KYB, we have new dampers. Also, the engine has got some updates so it will be more power, torque, and driveability. So, can't really what to go there and just have some fun."

TEXT - Junaid Samodien