PREVIEW: Kristoffersson leads charge as World RX races into Rīga.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Following the opening round of the 2022 campaign at Hell in Norway - three weeks ago, the FIA World Rallycross Championship is on the move once again, and this time the championship heads to one of the best venues on the calendar for a double dose of action this weekend at the Ferratum World RX of Rīga-Latvia.

The Biķernieki trase (circuit) located on the outskirts of Latvia's capital city, Rīga, was introduced to the calendar in 2016, with it's high-grip asphalt placing a firm focus on tyre strategy, and it's unforgiving barriers that line the track.

Latvia is happy hunting ground for defending champion Johan Kristoffersson - who kick started he's fourth title charge 12 months ago. 

This weekend, the Swede returns, and this time around he is not 20 points behind the Hansen brothers, instead he is leading the championship standings having claimed a record 28th career victory in Norway earlier this month. 

Round 1 winner Johan Kristoffersson
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Whilst a new era has begun, most of the drivers' either had minor technical gremlins or discovered issues with there cars, namely the Hansen World RX Team, who discovered that there center of gravity was poor due to the battery positioning, but despite those obstacles they were pressuring Kristoffersson as much as possible. 

Niclas Grönholm, who was the man to beat a year ago in Latvia returns with new team-mate Klara Andersson at the Construction Equipment Dealer Team. It was evident that the PWR RX1e machines lacked some pace to the Polo's and Peugeots. Marcus Gronholm also admitted that he's son was struggling to adapt he's driving style, whilst Andersson was exceptional on debut. 

After a few years out of the championship, Ole Christian Veiby made an impressive return with a top three finish in the second Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS Polo. The Norwegian will  be discovering a new track this weekend - the Bikernieki trase.

The third Volkswagen Polo RX1e driven by Gustav Bergstrom has some pace to find to challenge in the front runners, whilst Rene Munnich in the All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport Seat Ibiza finally got some mileage under he's belt in Norway after missing the pre-season test. 

The Bikerieki trase opens the opportunity for more action-packed racing this weekend, with it's tight turn-one, but trying to guess who will reign supreme in Latvia is anyone's guess. 

Having had one race weekend to gain some important information on set-up and performance - teams will take a step forward, and we can not wait to see who will triumph on Saturday and Sunday. 

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

Construction Equipment Dealer Team: Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson (first gender equal team.)

THE CIRCUIT - BIKERNIEKI TRASE, LATVIA.

THE TRACK: 

Located on the outskirts of the Latvian capital of Riga, the Biķernieki track is the country’s only permanent circuit, with a history dating back to the 1950s, when a temporary course was first constructed within the surrounding forest.

In 2016, Biķernieki joined the FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar, with a 1,295m layout. Incorporating sections of the race circuit, a long gravel zone through the wooded infield section and three jumps – two on the standard lap and one in the Joker – it immediately became a favorite amongst both drivers and fans.

TRACK LENGTH: 1.295m

NO. OF CORNERS: 12 

PREVIOUS WINNERS (2021) - Round 4 Niclas Grönholm

                                                   Round 5 Johan Kristoffersson

SURFACE: 60% Asphalt, 40% Gravel.

JOKER LAP LOSS: 3.3 seconds (approximately)

FORMAT CHANGE:

The Qualifying heats will be renamed Heat 1, Heat 2, Heat 3 instead of Q1, Q2, Q3. There will be three heats only as opposed to the four that have existed over the last eight years. Heat 1 starting positions will be decided following a “Superpole” timed session instead of a draw.

Heat 4 will be replaced by a “Progression Race” to add one more decisive stage in the progress of the event towards access to the Semi-Finals. Starting position distribution for this Progression Race will be determined according to ranking after the 3 Heats. The Final phase remains with Semi-Finals and a Final, but with five-car starts. The highest qualified driver will have a free of starting position. Other changes include five laps in all races (Qualifying, Progression Race, Semi-Finals, Final) and no use of the Joker Lap allowed in Lap 1 if the Joker Lap is in Corner No.1.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

Championship points will be awarded based on the final  classification on the Competition on the following basis: 

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

- The Teams’ Championship is open to World Championship teams fielding two cars, and includes all points scored by both of the team’s drivers at each event.

World RX Entry List - Ferratum World RX of Rīga-Latvia 2022

*GCK Motorsport’s Lancia Delta Evo-e will not be ready to race in Hell due to the extensive development work required to incorporate the new technology into the car, it will appear on-track in World RX later in the season.

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Drivers):

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 20 points

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 16 pts

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 13 pts

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) 12pts

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) 11 pts

Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 10 pts

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 9 pts

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 8 pts

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Teams):

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS 33 points

Hansen World RX Team 25 pts

Construction Equipment Dealer Team 23 pts

Rounds 2 and 3 - Ferratum World RX of Rīga-Latvia (CAT Times). 

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 09:00

SUPERPOLE: 10:25

HEAT 1: 12:10

HEAT 2: 13:40

PROGRESSION RACE: 15:10

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

SUNDAY:

WARM-UP: 09:05

SUPERPOLE: 09:35

HEAT 1: 11:10

HEAT 2: 13:25

PROGRESSION RACE: 14:55

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

All of the on-track entertainment and off-track features will be broadcast live on RX+. Event passes are available for €7,99, with the full season pass on sale for €49,99. More information can be found here.

Kristoffersson kick starts title defense with victory in Hell.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Johan Kristoffersson kick starts title defense with victory at the Ramudden World Rallycross of Norway.

The reigning champion posted the fastest time in the new 'Superpole' timed qualifying session by just 0.156s over Timmy Hansen, before winning the first and third heats as well as the progression race (new this season). 

Having finished at the top of the overall rankings, and winner of the progression race - Johan Kristoffersson would start the first semi-final from pole position, but a technical issue meant he was left on the line as the lights went green. He got going eventually, and began the fight back to finish behind team-mate Ole Christian Veiby, Gustav Bergstrom and Rene Munnich. 

The second semi-final seemed rather similar to that of the first, with the pole sitter (Timmy Hansen) struggling off the line, whilst Niclas Gronholm opted to start in the fifth place grid slot, and ended up having an incredible launch. The Finn carried the speed around the outside of the pack to take the lead at turn one. Whilst that was going on, Kevin Hansen was recovering after braking he's Peugeot's left rear suspension after contact with Klara Andersson on the run to the first corner. 

Timmy tried to battle Gronholm all the way to the checkered flag, but the CE Dealer Team driver hung on to win the second semi-final ahead of Hansen and team-mate Andersson.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

In the final, Ole Christian Veiby started from pole position followed by Niclas Gronholm in second, Johan Kristoffersson in third, then Timmy Hansen in fourth and Klara Andersson in the final grid spot (fifth).

Hansen and Andersson had the best starts from fourth and fifth on the grid. The 2019 World Champion then squeezed across the front of Johan into turn one, but as Veiby, Gronholm and Hansen fought for position, and ran a touch wide. The ever smart Kristoffersson backed off and cut on the inside of the three drivers fighting ahead, and emerged in first place at turn two, while Timmy emerged in second close up against the barriers with Vieby backing out and falling into third. 

From there, Kristoffersson put the hammer down and began to open up a gap to Hansen behind, whilst Niclas Gronholm opted for an alternative strategy, and took the joker almost immediately (on lap 2). 

As Hansen continued to push in second, Ole Christian was right on he's rear bumper closely followed by the very impressive Andersson.

On the fourth lap, Timmy Hansen tried fending off Veiby, but as the Norwegian launched an attack. The Swede took a dive into the joker to fend him off the attacking Polo RX1e driver. With a last lap joker for Andersson, and race leader Kristoffersson, the result was rather clear.

Kristoffersson claimed victory by 3.692s to Hansen with Veiby rounding out the podium in third, followed by Klara Andersson in fourth and her CE Dealer Team team-mate Gronholm in fifth. 

"It's been very up-and-down after that mistake/mishap in the semi-final, and then to come back and win, basically because of the carnage in turn one, and I managed to take advantage of that," Kristoffersson said. "I am mostly happy for the team, because to finish first and third with all the work that has ben put in.. it's just incredible. There is still plenty of work to do on a lot of things, it's been a good weekend, but we need to keep pushing."

Gustav Bergstrom, Kevin Hansen, who suffered suspension damage in the second semi-final and Rene Munnich, who suffered a mechanical issue all missed out on the final.

Ramudden World RX of Norway: FINAL.

1. Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)

2. Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) +3.692s 

3. Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) +4.057s

4. Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) +5.049s

5. Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) +5.332s

WORLD RX PREVIEW: The dawning of a new era in Hell.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool.

It's e-xciting, e-xhilirating, e-ntertaining, and guess what? It's back! Yes! The FIA World Rallycross Championship is back, and on the highway to Hell this weekend, for the start of the eagerly-anticipated electric era.

Following years of preparation and hard work behind-the-scenes, the eagerly-anticipated electric era is finally upon us! The state-of-the-art new RX1e machine pushes out 500kW (equivalent of 680bhp) and 880Nm of instant torque, while the battery has been specifically designed for optimum weight distribution.

So, with all that power. How will the new RX1e cars get charged? Well! The championship has secured green energy recharging systems, which will be managed by GCK Energy via a bespoke solution comprised of containers and mobile charging points. The containers will arrive at each event fully charged, having collected 900kWh back at base in France through a combination of solar panels and the local green energy network.

THE TYRES:

Rallycross is one of the greatest challenges in motorsport for a tyre manufacturer – developing a range of products that deliver exceptional performance on both sealed and loose surfaces while dealing with the incredibly high demands of the discipline’s fast and aggressive nature is exceptionally difficult.

With the switch to electric powertrains delivering close to 900Nm of instant torque, Cooper Tire has developed a new ACB11 rallycross tyre which takes performance to new levels while utilising sustainable materials and manufacturing techniques. 

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Kristoffersson Motorsport: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

Construction Equipment Dealer Team: Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson (first gender equal team.)

THE CIRCUIT - LÅNKEBANEN, HELL.

THE TRACK: 

Opened in 1988 as the first asphalt track in Norway, the Lånkebanen is one of the world’s most popular rallycross tracks. Since it's opening, the track was used mostly for the national rallycross competitions. In 2011, the Lånkebanen hosted a round of the European Rallycross Championship for the first time. A few years later, it became the venue of the 2014 World Rallycross Championship. 

The Lankebanen features different options, from the main asphalt course and combined 1100-meters long rallycross circuit (63% asphalt, 37% gravel) to hill climb track and motocross track, located on the hillside below the main circuit.

TRACK LENGTH: 1,019m

NO. OF CORNERS: 9

CIRCUIT DIRECTION: Clockwise 

PREVIOUS WINNER (2019): Niclas Grönholm

SURFACE: 63% ASPHALT 37% GRAVEL

FORMAT CHANGE:

The Qualifying heats will be renamed Heat 1, Heat 2, Heat 3 instead of Q1, Q2, Q3. There will be three heats only as opposed to the four that have existed over the last eight years. Heat 1 starting positions will be decided following a “Superpole” timed session instead of a draw.

Heat 4 will be replaced by a “Progression Race” to add one more decisive stage in the progress of the event towards access to the Semi-Finals. Starting position distribution for this Progression Race will be determined according to ranking after the 3 Heats. The Final phase remains with Semi-Finals and a Final, but with five-car starts. The highest qualified driver will have a free of starting position. Other changes include five laps in all races (Qualifying, Progression Race, Semi-Finals, Final) and no use of the Joker Lap allowed in Lap 1 if the Joker Lap is in Corner No.1.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

Championship points will be awarded based on the final  classification on the Competition on the following basis: 

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

- The Teams’ Championship is open to World Championship teams fielding two cars, and includes all points scored by both of the team’s drivers at each event.

World RX Entry List - Ramudden World RX of Norway 2022

*GCK Motorsport’s Lancia Delta Evo-e will not be ready to race in Hell due to the extensive development work required to incorporate the new technology into the car, it will appear on-track in World RX later in the season.

Round 1 - Ramudden World RX of Norway (CAT Times) - CET is one hour earlier. 

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 09:35

HEAT 1: 14:19

HEAT 2: 16:49

SUNDAY:

WARM-UP: 09:05

HEAT 3: 11:39

PROGRESSION RACE: 14:19

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

All of the on-track entertainment and off-track features will be broadcast live on RX+. Event passes are available for €7,99, with the full season pass on sale for €49,99. More information can be found here.

The reigning World Champion Johan Kristoffersson returns.... Can anyone unsettle he's pursuit of a fifth title? Let's go racing!