A new era, historic circuits, one champion: Johan Kristoffersson’s road to the 2026 Euro RX1 title.

The 2026 FIA Euro RX1 Champion celebrating on his KMS Polo 601 RX.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA European Rallycross Championship.

After more than a decade of highs, lows and uncertainty, the FIA World Rallycross Championship entered a new chapter at the end of 2024, with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) taking charge of the dual-surface discipline following the departure of Rallycross Promoter. The transition marked a significant turning point for rallycross, placing the sport's future firmly in the hands of its governing body.

With the championship’s long-term direction under scrutiny, the FIA European Rallycross Championship emerged as a platform to rebuild the discipline around accessibility, sustainability, and affordability, without losing the character that has made rallycross so compelling.

As the 2026 season approached, the FIA confirmed that the top-tier category (RX1) will return to internal combustion engines, rather than a Battle of Technologies or a push to full electrification. Additionally, the FIA confirmed a six-round calendar featuring some of the most iconic, historic, and celebrated circuits, with the season set to kick off at Biķernieki in Latvia before moving to Nyirád, Höljes, Mondello Park, Lohéac and Lousada in Portugal.

An early sign of the championship’s renewed direction came when three-time European champion Andreas Bakkerud committed to the championship through his own Bergen Motorsport Evolution operation, run by SET Promotion, and driving an ex-Ken Block Ford Fiesta. His return added immediate credibility to the new-look Euro RX1 championship, bringing an established title contender into a series looking to rebuild its international standing.

As the days and weeks passed, the entry list grew steadily, and then came a big announcement. Eight-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson, together with teammate Ole Christian Veiby (Kristoffersson Motorsport), would enter the championship season-opener in Latvia.

All roads led to the Biķernieki trase in Latvia for round one of the European Rallycross Championship, with a very healthy 30-car line-up, producing the largest Euro RX1 field for an opening round in almost a decade. As the weekend got underway, Kristoffersson was right on the pace in his Polo KMS 601 RX, and so were Bakkerud, Ole Christian Veiby and Joni Turpeinen, who all emerged as serious contenders for victory. 

Kristoffersson led the intermediate standings after Saturday's qualifying heats; Bakkerud was just eight points behind, followed by Veiby a further three points adrift.

Kristoffersson leading into turn one in Latvia.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA Rallycross Championships.

The eight-time world champion then delivered a typically controlled performance in the final, leading home teammate OC Veiby to secure a KMS 1-2 finish. 17-year-old Turpeinen completed the rostrum, with Bakkerud finishing in fourth.

If the Latvian round suggested anything, it's that Johan Kristoffersson could dominate the season; however, Andreas Bakkerud had other plans as he and the team found more performance from their Ford Fiesta heading into Hungary.

The Red Cauldron (in Nyirád) produced changeable conditions, with intense heat followed by rain and rapidly changing grip levels. Bakkerud set the quickest times when it mattered, to claim the Top Qualifier spot after beating Kristoffersson in Q4 before progressing through the quarter-finals and semi-finals to take pole for the all-important final.

The 2019 World RX runner-up had the best launch off the line, and controlled the race from the front to claim his first win of the season. More importantly, he moved into the championship lead, turning what could have been a one-sided season into a genuine title fight.

The next stop, Höljes, for the Magic Weekend, produced another change in momentum, as Kristoffersson endured a difficult start to his home event, including a black flag for pushing and passing, whilst the championship leader Andreas Bakkerud was caught up in an incident that damaged his Ford Fiesta.

As the heavens opened in Q4, Kristoffersson clicked into high gear, fighting back, winning his quarter-final and reaching the final. Once there, the Swede delivered in front of his home crowd, leading another KMS one-two finish ahead of Veiby. While Casper Jansson completed the podium with his first FIA European Rallycross Championship rostrum.

The victory on home soil restored Kristoffersson to the top of the standings, but Bakkerud remained firmly in title contention.

Andreas Bakkerud leading OC Veiby, with Rytkonen, Turpeinen and Kristoffersson battling for position behind. 
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA Rallycross Championships.

With cars and equipment packed, a 2,604-kilometer journey awaited both teams and drivers, as the European Rallycross Championship set course for Mondello Park, a venue that last hosted the championship more than three decades ago. 

Featuring 75% tarmac and 25% gravel, the 1.395-kilometer circuit added another twist to the championship fight, as Kristoffersson again picked up another black flag on Saturday, opening the door for Bakkerud. 

The Norwegian took the opportunity and put in a strong performance in the qualifying heats to take the Top Qualifiers spot before controlling the Quarter-Final stages. Starting from pole, Bakkerud held off a challenge from OC Veiby to claim his second victory of the season. Veiby finished second, whilst Kristoffersson recovered to third.

After four rounds, Kristoffersson and Bakkerud had effectively shared control of the championship. Kristoffersson secured wins in Latvia and Sweden, while Bakkerud triumphed in Hungary and Ireland. Rallycross fans were truly in for a thrilling final few rounds. 

Just seven points separating championship leader Johan Kristoffersson and second-placed Andreas Bakkerud heading into the French round at Lohéac.

Fabien Pailler leading championship contender Andreas Bakkerud.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA Rallycross Championships.

With the French venue celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, expectations were high for a memorable weekend at Lohéac. Those expectations were met as local favourite Fabien Pailler delivered a standout performance, securing his maiden Euro RX1 victory in front of an adoring home crowd.

Pailler beat pole-sitter Kristoffersson off the line in the semi-final to seal pole position for the final. He then made another perfect launch in the final, and controlled the race from lights out to the checkered flag. Behind the Frenchman, Bakkerud brought his Fiesta across the line in second - a result that moved him into the championship lead by a single point heading into the final double-header of the season in Lousada. Behind them, Juha Rytkönen finished in third, and Kristoffersson in fourth.

The Frenchman’s victory in Loheac ensured that the championship was more than just a battle between its two biggest names, because Rytkönen, Veiby, Turpeinen and O'Donovan had all shown the pace to challenge at the front. Joni Turpeinen in particular emerged as one of the season's revelations.

As Swedish rock band Europe, sang ‘It’s the final countdown’, tension rose as Lousada hosted the season finale, with a thrilling double-header on the cards. 

For the championship contenders, there were two opportunities to score big. The first round on Saturday featured the first European Rallycross night race, with the semi-finals and final taking place under floodlights.

Bakkerud arrived in Portugal with a one-point advantage over Kristoffersson – game on! 

Kristoffersson struggled off the line in Q1, and lost ground to Bakkerud in Q2. The eight-time Champion responded in Q3 with the fastest time, taking the Top Qualifier spot, whilst Bakkerud was involved in an incident with stablemate Rytkönen and Veiby that resulted in a puncture.

The Norwegian's problems continued in the Quarter-Final when he went wide through turn 2 alongside Casper Jansson and struck the outside wall, picking up another puncture and failing to progress into the semi-finals.

Kristoffersson took full advantage, winning the opening round in Lousada by more than 12.5 seconds to Patrick O'Donovan with Rytkönen in third. 

Once again, the championship standings switched from a one-point deficit to a 36-point advantage with 40 points in play for the final round. The odds were in Kristoffersson’s favour, but Andreas Bakkerud knew it wasn’t over until it was over. He would have to pull off a remarkable comeback to overturn the 36-point deficit. 

The sun rose over Lousada, as Kristoffersson laid down the gauntlet topping the practice sessions on Sunday morning. All the Swede needed to do was reach the semi-finals to clinch the European Rallycross title. 

From the first qualifying heat, Kristoffersson looked determined to secure the title. The Swede topped the overall qualifying standings before winning his quarter-final, and with that result he finally clinched the FIA European Rallycross Championship after years of dominance in World RX.

Even with the title decided, the final in Lousada delivered one last dose of drama. A red flag was flown after an accident involving Kristoffersson’s teammate Ole Christian Veiby and Nils Volland on lap one, whilst Rytkönen arrived at the grid with smoke billowing from his Hyundai i20. The smoke later developed into a fire under the bonnet, and with swift action, the marshals extinguished the flames. The Finn climbed out of his Hyundai i20 to check the cause of the fire, and later climbed back on board, ready to take the restart order.

Starters orders were given, and attention turned to the lights ahead. Fabien Pailler had a great launch and took the lead, while contact between Kristoffersson and O’Donovan sent the Peugeot driver into the guardrail at turn one, ripping off the front-right wheel. Elsewhere Rytkönen, was trundled around with hardly any power and was later forced to retire with engine problems. 

But wait, there’s more: as Kristoffersson hunted down Pailler, the Frenchman hit a rut, sending his car wide and ultimately opening the door for Kristoffersson to slide up the inside and take the lead. Pailler’s hopes of fighting back were dashed because he picked up a puncture.

Kristoffersson celebrating his maiden Euro RX Championship.
PHOTO CREDIT: Wiebke Langebeck.

The newly crowned champion exited the final corner performed a celebratory donut for the adoring fans before crossing the line 52 seconds ahead of Pailler, completing his European title campaign with another victory.

“I really enjoyed the Final. The crowd here has been amazing, so it was nice to have the opportunity to put on a bit of a show for them with the donut in the last corner. It’s been a huge challenge this season, and it was a big job by all the KMS guys to sort out our start problems, but unlocking the secret to making better launches meant we could at last show our true performance, and that’s what we’ve been able to do this weekend. To have been able to turn the tables like that is a good feeling, and I’m very happy. This means a lot to all of us,” Kristoffersson said.

The newly crowned European Rallycross Champion ended the season on 235 points, with Rytkönen second on 175 and Bakkerud third on 171. Veiby finished fourth on 144, followed by Turpeinen on 111 and O'Donovan on 108.

Ultimately, the 2026 FIA European Rallycross Championship delivered exactly what a rebuilding championship needed: a genuine title fight, multiple winners, breakthrough performances, young drivers challenging established stars, and enough unpredictability to keep the championship alive until the final weekend.

At the centre of it all was Kristoffersson. His first European title may have seemed inevitable given his extraordinary record, but it was anything but straightforward. He had to recover from difficult qualifying sessions, overcome incidents and launch problems, and repeatedly respond whenever Bakkerud gained momentum.

Bakkerud, on the other hand, will remember 2026 as the season in which he came astonishingly close to beating the benchmark, Johan Kristoffersson, and delivering a fourth European crown.

Juha Rytkönen's season also established him as a genuine championship contender, whilst stablemate Turpeinen and the emerging drivers showed that the next generation is ready to challenge the established order.

And for the FIA, perhaps the biggest success was seeing the European Rallycross Championship finish its first season of the new era with a title fight that went all the way to Lousada.

SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THE 2026 FIA EURO RX FINALE IN LOUSADA

Andreas Bakkerud leading Johan Kristoffersson in Euro RX1.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA Rallycross Championships.

After years of mounting pressure, rising costs, and dwindling entry lists, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has taken the proverbial steering wheel, guiding the European Rallycross Championship to new heights. 

While the FIA World Rallycross Championship is on hold for the foreseeable future, the European Rallycross Championship has truly soared in 2026, with close racing, the return of legends like Sébastien Loeb for a one-off event and, most importantly, a championship fight that has gone right down to the wire.

Yes, that's right, a single point separates Andreas Bakkerud and Johan Kristoffersson at the summit of the RX1 standings after five rounds, with it set to be decided during a spectacular season-ending double-header at Portugal's Circuito Internacional de Lousada on 11-13 September.

Title deciders are also unique and interesting, but Portugal will turn it up to eleven with the first-ever FIA European Rallycross event to feature competitive action under floodlights. Yes, you read correctly: evening rallycross! 

With a 30-car RX1 field, two championship rounds (a double-header), and the biggest names in rallycross preparing for one final showdown, Lousada has all the ingredients for an unforgettable weekend.

So, why should you tune in for the battle in Portugal? We've prepared six reasons why you should not miss this season finale...

A CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT

If there is one reason to watch Lousada, it is the battle for the 2026 FIA European Rallycross Championship RX1 crown.

Andreas Bakkerud left Lohéac just one point clear of Johan Kristoffersson, who has accumulated 157 points across the opening five rounds. This means that after an entire season of racing across Europe, there's virtually nothing splitting two of the discipline's biggest names.

With a second-place finish for Bakkerud behind Fabien Pailler in France, and Kristoffersson in fourth, the championship picture was transformed from hunter to hunted. 

Heading into Portugal with two rounds still to go, neither driver can afford to simply settle for points. A poor start, one mistake, a puncture, an incident with a rival could dramatically change the championship picture.

"We will put on a show,” Tommy Kristoffersson, team principal of KMS, promises. “Many heats remain. We have been in precarious situations before, but have always come back and never left a final as a loser.”

The significance of the battle is also underlined by how the two drivers have performed throughout the season. Kristoffersson has taken victories in Latvia and Sweden, while Bakkerud has also stood on the top step twice, winning in Hungary and Ireland. Neither has been able to break away from the other, and their consistency ensured that the championship has remained incredibly close. Now, with only Lousada remaining, the title fight is perfectly poised.

TWO CHANCES TO FIGHT BACK

The Lousada finale is unlike a conventional championship decider. Rather than having one final opportunity to score points, the Portuguese event will host two complete rounds across the weekend, giving the championship contenders twice the opportunity to gain ground, but also twice the opportunity for things to go wrong.

The unique three-day format will begin on Friday evening, when competitive FIA European Rallycross action takes place under floodlights for the first time in the championship's history.

Saturday will see the remaining qualifying sessions take place before the first Semi-Finals and Finals are contested as daylight fades and the circuit comes alive under artificial lighting. The championship will then reach its final conclusion on Sunday.

Winning on Saturday could put one driver in control of the title fight, only for the situation to change completely again on Sunday. Conversely, a difficult opening round could force a championship contender into full attack mode for the final race of the season.

And in a championship separated by just one point, every qualifying position could prove important.

KRISTOFFERSSON VS. BAKKERUD

Few rivalries could provide a better headline for a championship finale. On one side - Johan Kristoffersson, arguably the benchmark of modern rallycross. The Swede is an eight-time FIA World Rallycross Champion and one of the most successful drivers the discipline has ever produced. Throughout his career, the Swede has demonstrated an ability to perform when championships are on the line.

On the other side of the paddock is Andreas Bakkerud, a driver who has spent years competing at the very highest level of rallycross and knows exactly what it takes to challenge for major titles. The Norwegian came agonisingly close to winning the 2019 World Rallycross Championship, finishing level on points with Timmy Hansen before ultimately being classified as vice-champion by virtue of the countback rule.

The pair have also demonstrated throughout the 2026 season why they remain two of rallycross's biggest names.

Kristoffersson opened the season with a victory in Latvia before adding another win at Höljes in Sweden. Bakkerud responded with victories in Hungary and Ireland, ensuring neither driver could establish a meaningful advantage in the standings.

Lohéac provided another example of just how quickly the momentum can shift. Bakkerud controlled his semi-final before finishing second in the final, while Kristoffersson had to recover from a poor start and fight his way through the field, eventually finishing fourth. That result changed the championship lead.

With Bakkerud now holding the advantage, he heads to Portugal knowing he has the opportunity to beat the benchmark in rallycross, Johan Kristoffersson. 

"It will be exciting in Lousada," Kristoffersson says.

MORE THAN ONE CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE TO WATCH

While most of the attention will naturally focus on Bakkerud and Kristoffersson, there is another fascinating battle developing behind the title fight. Ole Christian Veiby and Juha Rytkönen arrive in Lousada separated by just one point in the fight for third in the championship.

The Norwegian entered Lohéac third in the standings, but a difficult French round saw him lose significant ground. A poor start in his quarter-final left him fighting from the back, and a mistake on the gravel while attempting to recover ultimately ended his challenge.

Meanwhile, Rytkönen produced one of his strongest performances of the season. The Finn battled his way into the final and then held off Kristoffersson to claim third place behind Fabien Pailler and Bakkerud, allowing him to close dramatically on Veiby in the championship standings.

That means Lousada will not be about who wins the European title. There is also a fight for championship pride, a top-three finish.

Further down the standings, Joni Turpeinen and Casper Jansson are also looking to finish their seasons strongly, with a 30-car strong RX1 field, which means the established championship contenders will have plenty of competition throughout the weekend.

With so many drivers capable of influencing the outcome, Bakkerud and Kristoffersson cannot simply focus on each other.

LOUSADA – THE PERFECT VENUE FOR A FINALE

Circuito Internacional de Lousada, a historic track built in 1984, hosted the Euro RX Championship from 1992 until 2008, after which the Portuguese round moved to Montalegre. Since then, Lousada has been heavily renovated and currently hosts the national rallycross championship. 

The FIA specifically selected the Portuguese circuit for the season finale, describing the venue as one of rallycross's most atmospheric circuits and a fitting place to bring the season to a conclusion.

The Lousada finale will add another layer to the atmospheric element - because for the first time in FIA European Rallycross history, competitive action will take place under artificial lighting, with Friday evening's opening qualifying action marking a new chapter for the championship.

The first round of Semi-Finals and Finals will then take place on Saturday night, creating a completely different visual and sporting spectacle to anything seen previously in Euro RX.

HOW DO I WATCH THE ACTION?

Perhaps one of the best things about the 2026 FIA European Rallycross Championship is how easily available it is. It's live and free! And you don't need any expensive subscription.

Every session from every round is live-streamed and free on the official FIA Rallycross YouTube channel, with coverage also available through the championship's official Facebook page. 

So, whether you are a lifetime rallycross fan, or someone discovering the discipline for the very first time, there has never been an easier way to watch some of Europe's best drivers compete.

With Andreas Bakkerud holding a one-point advantage over Johan Kristoffersson, Ole Christian Veiby and Juha Rytkönen separated by just one point in the fight for third, a 30-car RX1 field and two complete rounds still to come, there is virtually no room for error. Add the first-ever night racing in FIA European Rallycross history, and all the ingredients is there for one of the most memorable championship finales in recent years.

You do not want to miss this one! 

THE 2026 FIA EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP - RX1 ENTRY LIST

Guess who’s back? Bakkerud is back on top with first victory in four years after Hungarian masterclass.

Podium celebrations in Hungary.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA Rallycross Championship

“Guess who’s back, Bakker again…” Under the searing heat of Hungary’s legendary ‘Red Cauldron’, through wheel-banging battles, strategic chaos, and sudden rain showers, Andreas Bakkerud delivered a dominant performance at the Kárai Trans Euro RX of Hungary. 

Arriving at the second round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, determined to rebound from a frustrating season-opener in Latvia, where a podium challenge slipped away, the Norwegian fought off Johan Kristoffersson and a stacked Euro RX1 field to claim his first victory since Hell in 2022. 

From the moment practice began on Saturday morning, the stage was set for another chapter in rallycross’ modern great rivalry. Bakkerud topped FP1, Kristoffersson responded in FP2, and the pair traded fastest times by milliseconds around one of the championship’s most punishing circuits, Nyirád.

The Norwegian struck first, dominating, whilst his rival, Kristoffersson, who was already battling sluggish starts in Latvia, continued to haunt him throughout the weekend.

But despite the nightmare start, the eight-time World Rallycross champion hit back in Q2. Their first direct duel of the weekend quickly escalated into one of the standout races of the season so far, Kristoffersson edging Bakkerud by just 0.334s in a fierce battle that neither driver was willing to yield.

As rain rolled over Nyirád ahead of Q3, the circuit transformed from hot and dusty into a greasy survival test. Kristoffersson again bogged down at the start, leaving Bakkerud to aggressively defend into Turn One. At the same time, KMS opted to roll the dice early with joker laps for both Ole Christian Veiby and Kristoffersson.

Bakkerud and his SET Promotion supported stablemates, Joni Turpeinen and Juha Rytkönen, who had perfect launches. Turpeinen jokered first from the lead, Rytkönen followed shortly afterwards, whilst Bakkerud delayed his joker until the final lap. The strategy paid off perfectly, allowing the Norwegian to emerge crucially ahead of Kristoffersson and secure the overnight top qualifier spot.

“It feels good. It’s always brilliant to race against Johan. He’s such a strong driver and hardly ever puts a foot wrong, so you can never hold anything back against him,” Bakkerud said. 

By Sunday morning, teams had a better understanding of how to extract more performance; however, Bakkerud’s momentum only intensified.

He narrowly beat Kristoffersson to the Top Qualifier spot in Q4 before controlling both his Quarter-Final and Semi-Final from lights-to-flag, earning pole position for the all-important Final.

The EuroRX of Hungary final.

Source: TheRedsRX

And inevitably, alongside him on the front row was Kristoffersson. When the lights went out, the pair launched evenly, but Bakkerud held the inside line into Turn One and refused to surrender it. As he edged Kristoffersson wide, the closely following SET Promotion pair of Turpeinen and Rytkönen sensed opportunity. What followed was the defining moment of the weekend.

As the field compressed into the tight left-hander, slight contact pitched Kristoffersson into the outside tyre wall, dropping the reigning world champion to the back of the field and effectively ending his challenge for a podium spot.

Up front, the Bergen Motorsport Evolution by SET Promotion driver escaped the chaos unscathed. Rytkönen applied pressure throughout the race, but the outcome rarely looked in doubt. Bakkerud controlled the pace, set the fastest lap, and crossed the finish line just over one-and-a-half seconds clear.

After climbing from his ex-Ken Block Ford Fiesta, Bakkerud fought back tears as he reflected on his return to the top step of the podium.

“This means the world,” he said. “We fight hard, and I'm not meaning to stand here crying, but it means a lot. It was good. It's not often you get the chance to go door-to-door next to an eight-time world champion, and Johan is such a beast. He's such a character, such a driver. So, I mean, we come here with a car painter, a ventilation guy, a sticker guy. We do a good job.”

“We were the top qualifier as well. First, the semi-finals, pole in the final. The last time I was pole, was Barcelona 2021 with GCK. So, it's been forever. It's been many years. Tough time in America, coming back here, racing, starting a new chapter, and all the field of sport is back supporting us,” an emotional Bakkerud said. 

Side-by-side heading into turn one. 
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA Rallycross Championship

Behind him, Rytkönen completed a memorable one-two for the SET Promotion-supported Fiesta package, while 17-year-old Turpeinen continued his remarkable start to the season with a second consecutive podium finish.

The Finnish teenager had been one of the revelations of Saturday, overcoming gearbox issues in Q1 before consistently challenging the established stars throughout qualifying. His third-place finish leaves him firmly in the championship conversation after two rounds.

“Three SET Promotion drivers on the podium – it’s crazy! I absolutely didn’t expect to have such a successful start to the season,” Turpeinen said. “It was quite chaotic in Turn One in the Final – everyone was flying everywhere like rockets, but I was able to stay clean on the inside line, and it was good to finish third again. My tyres were completely gone by the end of the weekend, but we’ll have good ones for Höljes!”

Ole Christian Veiby climbed to fourth despite spending much of the weekend recovering from a broken gear lever that cost him valuable time in Q1, with team-mate Kristoffersson recovered to fifth after his opening-corner drama.

“We're done here in Hungary. Started off with qualifying four, which put us second overall, and managed to win our quarter-final and semi-final. Started from the outside of the final. I had a good start, which was really promising, but then I was just too wide and going into turn one. And yeah, with all the loose gravel on the outside there, I lost it going into the wall and had a spin. So, lost a lot of time there, but managed to get one position back and ended up P4 overall. So, we scored enough points for second overall in the championship, one point behind Bakkerud. It was a fun weekend in Hungary. It's a proper rallycross track, so I really enjoyed the fight,” the eight-time champion said. 

A sixth-place finish may not seem impressive to some, but Casper Jansson truly demonstrated a very mature and strong performance throughout the weekend. The young Swede is a definite driver to watch in the coming events, having unlocked more pace from his Peugeot 208 with assistance from 14-time European Rallycross ace Kenneth Hansen. 

Elsewhere, Patrick O'Donovan demonstrated both his speed and aggression despite suffering accidents on consecutive days, Fabien Pailler rebounded strongly from a nightmare season-opener in Latvia, where he was plagued by engine issues, whilst home hero Andor Trepák showed flashes of genuine front-running pace before narrowly missing out on a place in the final.

O’Donovan, a former EuroRX Champion, did not mince his words when reflecting on the weekend and an incident with Ole Christian Veiby in the semi-finals, as he explains: “heartbreak for myself. I did the hard work. And I mean, we beat OC in the quarterfinal. And then into the semi, I beat him out of the joker. I couldn't have gone any wider because I was on the absolute limit of where the grip is before you hit the marbles. And, I mean, he was completely off his line. If you go back to any other lap, he just drove out there with the intent to hit me. And you can see his car go sideways. You're telling me the best car in rallycross, if he doesn't want it to, isn't going to be going forward at that point. He's driven there to take me out. And I mean, yeah, it's a really bitter pill to swallow. And, I just hope we can get out for Holjes at this point, because at the moment, looking at the car in there, it's really unlikely.” 

It’s unfortunate for Team RX Racing and O’Donovan, with the clock well and truly ticking to repair his Peugeot 208. However, ultimately, Nyirád belonged to one man, Andreas Bakkerud, who reminded everyone that he still knows exactly how to beat the best in the business.

Whilst victory catapulted Bakkerud into the championship lead by a single point over Kristoffersson heading into the iconic Höljes ‘Magic Weekend’ in July, it’s evident that both teams and drivers will take a deep dive into their data in an attempt to unlock more pace, which truly sets the stage for an epic battle in the Värmland forest!

Bakkerud admits “we have a gap to catch” after Euro RX season opener.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA European Rallycross Championship

‘Today is a good day, because today is a race day.’ The phrase became synonymous with rallycross stalwart Andreas Bakkerud over the years. Across the opening round of the 2026 FIA European Rallycross Championship in Riga, those words once again rang true.

The iconic Biķernieki trase roared back into life as the Euro RX curtain-raiser delivered one of the most competitive rallycross entry lists in years, with fierce battles throughout the field, and the benchmark pace set by Kristoffersson Motorsport.

For Bakkerud, the weekend in Latvia ultimately ended with mixed emotions. Whilst he had incredible launches, he showed flashes of strong pace throughout the event. He remained firmly in contention across the knockout stages, but narrowly missed out on a podium finish after a dramatic final.

“The first race of the year is done and in the history books already. Pretty pumped that we managed to be here in Riga, very proud of that, but when it comes to the result, you always wish for more,” Bakkerud said. “We ended P4, won the quarter-final, second against Johan in the semi-final, started on the outside in the final, had a very, very good launch around the outside. Unfortunately, I would have been in the fence on the outer wall. Into turn one, there was a bit of a collision, so I lost a few positions. Then I caught up with the pack ahead, but then my tyres were done, so I had nothing more to come with.”

Despite missing out on a podium finish, Bakkerud’s pace throughout the weekend offered encouraging signs heading into the season. His driving style, tactics, and ability to attack in wheel-to-wheel combat remained evident, particularly during the knockout phases, where he managed to take victory in the quarter-final before fighting hard against the rallycross ‘benchmark’ Johan Kristoffersson in the semi-final.

Andreas Bakkerud entering turn 1 with Rokas Baciuska behind..
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA European Rallycross Championship

However, the opening round also highlighted the scale of the challenge facing the rest of the field.

Kristoffersson Motorsport, a last-minute entry for the opening round, arrived with formidable pace; however, their only Achilles heel proved to be their launches. Whilst Bakkerud and SET Promotion have estimated that KMS holds an advantage of roughly seven to nine tenths over their rivals, a sizeable margin in rallycross terms.

Closing that gap will become the primary focus for many ahead of the next round in Hungary; however, it remains to be seen whether Kristoffersson Motorsport will feature on the entry list.

“Anyway, the car is getting prepped for Hungary, which is in two weeks. Tomorrow, I start testing. We have a gap to catch,” Bakkerud said.

While fourth place may not have been the result Bakkerud had hoped for, Riga still demonstrated that the Norwegian and SET Promotion remain firmly in the fight. In a championship expected to feature some of the strongest competition seen in recent seasons, consistency and development across the year could prove just as important as outright speed.

As attention now turns to Hungary in two weeks. Teams and their drivers will take a deep dive into the data obtained in Riga, and test various solutions in a hunt to unlock some more pace. Will their hard work pay off in the pursuit of unlocking a few tenths? Find out soon, as all roads lead to Nyirád.

Kristoffersson leads 1-2 finish at EuroRX curtain raiser in Latvia.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA European Rallycross Championship

Eight-time World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson opened his 2026 account with victory at the Biķernieki trase, as the FIA European Rallycross Championship roared back into life. His team-mate  Ole Christian Veiby helped secure Kristoffersson Motorsport, a 1-2 finish after a weekend defined by relentless qualifying battles, strategic joker laps, and no shortage of contact throughout the 30-car RX1 Supercar field.

While Kristoffersson ultimately delivered another trademark victory, the road to the top step was far from straightforward. Saturday’s qualifying sessions immediately established the tone for the season opener. Kristoffersson laid down an early marker in Q1, storming to the fastest time of the session, a 3:16.194, nearly two seconds clear of his team-mate Veiby, to secure maximum points.

But the reigning champion quickly found himself under pressure from a field determined not to hand KMS an easy return to Euro RX competition.

Q2 produced one of the standout moments of the weekend as 17-year-old Joni Turpeinen had an incredible launch, held his own against the KMS cars into Turn 1, taking control of the race ahead of Andreas Bakkerud. Kristoffersson dropped to the back of the pack before fighting his way back through traffic, eventually joining a dramatic three-wide joker merge with Turpeinen and Bakkerud, with the Volkswagen Polo driver ultimately finishing third.

The 30-car strong Euro RX1 field for Latvia.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA European Rallycross Championship

The third qualifying session also proved equally intense. Finn Juha Rytkönen elbowed his way to the front at the start and, alongside SET Promotion team-mate Turpeinen, repeatedly forced Kristoffersson onto the defensive with Andreas Bakkerud right behind. Heading into turn 4 on the opening lap, Veiby had an issue and blocked Kristoffersson, which opened the door for Bakkerud to slip up the inside and take third. The eight-time World Champion responded with an early joker strategy and recovered to finish second in the heat behind Rytkönen, ending Saturday on top of the overnight standings ahead of Bakkerud and Veiby.

For Bakkerud, the Latvian weekend marked an impressive return to full-time European Rallycross competition after nearly three years away. The Norwegian immediately reminded the paddock why he remains one of rallycross’ best and most entertaining drivers, producing superb launches throughout the weekend and repeatedly taking the fight to Kristoffersson.

The opening day alone featured intense wheel-to-wheel battles between Bakkerud and FIA World Rally-Raid Champion Rokas Baciuška, while Sunday’s knockout stages only increased the intensity.

Kristoffersson returned on Sunday, leading the standings, but Q4 again exposed KMS’ launch struggles. A poor getaway dropped the Swede down the order before an early joker lap allowed him to recover back to second place behind Rytkönen, securing the top qualifier spot. Behind him was Juha Rytkönen, who ended qualifying second overall, narrowly ahead of Bakkerud, with Veiby fourth and Turpeinen fifth heading into the quarter-finals.

The knockout stages delivered the kind of elbows-out rallycross that has long defined the dual-surfaced discipline.

In the quarter-finals, Kristoffersson again found himself under pressure from Turpeinen, who had yet another great launch and fended off the KMS driver into turn one, but as a result of the concertina effect, the Swede hit the rear left bumper, causing bodywork to rub against the tyre, but that did not slow the Finn at all. 

Behind them, local hero Jānis Baumanis suffered heartbreak after contact with Ollie O’Donovan in turn one, which saw the Latvian spin and ultimately park his Peugeot 208 WRX due to damage sustained in the contact. The FIA Stewards investigated the contact and later showed O’Donovan a black flag.

Opting for an alternative strategy, Kristoffersson jokered on lap four, and that was enough to leap ahead of Turpeinen to win the heat, but the young Finn’s pace continued to turn heads as the weekend progressed.

    Qualifying heats when KMS struggled with launches.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA European Rallycross Championship

With the grids set for the semi-finals, the action turned up a notch, with teams deciding tactics, tyre strategies, and making minor tweaks to their cars' set-up, in an aim to beat the benchmark, Johan Kristoffersson. 

When speaking to Hal Ridge ahead of the semi-finals, Andreas Bakkerud said: “Lining up next to Johan is a big honour. So, I’m going to hopefully give him a challenge, and I am excited to see how this race will pan out, because like, there are quite a few good cars that could beat him off the line. And then manage the pace from there on. There is also going to be some tyre tactics to keep them for 6 laps. So yeah, it’s going to be interesting.”

The Norwegian added that: “We know that KMS is seven, eight, or nine tenths quicker than us on track. So, we need to be a little bit smarter if we want to beat them.”

Bakkerud had yet another superb launch in the first semi-final to lead into turn one ahead of Kristoffersson, and briefly looked capable of denying the Swede another victory, but Kristoffersson’s joker timing once again proved decisive. The pair emerged side-by-side at the joker merge with Kristoffersson narrowly edging ahead to claim another win.

In the second semi-final, Ole Christian Veiby finally had a great launch and took command after first-corner contact dropped Andor Trepák out of the race with damage, whilst Rytkönen and Patrick O’Donovan also progressed to the final. 

That set up a humdinger of a final featuring both KMS cars on the front row ahead of Rytkönen, Bakkerud, Turpeinen, and O’Donovan.

The question on everyone's lips heading into the final was, could anyone beat Johan Kristoffersson? The tension built as the cars lined up in their grid slots. As the lights went out, both KMS drivers produced the launch they needed as Bakkerud again had an excellent start, and attempted to sweep around the outside into Turn 1. But Veiby immediately covered the inside line and effectively boxed the Norwegian out, allowing Kristoffersson to escape at the front. Contact through the opening corners shuffled Bakkerud backwards, which also saw the Norwegian make contact with Juha Rytkönen, who was on the outside of turn 2, and ultimately parked his Hyundai i20 as a result of the damage.

Kristoffersson began to build an advantage at the front, but it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Swede due to a loss of radio communication with his spotter, forcing him to judge the joker strategy entirely from inside the cockpit.

Behind the Swede, team-mate Veiby delivered the perfect supporting drive, controlling the chasing pack and protecting the KMS advantage while Turpeinen, Bakkerud, and O’Donovan fought behind.

Kristoffersson eventually committed to his joker on lap five and rejoined comfortably ahead, sealing a controlled victory to begin the 2026 season perfectly. Veiby completed the KMS 1-2.

Joni Turpeinen resisted enormous pressure from SET Promotion stablemate Bakkerud in the closing laps to secure a sensational podium finish on his Euro RX debut, underlining his status as one of rallycross’ up-and-coming stars.

Bakkerud ultimately finished fourth, while O’Donovan completed the top five ahead of Rytkönen, who failed to finish

Kristoffersson Motorsport finished 1- 2 in Latvia.
PHOTO CREDIT Kristoffersson Motorsport/Wiebke Langebeck

For Kristoffersson, the Latvia weekend delivered the perfect statement — but the intensity of the competition also showed the rest of the field is far closer than many expected.

"We are very, very happy. I mean, we had a very tough weekend in terms of the launches, so we have been hunting those launches for the whole weekend. I think it's a big relief now after the final, finishing 1-2," Kristoffersson said after the final. "A huge thanks to the team. I mean, it was a late decision to come here, and a lot of sacrifices had to be made for people to come to work for us on such short notice. So, I am super happy to be here and very happy to deliver the result for the guys that they really deserve after preparing the car for us."

Veiby echoed the sentiment after securing second place, "I had hoped to give Johan a better fight in the final, but I got hit from behind so one rear wheel was crooked, and the exhaust pipe was compressed, but we still managed to secure the 1-2 for the team."

Meanwhile, Turpeinen admitted the scale of his debut podium had still not fully sunk in. “It feels unbelievable,” he said. “I don’t know how I managed to do it.”

With round one complete, the 2026 FIA European Rallycross Championship now heads to the iconic Nyirád circuit in Hungary at the end of May for yet another thrilling round; however, it remains to be seen whether Janis Baumanis and Kristoffersson Motorsport will join the field there.

Baumanis mentioned when speaking to Andrew Coley, lead commentator of Euro RX, that he may return for the French round later this year, whilst Tommy Kristoffersson, team principal of KMS, confirmed, “We will make a decision about it at the beginning of the week.” 

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. 

Bakkerud crowned Euro RX Champion on 30th birthday.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media

Andreas Bakkerud was crowned FIA European Rallycross Champion for the third time in his career at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday.  

At first, the 29-year-old looked destined to miss the 2021 season after struggling to put the budget together, but with all the pieces of th puzzle falling into place. Andreas was able to ink an 11th-hour deal to join the grid in the Euro RX1 category with ESMotorsport.

Having clinched a podium finish at round one in Sweden. There were signs that Bakkerud had the potential to fight for victories, if not the title, but the question remained: Would he return for the full season? Well! As the weeks progressed it became fairly clear that he would return for a few more events, which in the end resulted in him completing the full season. 

With one podium finish under his belt, Andreas found himself in championship contention with one round remaining. The scene was set... the title would be decided at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuits. 

The ESmotorsport driver claimed the top qualifiers spots and won his respective semi-final setting the scene for a thrilling finale in the Ardennes. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

A lights-to-flag victory cemented a hugely popular title triumph for Bakkerud, as Pailler followed him home to seal the runner-up spot with Jānis Baumanis in the second ESmotorsport Škoda Fabia completing the top three in both the event and the championship standings.

"This is absolutely crazy!" Andreas Bakkerud said. "I owe ESmotorsport a big ‘thank you’ for giving me the opportunity to compete in Euro RX1 this year – it really didn’t look like that would be happening before the start of the season. Everybody in the team has done such a great job. I’m very proud of them all, and there’s more to come."

"Hopefully, we have an even brighter future together."

Bakkerud to make EuroRX return at Lohéac.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Championship

Fresh off the back of a third-place finish in the FIA European Rallycross Championship curtain-raiser at Höljes just over a week ago, Andreas Bakkerud returns with ESMotorsport at the Bretagne World RX of Lohéac this weekend. 

The Norwegian is eager to build on the momentum from round one, this weekend at Lohéac – a scene of two prior podium finishes at World Championship level and Euro RX victories in 2012 and 2013.

Bakkerud will replace Aleš Fučík at the ESMotorsport for the French round. 

"I’m stoked to be back in Euro RX1 again for Lohéac!" Bakkerud said. "It was awesome to return to racing at Höljes. I don’t like things being so last-minute like that, but I would always rather be a last-minute entry than staying at home on my sofa watching on the TV – that was a horrible feeling during the Barcelona weekend."

"I’m so thankful to ESMotorsport and all of my partners for making that happen – and now for Lohéac and Riga too. And in any case, my sofa is sold now so I guess I can’t stay home anymore...

"We took some big steps forward before the final in Sweden, and I think that showed with third place and fastest lap, which is really encouraging going forward – and we certainly need to be absolutely on top of our game, because the level in Euro RX1 this year is extremely high," he adds.

"I’ve raced against Thomas Bryntesson since back in our karting days, and he is one of the best drivers I’ve ever known. Unfortunately, he’s never had the budget to compete in the World Championship, but he’s definitely got the pace to do so. The same can be said for the Dubourgs – the effort DA Racing puts in and the professionalism of that team is really impressive. Then there are the Pailler brothers – every time I jump into esports to do some laps, they’re always there getting some extra practice in!"

The 2019 Vice-Champion has also confirmed his interest in participating in the World Championship with ESMotorsport in Portugal later this year. 

"From my experience of working with them so far, ESMotorsport is similarly a top team and one with great potential for the future," he said. "With that in mind, I’m keen to test the Škoda against the World Championship guys at some stage this season as well – maybe Portugal could be a possibility – but first, let’s focus on Lohéac."

ESMotorsport Team Manager Robertas Maneikis is delighted to have extended the relationship with Andreas Bakkerud after achieving the teams' first podium in Euro RX1. 

"The whole team has been lifted by Andreas’ result, but we are well aware that it will not be easy moving forward and we still keep finding small details on the car to improve its pace," Maneikis said. "We hope that we can complete the whole Euro RX1 season with Andreas to find even more synergy with the team for a bigger future next year."

Bakk-erud returns with Lithuanian outfit ESMotorsport in Euro RX1.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

Andreas Bakkerud feels 'over the moon to be back on the grid' after inking an 11th-hour deal to join Euro RX1 with ESMotorsport at Höljes this weekend. 

The 29-year-old looked destined to miss the 2021 season after struggling to put the necessary budget together, but when the opportunity presented itself to drive the ESMotorsport’s second Škoda Fabia at Höljes alongside Jānis Baumanis – he explains that he did not need to think too hard...

"Having to watch one more race weekend from the sofa would just have been unthinkable," Bakkerud said, “and especially Höljes – my stomach wouldn’t have stood for that! I really enjoyed the new RX+ broadcast in Barcelona and all the onboard camera angles are really cool, but the bottom line is that I’m a racer and I want to be out there racing!

"I’m over the moon to be back on the grid, and this is such a special circuit for me. I went to school in Torsby when I was growing up, so I’m very familiar with the area around Höljes and it really feels like a home track."

"There has been a huge amount of hard work behind-the-scenes with my partners and the team to get to this point, and now it’s time to enjoy it and go racing!" he said.

Bakkerud's livery for the Höljes Euro RX1 outing.
CREDIT: ESMotorsport.

The Norwegian is one of the biggest names in international motorsport having claimed two FIA European Rallycross Championship in Super1600, then taking the step up to the World Championship stage in 2014.

Andreas has triumphed on seven occasions and finished inside the top three in the title standings in 2016, 2018, and 2019 – in the last of those seasons, tying on points with eventual champion Timmy Hansen.

Bakkerud’s past form at Höljes is certainly impressive, with five straight podium finishes there in the World Championship from 2014 to 2018. 

"My expectations are always high – whenever my name is on the entry list, I’m there to win – but I also need to be realistic given that I haven’t done many laps in the Fabia. Results come over time, so I can’t expect to go out there and be the fastest straightaway, but this is a great opportunity to get to know the team and car," Bakkerud adds.

"Höljes is a one-off for now, but I’ve definitely got one eye on the future and I’ve always regarded ESMotorsport as a team with real potential in rallycross. Who knows, maybe I can be the driver who breaks the ice and steps onto the podium with them..."

Budgetary issues sidelines Bakkerud from permanent entry in 2021.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

Earlier this week, the FIA formally confirmed the entry list for the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship, and it was clear that one name was absent. That name, Andreas Bakkerud. 

It's quite mind-boggling, as the 29-year-old competed in every season of the World RX championship to date since its inception in 2014, but due to the effects of the global pandemic. He has been unable to find the required budget for a full-time return in 2021. 

Andreas Bakkerud is one of the most loved drivers in the rallycross, not only for his winning mentality, but also because of his personality and charm. Which, will surely be missed, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship gets underway in Barcelona later this month. 

With the Covid-19 pandemic, unfortunately, businesses have had to change their outlook on cash flow, and this has had a knock-off effect for athletes globally and drivers alike. Whilst Andreas is one of the names we will miss this season. Another driver who will not for part of the full-time entry list is none other than the inaugural World RX of Benelux winner Timur Timerzyanov, which is also had to grasp. 

We've seen this scenario play out last year, as Janis Baumanis who was set to drive for KYB Team JC was forced to step aside to budgetary issues. 

If we are to take a look back to 2018 after EKS RX withdrew from the championship, Andreas was left without a season. So, in order to make the grid the following season, with hard work, he was able to collaborate with Liam Doran, and the RX Cartel was formed. The team hired two Audi's from EKS which ended with Andreas and Timmy Hansen finish level on points, with a countback of victories deciding the champion.

A year later, JC Raceteknik purchased the two Audi S1 Quattro Supercars from EKS RX, and the RX Cartel had to look elsewhere. They sealed a deal with GC Kompetition to race, two Renault Megane R.S.RX cars, but unfortunately, the car wasn't competitive from the offset, despite Andreas reaching the semi-final and finals on a number of occasions. 

Moving on to 2021, unfortunately, as stated earlier Andreas Bakkerud will not return in 2021, and he explains, why? "[My career path is] between motorsport going to electric and everything that's going on in the world with Covid-19," he said.

"What I'm trying to explain is that after 11 years where I've entered international championships. This is my first year where I haven't signed any deal with any team with any championship for me personally that's a big bummer," Bakkerud explains. "I would definitely love to be entered into a championship especially the FIA World Rallycross Championship, which I'm trying desperately to win every year and I haven't still succeeded closes with 2019 where we ended at the same point as Timmy Hansen who won the championship where we lost on amount of wins during the year."  

"So, yeah it's a big bummer to sit here and explain to you all that we're missing out on the championship. I've been working flat to manage to make it happen, but I've finally decided that will not do it due to the economy and it is due to budget. If we had a big budget we would definitely look into it, but my feeling is that I didn't want to take a bigger risk than that I can and so that's why I'm here trying to explain to you guys that will race in the championship."

Having explained why he won't be on the grid in 2021. The Norwegian tries to shed some light on what his future could potentially be. 

"I have a strong belief that when one door closes another one opens up, but who knows maybe I'm doing the Dakar next year, or maybe I'm coming back to Rallycross," he said. 

"It's very hard to say that one thing is for sure that I am missing a new Norwegian championship gold in my closet so and this year is the Norwegian karting championship at my home track in Bergen [Norway], so that's something that I'm actually the only thing I have on my calendar this year and yeah I am going to try to do some rallycross hopefully this year. Maybe some single event entries. Thus far I haven't signed into any championship, so I'm very open." 

Andreas has made it very clear that he has not quit and he'll be "coming back very soon!"