Monday 9 September 2024

A win a piece for Kristoffersson and Hansen in action-packed Montalegre.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Montalegre never fails to produce sensational racing, and boy did the ‘Battle of Technologies’ deliver at Rounds 7 and 8 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, truly showcasing the respective strengths of World RX’s electric and sustainably-fuelled internal combustion cars with rocket launches, sends, and awe-inspiring overtakes. 

Approaching the weekend, it was pretty evident that the sustainably-fuelled internal combustion cars would be throttled due to the high-altitude nature of the Portuguese track, but with the FIA's Equivalence of Technology (EoT), they decided that by adding 160 kilograms to the electric-powered cars, and lighten the ICE cars by 160 kilograms would be somewhat balance the field. 

Broken rear left on Kristoffersson's KMS 601 RX Supercar.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

ROUND 7 (DAY 1) - A Champions Drive! 

Johan Kristoffersson, a four-time winner in Montalegre entered the weekend with a fairly healthy 39-point lead in the drivers' championship.

Kicking off the action on Saturday morning, Kristoffersson led the charge in morning practice leading Anthony Pelfrene by 0.074 seconds closely followed by Timmy Hansen and Niclas Gronholm.... 

HEAT 1

In the afternoon, the first heat got underway, and right from the get-go, it was pretty evident that the electric-powered cars, had an edge, as both KMS-HORSE Powertrain drivers' had good launches, but nothing compared to the Hansen brothers' who fended off any attack from behind on the run to turn one, but in a never give up drive, six-time champion Kristoffersson passed the Hansen brothers' using an alternative joker lap strategy, with Kevin Hansen finishing second just ahead of his brother Timmy and OC Veiby in fourth. 

The second race was a similar affair, as Niclas Gronholm dominated right from lights out, despite his team-mate Klara Andersson getting the better launch. The two CE Dealerteam drivers covered off turn one, as Andersson and Munnich immediately took a joker lap. Andersson's pace was so good that she instantly closed on a slowing Anthony Pelfrene, but couldn't challenge her untouchable team-mate for the race win, as Pelfrene hung onto third just ahead of Rene Munnich bringing up the rear. 

HEAT 2

With data to digest and improvements to find, the drivers and teams had a short break before heading into Heat 2 with the orders reversed after Heat 1. Lining up from the pole, was Anthony Pelfrene this time around, with Rene Munnich, Klara Andersson, and Niclas Gronholm on the outside, but starting from the outside meant nothing for the Finn, as he launched off the line and comfortably made it to turn one where he would remain to the checkered flag ahead of Pelfrene, Munnich and team-mate Andersson.

Having demonstrated their strong starts in the earlier session, the Hansen World RX team drivers lined up from first and second on the grid, with the KMS drivers' on the outside. Could they control this with masterful teamwork, as seen in Mettet? They certainly had very good launches, but Kristoffersson hung it around the outside, as Timmy Hansen immediately jokered, but on the run through the "full send" turn seven to eight section, Kevin Hansen had a slight moment, and with it came a bold move from Kristoffersson, who tried an alternate line and squeezed his way through to take the lead where he would remain to a final lap carrying a front left puncture across the finish line, but comfortably ahead of rival Timmy Hansen, who jokered on lap 1 finishing ahead of his younger brother Kevin and OC Veiby in fourth. 

THE SEMI-FINALS

Much like the heats, the semi-finals were quite action-packed, as a wet track provided challenging conditions in semi-final 1, with Kevin Hansen leading pretty much from start to end, as Kristoffersson tried piling on the pressure, but ultimately picked up a rear right suspension issue on the final lap, and came very close to finishing third after an overtake from Anthony Pelfrene, however, a squeeze up the inside saw the six-time champion rotate Anthony and continue on finishing second ahead of Rene Munnich, and Pelfrene in fourth after recovering for the incident with Johan.

Untouchable in the heats, CE Dealerteam's Gronholm continued his strong form leading to turn one, with Klara Andersson trying to slot in behind, but OC Veiby and Timmy Hansen had other ideas and immediately opted for a first lap joker, and after a last lap joker, Veiby gained second finishing just 0.279 seconds behind Niclas, after the 2019 champion made a costly mistake in turn 8, and finished third with Andersson finished in fourth, and like Rene Munnich, her day came to a premature end. But, the door to the final was ajar, as the KMS-HORSE Powertrain mechanics raced against time to fix Kristoffersson's KMS 601 RX Supercar for the final. Could they make it? They certainly did! The mechanics replaced a broken wheel, caliper, damper, hub, shaft, and bottom control arm on the left-hand-side of the Polo in EIGHT MINUTES, and continued work in the pre-grid cleaning the windscreen and windows for better visibility,, and applied some tank tape on the damaged rear bumper.

FINAL

From pole position, a win was within sight for Niclas Gronholm, who yet again had a great start and led on the run to turn one, as Johan Kristoffersson lost out to the Hansen brothers, and decided to squeeze around the outside of Kevin Hansen to slot into third, but the younger of the Hansen brothers immediately took the joker. 

Following Gronholm was a quick and determined Kristoffersson with Timmy Hansen and OC Veiby following in third and fourth. The latter stalled his KMS Supercar at the start.

Heading through the final corner on lap one, Timmy Hansen was right on the rear of Kristoffersson, but as the dust kicked up in front, he hit the outside barrier very hard sending a few tyre bails onto the track and into the path of OC Veiby.

Timmy would go no further - DNF.

But, as the lap ticked over, Gronholm continued to lead quite convincingly, with Johan Kristoffersson chasing in second, but with a joker in hand for both Niclas and Johan, either of them could go one lap earlier to try and get clean air for an undercut, and on lap four, Kristoffersson dove into the joker merging just ahead of Kevin Hansen who ran wide in avoidance. If the Finn wanted to take the win, he'd have to beat the Volkswagen Polo driver with a last-lap joker, but that was not to be. He crossed the checkered flag 0.3 seconds behind the six-time champion with Kevin Hansen in third ahead of Veiby, and Munnich in fifth. 

"This is a real team victory after an amazing job to get my car back onto the grid for the final," Kristoffersson said. "Montalegre is such an enjoyable circuit to drive and the Volkswagen has always suited the track well, and we spent the past few weeks looking at everything we could do to be as fast as possible. Niclas [Grönholm] had great pace in the final, but I just managed to make the difference when it mattered."

Victory in Round Seven meant Kristoffersson carried a 48-point lead into Round Eight. 

ROUND SEVEN - WORLD RX OF PORTUGAL FINALS RESULT:

1. Johan Kristoffersson - KMS - Horse Powertrain (ICE)

2. Niclas Gronholm - CE Dealer Team (EV) + 0.398s

3. Kevin Hansen - Hansen World RX Team (EV) + 2.895s

4. Ole Christian Veiby - KMS - Horse Powertrain (ICE) + 5.654s

5. René Munnich - ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport (ICE) + 12.374s

DNF Timmy Hansen - Hansen World RX Team (EV) + 4 laps

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

ROUND 8 (DAY 2) - Kevin Strikes Back With Defensive Masterclass!

If Saturday was anything to go by, then the electric-powered cars would once again have an advantage over their sustainably-fuelled internal combustion-engine counterparts with starts, and the long run down the main straight to turn one. 

After overnight repair work and some minor set-up changes in an attempt to find more pace, drivers had two laps to dial themselves in during the customary morning warm-up session, in which, Kevin Hansen laid out his intentions by topping the session, but by a slim 0.044s to Johan Kristoffersson. 

HEAT ONE

With the grid set, Kristoffersson lined up from pole position with Kevin Hansen alongside, then Ole Christian Veiby, and Niclas Gronholm. The latter was once again lighting quick off the line, fighting with Kevin, and despite their start struggles, it was like the sea parted for Kristoffersson, as Niclas and Kevin tangled into turn one with both running wide. 

Ole Christian Veiby immediately took the joker lap trying to use clean air to his advantage, as his team-mate Johan posted a 41.3, 41.5, 41.3, and 41.5 laps, the fastest of the session. On lap four, Hansen took his joker and came out behind Veiby, but with just one lap remaining and the top 2 were yet to joker, who could gain a position? Well, on the joker merge, Veiby was able to jump Gronholm and finish 2.1 seconds behind his KMS team-mate and keep Gronholm and Hansen at bay. 

One down, and one to go, race two saw Timmy Hansen start from pole position with Klara Andersson on his outside followed by Rene Munnich and Anthony Pelfrene, as the lights went out, it was clear once again, the internal combustion engine cars struggled to keep up with the instant torque from their electric RX1e counterparts. 

Klara Andersson had a very good start and led the race initially, but once the joker strategies played out, the picture changed slightly. Rene Munnich opted for a first lap joker, and Timmy a second lap joker, using clean air to gain ground, if not overtake Klara who would have to respond. The CE Dealerteam driver responded just a lap later but had a poor turn one, and her entry into the joker was bad, which meant she lost around two seconds to Hansen and was ultimately overtaken, as he took the lead and won by 1.6 seconds. Behind them was a close fight for third and fourth, as Anthony Pelfrene followed Andersson into the joker, and merged right alongside Rene Munnich, the latter had to settle for fourth. 

HEAT TWO

For those at the top of the standing, the second heat was essential to seal the deal and lock out a front-row spot for the semi-finals, as Eminem says "One chance, one opportunity to cease everything you've ever wanted". Well, it's a similar situation for those behind, who want to gain important points, and the drivers fighting for overall victory to rubber-stamp a front-row start for the semi-finals, which could prove vital. 

A reverse starting order to heat one, saw Anthony Pelfrene start from pole position in the first heat two race, he had a good launch but didn't quite have the legs on Timmy Hansen who led into turn one, while Klara Andersson and Pelfrene fought for second place, the CE Dealerteam driver took a first lap joker aiming to use clean air to gain some ground, but it wasn't a clean joker lap at all, and a lap later, Anthony ducked into the joker, but also had scruffing run, nearly ending in the wall, which allowed Andersson to make up some ground and just about get ahead of the Peugeot 208 driver at the merge. Timmy Hansen controlled from the front where he would remain to the checkered flag with Rene Munnich in a surprising second followed by Pelfrene who muscled his way passed Andersson on the final lap. 

Having won his heat two race, Timmy moved up the rankings with 10 points, and if Johan Kristoffersson were to win race two, they would be tied on 10 points a piece, and lock out the front row of the grid for the semi-finals, but Kevin Hansen had other ideas. 

Yet again, the RX1e cars rocketed off the line, but having started from fourth, Kristoffersson tried an outside line, and squeezed into second, as Hansen immediately took the joker lap to use clean air to his advantage. As the laps ticked on, Johan tried multiple times to overtake leader Niclas, and when he finally made a move, it allowed him and Veiby to clear Gronholm. The latter immediately fell into the clutches of Kevin Hansen. 

And, with his front bumper partially hanging off, Kristoffersson was able to eke out a few tenths, but a last-lap joker for the KMS driver was not enough, as Kevin Hansen won by 0.9 seconds from Johan, Ole Christian, and Niclas in fourth. 

THE SEMI-FINALS

The Hansen World RX team had one clear target, and that was to take a win or the best result possible, and having taken the top qualifiers spot, Timmy Hansen started from pole position in the first semi-final with his younger brother alongside, then Anthony Pelfrene and Andersson on the outside, unfortunately, one would have to miss out, should they fail to finish in the top three.

Timmy and Kevin both had good starts and blocked all possibilities of squeezing through at turn one, as they led 1-2, while Anthony Pelfrene immediately took his joker lap. Kevin, Timmy, and Klara continued on the standard lap, but they immediately started gapping the CE Dealerteam driver, who started falling into the clutches of Pelfrene who was running in fourth. 

Kevin won semi-final one quite convincingly ahead of his older brother Timmy, as Pelfrene despite a rear right puncture passed Klara Andersson to secure a place in the final, but after further investigation by the FIA Stewards, it was deemed that he had left the track at turn 10, gained a position in the process, therefore, would be ducted a position, which meant his final result would be a fourth-place finish and no further progression.

Having accrued the second most points after the two heats, Johan Kristoffersson was on pole for the second semi-final with team-mate OC Veiby alongside then Rene Munnich and Niclas Gronholm. A case of three versus one, but yet again, EV ruled, and Gronholm powered to the lead at turn one ahead of Kristoffersson and Ole Christian. The latter took a first-lap joker. 

As the semi-final progressed clean air worked wonders for Veiby who posted fast laps as he inched close to the leading pack, and on lap 3, Gronholm and Munnich took their joker lap, unleashing Kristoffersson, whilst Ole Christian moved into second, and despite his best efforts of extending his margin to his team-mate, with a final lap joker, Ole Christian Veiby took the semi-final two victory ahead of Johan, Niclas and Rene Munnich. 

THE FINALE

In the all-important final, Kevin Hansen started from pole position with Ole Christian Veiby alongside him. Then Timmy and Kristoffersson were on row 2, and the CE Dealerteam locked out the third row. 

As the lights went green, Ole Christian Veiby had a very good launch, but the electric-powered cars were a lot stronger on the long straight, as they had been all weekend, and passed both KMS drivers'. 

Timmy Hansen led OC, Niclas, and Klara, exiting turn one, while Kevin and Kristoffersson opted for a first-lap joker. Seeing an opportunity Ole Christian squeezed his way into the lead, but on the run to turn one, Hansen immediately fought back to retake the lead, as Klara Andersson took her joker on lap 2. 

Kristoffersson was on the rear bumper trying every line to force a mistake from Kevin Hansen, but the young Swede did not crack under pressure covering off every move, whilst behind them Niclas Gronholm suffered a puncture, and later pulled over. 

The six-time champion continued to apply pressure to Kevin but into turn one, the Hansen World RX driver slowed momentarily as his older brother and OC took their joker laps, but it wasn't enough, as Kevin crossed the line ahead of Kristoffersson by 0.2 seconds, behind them Timmy and OC went side to side, with the latter ending in the barrier in the penultimate corner. The 2019 champion finished third with Klara Andersson in fourth, Veiby recovering to fifth, and a DNF for Niclas Gronholm. 

"Finally my first win with an electric Peugeot. I had a really good car all weekend, we didn't have to change much, and for sure we had some strengths down to Turn 1 so we just tried to maximize the opportunity," Kevin Hansen said.

"There was a lot of guessing and a lot of being completely blind in that Final, and we had to defend but couldn't defend too much if we were going to catch up to the leaders. A tricky Final but that just makes the win feel even better."

The incident between Timmy and Ole Christian was investigated after the race, but the FIA Stewards deemed that no further action would be taken. 

"He overtook me, I got past again on the last lap, but then he hit my front wheel which broke my drive shaft . I only had rear wheel drive at the end. It was a shame. I think I deserved more today and would have been able to fight for the victory if only I had been able to push straight away," Ole Christian Veiby said.

ROUND EIGHT - WORLD RX OF PORTUGAL FINALS RESULT

1. Kevin Hansen - Hansen World RX Team (EV) 

2. Johan Kristoffersson - KMS - Horse Powertrain (ICE) + 0.271s

3. Timmy Hansen - Hansen World RX Team (EV) + 2.045s

4. Klara Andersson - CE Dealer Team (EV) + 7.447s

5. Ole Christian Veiby - KMS - Horse Powertrain (ICE) + 26.272s

DNF Niclas Gronholm - CE Dealer Team (EV) + 1 lap

2024 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 8]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (KMS-HORSE Powertrain) - 206 POINTS

2) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 160

3) Ole Christian Veiby (KMS-HORSE Powertrain) - 149

4) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 147

5) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 139

6) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 122

7) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 76

8) Anthony Pelfrene (JDM Raptor Racing) - 71

9) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 33

10) Jankó Wieszt (Impossible RX Team) - 28

11) Sondre Evjen (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 15

Thursday 5 September 2024

PREVIEW: High-Altitude Montalegre could favour electric cars, as the 'Battle of Technologies' reaches penultimate double-header.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
The 'Battle of Technologies' has reached the fourth installment, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship heads south for 1,760-kilometers to Montalegre, where the pendulum could swing in favour of the electric-powered cars.

Mettet, Belgium, the scene of Rounds 5 and 6, of the FIA World Rallycross Championship saw some of the most thrilling action, as superb team-work by the Hansen brothers' saw Timmy Hansen end a nerely two-year winless streak by 2.2 seconds on Saturday afternoon [at round 5], but just a day later, six-time World Champion Kristoffersson returned to winning ways, crossing the checkered flag by 4.7 seconds to further extend his lead at the summit of the championship by 39-points.

Kristoffersson’s closest challenger in the championship after the Belgian double-header is team-mate Ole Christian Veiby, who claimed a second and third place finish, and has the Hansen brothers' hot on his heels just 5 points a drift.

The Hansen brothers' were consistently quick off the line in Mettet, and applied a lot pressure to the ICE-powered cars on the run to turn one, but without brilliant team-work seen on Saturday, a win probably would not have been possible for Timmy Hansen [also taking into account that Kristoffersson had a puncture], but now heading to the high-atltitude Montalegre track, the Hansen World RX team believes that they might have an edge with their electric powered cars.

Much like the Hansen's, the electric-powered CE Dealer Team's Niclas Grönholm has one clear goal this weekend, and that is to score big points in both rounds. 

The ice cool Finn along with Kristoffersson are the only current drivers to have won at the Portuguese track in both 2021 and 2022 – while it was at Montalegre that Klara Andersson made history two years ago as the first female ever to reach the podium in World Rallycross.

Brining up the rear of the field are ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport’s René Münnich and JDM Raptor Racing's Anthony Pelfrene in sustainably-fuelled combustion machinery, and will both be hoping for improved results. 

THE TRACK: CIRCUITO INTERNACIONAL DE MONTALEGRE

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Track Length: 1146 meters in length

Joker Lap: 1155 meters 

Tarmac/Dirt: 60%/40%

Previous Winner [2023]: Johan Kristoffersson

World RX Debut: 2014

Portugal’s picturesque and historic Montalegre track formed part of the original FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar back in 2014, and its undulating layout and unpredictable weather has produced many breathtaking battles over the years.

The 945m track is located 1,000m above sea level, requiring engines to be finely tuned to deal with the altitude. From a long start/finish straight, drivers brake hard for the first corner – a tight right-hand hairpin – before taking a little bit of kerb as they flick through the left-right chicane that follows.

A fast left-hander then leads downhill into a right as the surface turns from asphalt into the loose and sandy gravel that characterises Montalegre before a steep uphill climb precedes another left followed by a long, fast right-hander. The final section of the lap is marked by a tricky surface change and a series of chicanes – inviting drivers to brush the barriers on both sides, but without getting too close...

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
TALK THE TALK:

KMS-HORSE Powertrain

DRIVER: Johan Kristoffersson: 

"It's a very fun experience to drive a supercar on that track. Challenging weather and fast turnarounds. You can count on that. We know we will be behind at the start in Montalegre, but maybe there are some parts out on the track where we can be fast. In that sense, Lohéac was a good preparation. Both myself and Ole Christian also have two reprimands, so it's important not to get into all situations and risk punishment."

DRIVER: Ole Christian Veiby

"The most difficult challenge for us so far. If we can keep our distance from the others, we must be satisfied. It's going to be tough, but in any case it's a very fun track we're going to. I'm looking forward to driving there". 

HANSEN WORLD RX TEAM

DRIVER: Timmy Hansen

The results in Belgium were just what the team needed and we’re going to be riding that momentum into these next rounds in Portugal. The track at Montalegre is one that both Kevin and I enjoy, and our family have had some success here before, so we’ll be channelling that and everything we have learned so far this season into this weekend’s races.

"The testing that we did after Hungary really paid off and the car is feeling so much better. Thanks to that and some amazing teamwork we are still in the fight and the team are feeling great. We will keep giving it everything we’ve got and if we keep playing the game right maybe we can steal some more wins.”

DRIVER: Kevin Hansen

I think finally we can say we have reached a track where we might have a little bit of an advantage. That long straight should suit our electric cars, and it’s going to be great to look at that from the start line knowing that we have more power. Hopefully we can nail our starts and be first heading into the first corner.

"I’m really looking forward to being back in Portugal. We have a lot of Hansen fans there thanks to our dad's success in the past, so I can’t wait to be back sending it round the big curbs and gravel section and hopefully getting my first win of the season!”

CE DEALER TEAM 

DRIVER: Niclas Grönholm

“It's been a tough few races in a row, and our clear goal for Portugal is to bounce back and score strong points in both events. With only a few races left, it's crucial that we make these count to ensure we're in a good position heading into the final in China and we are ready for it!"

DRIVER: Klara Andersson

"I'm really excited to return to Portugal, where we have great memories from our first historic podium finish. I love the track, especially the final sector which is one of the best in the world. After a tough weekend in Belgium, our focus is on collecting points and getting back into the title fight - continuing to show the thrills of sustainable motorsport"

2024 FIA WORLD RX OF PORTUGAL: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (KMS-Horse Powertrain) - VW Polo KMS 601 RX

Ole Christian Veiby (KMS-Horse Powertrain) - VW Polo KMS 601 RX

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - Seat Ibiza

Anthony Pelfrene (JDM Raptor Racing) - Peugeot 208 WRX

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

SATURDAY:
HEAT 1: 13:32
HEAT 2: 15:15
SEMI-FINAL: 17:00
FINAL: 17:38

SUNDAY:
HEAT 1: 12:00
HEAT 2: 13:25
SEMI-FINAL: 16:00
FINAL: 16:40

2024 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 6]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (KMS-HORSE Powertrain) - 153 POINTS

2) Ole Christian Veiby (KMS-HORSE Powertrain) - 114

3) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 110

4) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 109

5) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 99

6) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 95

7) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 53

8) Anthony Pelfrene (JDM Raptor Racing) - 51

9) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 33

10) Jankó Wieszt (Impossible RX Team) - 28

11) Sondre Evjen (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 15