Showing posts with label Johan Kristoffersson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johan Kristoffersson. Show all posts

Thursday 14 December 2023

LONG READ: 'My key to success is paying attention to details and having very, very good people around me', Kristoffersson says.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
The journey to greatness always starts somewhere…. Born to a motorsport family, Johan Kristoffersson was always destined for a life in motorsport, as his father ran the successful, Kristoffersson Motorsport, where he competed in both rallycross and the Swedish Touring Car Championship [STCC].  

Traveling through Europe with his family, and their team, as a kid, he immediately became involved - cleaning and preparing racing tyres, as well as driving the teams truck around the paddock, and getting stuck into pitstops in STCC. 

Unlike his father, Johan opted for a different career route. He decided to compete in Cross Country Skiing, where he achieved a top 10 ranking in Sweden, but after completing school, his career in motorsport well and truly kicked into high-gear. 

It was 2008, when he climbed into a race car for the first time in the Junior Touring Car Championship, and after his very first race, the Swede was hooked. 

As his career developed, he gained the necessary experience for the success, which would soon grace his record. 

Johan Kristoffersson wins the first STCC race of the season at Mantorp Park.
PHOTO CREDIT: Mediaempire.se
After four years of racing, success was just around the corner, as he claimed his first race victory in the 2012 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, and went on to win the championship, along with four other titles that year - the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia, Italian-based Touring Car Championship, and the Superstars Series in all three categories (Italian, International and Rookie).

The two years that followed kept Kristoffersson grounded, but 2013, saw him make the transition from circuit racing to rallycross, and it wasn’t until 2014, that he claimed his first rallycross victory in the European Championship. 

A year later, he claimed a third-place finish in the World Rallycross Championship, but as the years progressed, he continued to apply his trade in different championships. 

But, it wasn’t until 2017, when he teamed up with Petter Solberg’s PSRX Volkswagen Sweden, and despite getting off to a slow start, acheiving two podium finishes in rounds 2 and 3, thereafter, he claimed seven straight wins in the 12-round calendar. 

Returning with PSRX Volkswagen in 2018, Kristoffersson won all but one round, which would begin a record breaking career in rallycross. 

Despite missing the 2019 season, after Volkswagen Motorsport withdrew from the championship. He returned with family-run – Kristoffersson Motorsport, in a modified version of his 2016 VW Polo, but despite having some pressure applied throughout the season, he went on to win another championship. 

Kristoffersson celebrating after winning upon return to World RX in 2020.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA.com
Having only driven Volkswagen Supercars in rallycross, things were different in 2021, when he joined EKS JC [Audi], in what would be the final season of internal combustion powered cars. And, whilst it was a topsy turvy season, Kristoffersson wrapped up his fourth title, whilst also competing in the Extreme E Championship alongside team-mate Molly Taylor, a season that would see the Swede win the inaugural season. 

After years of talking, 2022 was finally the year of implementation, as the World Rallycross Championship went fully-electric, with teams retrofitting their cars with Austrian firm Kriesel’s powertrains. 

The future within World Rallycross did not seem all that clear for Kristoffersson Motorsport, but as we all know, the Swedish team never gave up, as they managed to secure two VW Polo R5 chassis’ from long-term partner Volkswagen Sweden. 

Starting from a blank slate seems a lot easier then retrofitting the Kriesel powertrain to an already existent chassis, or is it? “I think it was much more difficult to build a brand new car,” Kristoffersson explains. “I mean if we had the possibility, and if we had the choice from just out of the driver and engineer point of view. You would definitely convert an old car with all the benefits that come together with that. But we didn't have the possibility, so we just had to build a brand new car.”  

Working away on developing a new car, Kristoffersson Motorsport engineered what would become an all conquering machine, that went on to win 8 of 10 rounds in the inaugural electric rallycross season. 

With his wealth of experience, Kristoffersson’s input into the design and the development is certainly something that a team would factor in, the likes of, if the car should have more understeer or oversteer 6.

He explains: “I was lucky enough to work with the guys that developed our cars since 2017. So, the engineer that is project leader of the electric car build has been my chassis engineer since 2018. So, we did the 2018 World Rallycross Championship season together, and we also did the 2019 TCR season and 2020/21 World Rallycross Championships together, the latter with the Audi S1. So, we’ve actually raced three different cars plus some others... I've done some rallying together with him, as well so I've driven the R5.”

“I think he knows me very well and how I want the car to be set up… So, I think in terms of how involved I am on the project. Yes, I am involved because I'm curious, but I think not involved in daily meetings because they already have all the data that we’ve collected over the years.” 

A year later, the World Rallycross Championship encountered one of it’s most challenging moments, as two cars - Special One Racing, the teams equipment and a truck caught a light. 

The future of the championship seemed bleak, as round after round was canceled, but in an extraordinary move, the FIA World Motor Sport Council elected to continue the championship with equal machinery [RX2e cars], but despite these challenges, Kristoffersson kept his finger on the pulse to clinch a sixth World Rallycross Championship. 

He also clinched the Extreme Championship with team-mate Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky in Chile.this year. 

Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson celebrate their 2023 Extreme E Championship win in Chile.
PHOTO CREDIT: Extreme E Media
Like Extreme E, and the final rounds of the 2023 World Rallycross Championship in equal cars, should the world championship have equal machinery? 

“I think having equal cars makes it a completely different kind of a championship,” he said. “And for me, it wouldn’t be a world championship because there is no manufacture title if there are equal cars. If you compete with equal cars, it's more like a national championship or Porsche Carrera Cup.”

Having achieved championships in circuit racing, rallycross and off-road racing, Johan Kristoffersson has certainly cemented himself in the history books, as one of the greatest of all time, but what makes him great, or the greatest: “It's a combination of many things, I believe my key to success is that I pay attention to details and it all comes down to the fact that I am a very, very competitive person."

“I think it also comes from a cross country skiing background, if you do a race, or compare it to a marathon. And, you’re at the start line of a marathon, you need to have done your homework. So, everyday you would wake up, and don’t want to go out running, but if you don’t do it then can’t arrive at the start line prepared. So, I think that is one part, and then of course in motorsport, it’s also an individual sport in terms of – it’s only me driving the car. So, it’s teamwork with all the mechanics and engineers, as well. It is also very, very important to have good people around you that want to win just as much as you do,” he added. 

With nine years of experience, the Swede has seen the good, bad and ugly of the world  championship, but in his opinion, is the sport at it’s greatest point right now, or is there room for improvement? 

“I think everything that comes naturally will be better for the spectators, like if there were a little bit more cars and more drivers at the top level,” he said. “As soon as there are more drivers in the top level there will be tighter racing, more excitement and tighter at the top. So I don't think that it has really so much to do exactly with what World Rallycross is today. I think that it is more of that it is still missing some cars. In 2017 and 18, there were many teams, and many very professional teams. There are still professional teams, but it's not as many as it was at that time. It hasn't changed much since then but I think it just takes some time also in the transition from internal combustion to electric.”  

Nothing is ever a given in the world of motorsport - even achieving championships does not guarantee the possibility to progress through the ranks, but in the ever evolving world of rallycross, it is rather expensive to rent cars and the equipment to compete, which is something seen in Cape Town, where 2023 FIA RX2e Champion Nils Andersson worked as the team manager of Kristoffersson Motorsport instead of racing. 

Whilst Nils brings a wealth of knowledge in RX2e, Johan believes that the world championship needs to have teams with the ability to pay drivers. 

“Nils [Andersson] should be in a car. But, in order to get the best drivers in the world to drive the World Championship, you need to have teams that have the possibility to pay the drivers,” Kristoffersson said. “If the drivers pay to join the championship, you will never get the best drivers in the world. That's simple!  So, you have to find a way for the team to have the financial power to pay drivers to come, and then they will find a way also to find a third car or a fourth car for a driver like Nils to join the championship to prove his skills.”

Four years since manufacturers departed the world championship due to lack of clarity regarding the switch to electric power.There has been a continued push to a greener future, with manufacturers looking for new opportunities to test their technologies, and Kristoffersson believes that World Rallycross is “definitely 100%” ready for manufacturer return. 

The COVID-19 pandemic really proved challenging, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship did not race in Cape Town for four years, but upon return, Johan was reacquainted with his championship-winning Volkswagen Polo R Supercar, named “Wilma”.

“The last time I drove it [the Polo R] was in 2018, and I reckon that it was the weekend that we raced in Cape Town or at the Gymkhana Grid event. I will always have a special feeling towards that car, as I drove it for two seasons and I also won 18 rounds with the car in World Rallycross,” he said.

“I won my first championship with that car, as well, to me it feels like an old relationship, but we've been through a lot. So, yes, that car will also remain very, very special to me. I saw it when arriving at the circuit [for set-up and media day], and the last time I saw it was in 2020, when I visited Volkswagen Motorsport in Hanover, when I then used the car that Petter [Solberg] raced in 2018 for th 2020 World Championship.”

“To give you some history, Jari-Matti Latvala won the 2014 Rally Sweden in this car [chassis], and he also won Rally Finland with the car in 2004. So yeah, it has some history,” he added.

DID YOU KNOW: Johan Kristoffersson named his 2022/23 Volkswagen Polo RX1e - "Greta".

Andreas Bakkerud, Kevin, Timmy Hansen, Klara Andersson, Guerlain Chicherit and Timo Scheider's ideal World Rallycross tracks.
Like every World RX one-on-one, we placed a blank seat infront of Johan Kristoffersson, and asked him to draw his ideal circuit, but looking at the track designs of Timmy Hansen, Guerlain Chicherit, and Klara Andersson, you could see the cogs begin to turn…

Kristoffersson was quick to note the short comings on the other track designs, saying: “they are missing a gravel corner, one corner and then a corner again in the same direction. If you only go right, left, right, left, right there's no overtaking ever. You need to have right, right and a left, left. Then you get overtaking.”

“Then if you have gravel on the inside and tarmac on the outside. The gravel on the inside will always be fast. It will just spit all the gravel onto the tarmac and it will then be slower anyway. I mean it looks cool. But these layout don’t work,” he added.

Johan Kristoffersson's ideal World Rallycross track.
Putting some thought into it, the newly crowned six-time FIA World Rallycross Champion, put pen to paper and immediately drew seven grid slots, to which, he said: “There seems to be seven grid slots, but anyway. It's fine, we can have it in the future, Thinking ahead. [he laughs]”

“Then you need a long straight thereafter. And, then you start braking on the gravel. It's very narrow my track. But then you need to have a left and then a left again. There will be a lot of gravel on my track as well. We then need a big jump.”

Thereafter “we need to find a way to put the joker [lap] in with a tight chicane on the inside. The joker should ideally be on gravel.”

He mentions "that there should be more banked corners, but in rallycross it is difficult to maintain them. My track should actually have a bit more gravel, because it’s a lot more difficult. I prefer gravel then sand,” he says. “The joker lap needs to be that if you take risks, you should gain time. If you want to be safe, you lose time.”

Whilst designing the track, he said that Nitrocross tracks “are cool when they go over and under [each other], but that won’t be allowed [in the world championship.]”

Enjoy the video below, where Johan briefly talks us through his track design in the video below:

VIDEO FILMED BY: Rhea Morar [The PitCrew Online]

Johan explains his track layout - “So here, the start, then you have a long right hander followed by another a long right hander. And, then you have a big jump that goes into a corner, into the hairpin. And then you go into this, and then you have a big jump again. Then you can choose if you want to stay really tight inside off-camber. Or if you jump long, and you go to the banked corner, and try to go do some overtake into here. This is not so bad."

Sunday 12 November 2023

Kristoffersson raises the bar to produce stellar 40th career victory.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
After apologizing to the fans yesterday for what he believed was not producing a spectacular final, Johan Kristoffersson approached the season finale with one thing in mind - victory, and perfection, as he capped off the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship with a 40th career victory on the streets of Hong Kong today. 

LONG READ - STRAP IN! 

It’s not a marathon, it’s a SUPERPOLE shootout!

Twenty-four hours after claiming victory in Hong Kong - Kevin Hansen qualified in the last position with the format change - “Qualifying Practice”. It was pretty evident that track evolution would be a factor in SuperPole, however, it wasn’t apparent just how drivers’ would reap the benefits of these improvements. Well, tactics come out to play, and rather strange tactics, which would set the base for the day. 

Luck is a four-letter word, something hard to come by or achieve, and unfortunately, Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky had yet another awful day of bad luck, as she hit the barrier with her rear left wheel during SuperPole, which led to her crabbing across the checkered line to set the pace for the session. 

Thereafter, it seemed to be a race of who could finish last, but CE Dealer Team’s Klara Andersson had other plans, as she posted the fastest time with a handful of drivers to complete a lap. 

One by one some drivers elected to go slow, and others fast - Kevin Hansen among the group opting for the fast approach, as he secured SuperPole by 0.090s from six-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson. 

Speaking directly after the session, he said: “I heard rumors of tactics coming into this session, and both my teammates used them [slow tactic]. I just wanted to have a clean start to the day, and have a clean mind going into the first heats.”

TURNING UP THE HEAT[S]

HEAT ONE

After fascinating tactics during SuperPole, it was time to put the best times on the board in the overall rankings. Having run two heats yesterday, the championship returned to normal order today, with three heats consisting of five cars. So, who will top the rankings and progress to the semi-final and finals? 

With the “slowest cars” going first, it was Niclas Gronholm who firmly made his intentions known with a mighty impressive outside move to take the lead into turn one, as Timmy Hansen and Ole Christian Veiby tangled. The Hansen Motorsport driver was later reprimanded for the contact. 

Large and in charge, Niclas was unfazed despite Timmy Hansen’s pace in the closing stages, as he won the heat ahead of Hansen, Veiby, Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Rene Munnich.

Race two, featuring the fastest drivers from SuperPole had to contend with big rutted sections, and despite a tight squeeze into turn one, Kevin Hansen led into turn one, with the support of debutant team-mate Patrick O’Donovan defending in second. But, with a clever first lap joker, Kristoffersson picked off O’Donovan, and later Scheider to secure second behind Hansen with Scheider in third ahead of Patrick and Klara.  

HEAT TWO

In usual World Rallycross fashion, the fastest drivers from the previous session went first for the second of three heats. With yet another brilliant start, Niclas Gronholm looked to be the early leader, but with the momentum and the usual pushing and shoving – it was as if the sea parted to clear the way for Kristoffersson who took the lead – a position that he would hold to the chequered flag, with Gronholm behind followed by Timmy Hansen, Veiby and Kevin in fifth.

Starting from pole, All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport’s Timo Scheider had a strong launch, and led into turn one in race two, as Klara pulled off a beautiful rally-esque move to claim second. 

Having opted for an early joker strategy, O’Donovan kept the pressure on, and as those ahead took their compulsory joker laps, he emerged into the lead to win his first heat race on the international rallycross stage, with Ahlin-Kottulinsky in fourth and Munnich rounding out the order in a distant fifth.

HEAT THREE

Just one heat to make an impact in the overall standings - it was all systems go for heat three. Timo Scheider fended off an attack from behind but after a big hit from Kevin Hansen into turn 1 and 2. Klara Andersson took the lead, and as the race progressed, the Cape Town race winner began to close up on Swede, but she remained unfazed, as she beat the German with Hansen finished third ahead of Munnich and Ahlin-Kottulinsky, who failed to finish the race.

The final heat race saw Ole Christian Veiby get a very good start battling Gronholm into turn one, as Kristoffersson kept his nose clean, and took an early joker lap in an attempt to overtake those ahead, but as the meters ticked over Timmy stopped on track with front suspension damage. 

Covering off Kristoffersson’s late charge, Gronholm jokered and came out comfortably ahead, but Veiby remained in the lead. Could he apply enough pleasure to win the final race? He sure did, Niclas led to the final corner, but something strange happened as he slowed with meters to the chequered flag, as Veiby and Kristoffersson pushed in every direction to get past. OC won ahead of team-mate Johan... 

With all the results calculated, six-time world champion Johan Kristoffersson was the top qualifier in the overall rankings ahead of Niclas Gronholm, Kevin Hansen, Ole Christian Veiby, Klara Andersson, Timo Scheider, Timmy Hansen, Patrick O’Donovan. Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Rene Munnich.

MAKE OR BREAK!

Having topped the rankings, Johan Kristoffersson started from pole position, but with a full-send move, Timmy Hansen sent it around the outside to take the lead, as Johan studied the pace of his rivals. 

As the laps ticked off, the Kristoffersson Motorsport driver pumped in faster sectors, and he then opted for an earlier joker lap strategy, which provided vital, as he crossed the line to snatch P1 from Timmy’s grasp, with Klara Andersson in third progressing to the final, and round nine winner Kevin Hansen going no further along with Ahlin-Kottulinsky.

“Yes, for sure very happy [to secure second in the championship]! It’s been a very tough season. To end the season as vice champion is nice, but now there is only one trophy missing, and that is the World Championship, so we will come back next year [in 2024],” Kevin Hansen said.

With a nightmare final corner in heat 3, Niclas Gronholm’s luck finally paid off as he led comfortably into turn one, despite some bumper bashing behind. Almost immediately, Ole Christian Veiby and Scheider took their joker lap in an attempt to beat those ahead, but the Finn was cool, calm, and collected. His pace at the front meant he crossed the chequered flag in P1 ahead of Veiby and O’Donovan. Having recently shown an impressive turn of speed, Timo Scheider’s weekend came to an end with a fourth-place finish in semi-final two. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
THE KING MAKES IT COUNT

Five laps,, six drivers… It was lights, camera.. GOOOO! The pressure was on to nail the start, and Johan Kristoffersson did just that. Behind the reigning champion was Niclas Gronholm who tried to fend off the second Kristoffersson Motorsport machine, but to no avail. 

Opting for a different tactic, Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson immediately took the joker lap and set the pace. The Finn overtook his team-mate, as Timmy Hansen took a dive into the joker lap in an attempt to stay ahead of Gronholm, which he managed to achieve. 

A lap later, Patrick O’Donovan took the joker lap to fend off team-mate Timmy Hansen, with Veiby doing the same a lap later, a move that worked. 

Like clockwork, Kristoffersson was unbeatable in the final, as he crossed the checkered flag ahead of team-mate Veiby, and Patrick O’Donovan – who claimed his first-ever podium in World Rallycross. Right behind them were Timmy Hansen, Niclas Gronholm, and Klara Andersson. 

“That was nice! The championship was secured yesterday, but yesterday was a very, very frustrating final. So, I am very happy to be able to pull off the win today,” Johan Kristoffersson said.

“That first corner in the final was the one where I decided and had free track and was able to do my own pace. I am happy it’s done, to be honest. Klara and Niclas have been very strong in the first corner this weekend, and I am very happy to have matched them in the final into the first corner. To be able to put on a show for five laps in front of the Hong Kong fans is great.”

FINAL RESULT: 

1. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON 

2. Ole Christian VEIBY + 3.641s

3. Patrick O’DONOVAN + 4.599s

4. Timmy HANSEN + 4.939s

5. Niclas GRÖNHOLM + 6.218s

6. Klara ANDERSSON + 6.980s

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 10]:
1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 141 POINTS

2) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 104

3) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 94

4) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 89

5) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 82

6) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 78

7) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 71

8) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 30

9) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 29

10) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 27

11) Patrick O’Donovan (Hansen World RX Team) - 22

12) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 20

13) Mikaela Ã…hlin-Kottulinsky (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 13

Saturday 11 November 2023

Kevin Hansen shines in maiden Hong Kong event as Kristoffersson clinches a record sixth title.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Kevin Hansen returned to winning ways after a masterful drive at the World Rallycross of Hong Kong earlier today, as Johan Kristoffersson clinched his sixth world championship having made the final. 

In a stunning track – sandwiched between Hong Kong’s iconic downtown skyscrapers and the waters of Victoria Harbour – the day's action was shortened due to unforeseen construction delays, but that failed to dampen the mood. 

SuperPole was canceled, as a result of the format change for the day, with qualifying practice ultimately deciding who would start in pole position for the first heat. In addition, the starting grid for the qualifying "shoot-out" practice was decided based on reverse championship order.

Having had four laps to get to grips with the shortened 1,125-meter track, one-by-one the drivers' were released onto the track, with OC Veiby finally getting one over his teammate, but it wasn't all that simple for Johan Kristoffersson and championship rival Kevin Hansen who both encountered puncture, which meant they'd both start in the slowest heat race. 

Out of position both Kevin and Johan would start on the outside in Heat One, with Rene Munnich in pole position, but as soon as the lights went out Kevin Hansen had a superb launch to lead the chequered flag ahead of Kristoffersson and Klara Andersson. In the second race, it was iceman Niclas Gronholm who got one over Ole Christian [pole sitter], as Timmy Hansen battled with debutant Patrick O'Donovan and Timo Scheider. 

Topping the heat meant that Kevin would start from the pole position in Heat 2 with championship leader Johan Kristoffersson alongside. Klara Andersson, Niclas Gronholm, and Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky filled out the remaining spots, with the fastest going first. 

Gronholm had a quick start and took the lead ahead of Kristoffersson and Hansen, which were the positions that they'd remain to the chequered flag, whilst Klara Andersson finished fourth, and Ahlin-Kottulinsky encountered some issues after contact with a barrier. 

Starting from pole position in heat 2 race 2, Veiby led Timmy Hansen, and Timo Scheider, as Patrick O'Donovan and Rene Munnich dropped back from the championship regulars, however, the O'Donovan's pace was on par with those ahead. 

After the two heats consisting of two races, it was straight into the semi-finals with the clouds going away, but it was still reasonably wet. Starting from pole, the younger Hansen brother swept into the lead, as Timo Scheider set it up the inside of Kristoffersson at turn one, whilst O'Donovan and Timmy Hansen battled for the first of the loose spot. 

With victory in semi-final one, Hansen sealed pole position for the all-important final ahead of Scheider [middle row] and Kristoffersson [back row], it was all down to semi-final 2 to decide who would join the fastest three of the day. 

And, like clockwork, it was Construction Equipment Dealerteam's Gronholm who claimed victory against Veiby yet again, with Klara Andersson securing a start in the final, whilst Rene Munnich and Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, who was piloting the third Kristoffersson Motorsport RX2e machine crashed into the barriers on lap one. Thankfully, she was not harmed in the incident. 

With Kevin Hansen and Niclas Gronholm on the front row, and a rocket-fast Johan Kristoffersson and Timo Scheider behind, it would be difficult to keep them behind on a drying track. 

As the lights went out, Hansen had a very good launch, and immediately gapped the field, as Niclas Gronholm somewhat stalled off the line, and got swallowed up by those behind. With championship leader Kristoffersson up to second with Veiby and Scheider going door-to-door fighting for third.

Into turn 3, Veiby maintained third, whilst both CE Dealterteam drivers jokered on the first lap. With a touch more pace compared to OC Veiby, and in an attempt to cover Gronholm, Scheider took the joker lap but came out behind Niclas. 

The pressure was on, as Kristoffersson closed right up on Kevin, and with two laps to go, he took the joker lap aiming for an almighty push to claim victory on the final lap, but that was not to be, as his Zeriod X1 [RX2e] machine switched off on the line lap. 

Hansen took a final lap joker and claimed victory ahead of Niclas Gronholm with Timo Scheider rounding out the podium in third ahead of OC Veiby, Klara Andersson, and six-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson - who was able to restart the race and finish. 

The result marked Kevin's third World RX victory – with his maximum score strengthening his grip on second position in the championship standings.

"It was a tough start to the day with a puncture after the first corner of qualifying practice, and I just could not put a lap on the board. Then I had a good start in heat one, got around the outside, and took the lead to register a first-place finish. The semi-final and final were so smooth, I did my race. On dry tyres, the track was so fun to drive," Kevin Hansen explained. 

"In the final, I think Niclas [Gronholm] had a bad launch, which meant that I was quite alone into turn one, which was great for a change, but it was a tough final because it was such a tough track. You had to stay perfectly in line, or any little bump would take you out. I don’t think one lap was the same as the other."

"It has not been many wins, but I know that I am capable of it," he added. "I knew this was a great opportunity and I know I have a better understanding of this car. The team has also been on it – not a single moment has been left unanalyzed, with a lot of work even right up to the final where we were making changes to improve. It’s really been a team effort. I really enjoyed the challenge of those five laps. My third win feels like the best."

Uncharacteristically, Kristoffersson did not top a single session on the first day of action in Hong Kong, but having reached the final together with teammate OC Veiby, it was more than enough to clinch both the 2023 FIA Drivers' and Teams World Rallycross Championships.

"It’s a nice feeling [to clinch both titles]. We had a very good start to the season, I was able to win the first three rounds," Kristoffersson said. "The team has done a good job over the course of the season to improve the car. So, very happy with that! It’s been great to be able to wrap up both the teams and drivers’ championships today. The season has been quite enjoyable."

"But on a day like today, when the car decides to stop on the last lap it is very difficult to keep the consistency of scoring points, so not ideal."

The Volkswagen Dealer Team BAUHAUS driver apologized to the fans, saying: "I am sorry to the Hong Kong fans for depriving them of seeing two cars coming out of the last corner next to each other for the victory. We did all we could, but it was not enough. I can only say sorry to the fans for not putting on a good show." 

Following the final, the FIA Stewards summoned Niclas Gronholm, Timo Scheider and Ole Christian Veiby, and asked for their onboard footage, but after thorough review - no further action was taken.

With the action resuming tomorrow, there is no doubt that Kristoffersson will look to exact revenge after a challenging first day on Hong Kong... let's gooooo racing! 

Tuesday 7 November 2023

PREVIEW: Johan Kristoffersson is on the cusp of a sixth world title, as World RX is set to electrify Hong Kong

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
The end is near... the end is here... After months of highs and lows, the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship will reach its conclusion with a double-header in Hong Kong this weekend, as Johan Kristoffersson looks to wrap up a sixth title. 

2023 has had a bit of everything... domination, first wins, destruction and a brand-new venue - Hong Kong to conclude the season. 

Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s famous skyline, in the Central Harbourfront Event Space next to the iconic Victoria Harbour, the newly constructed 1225-metre downtown track will without a doubt be a challenge for drivers with its blend of flat-out straights, flowing corners, tight-and-twisty sections, jump and dramatic joker merge just before the finish line.

"It’ll be fantastic to race on a track right in the middle of downtown and to really bring the sport to the fans. What an amazing place to end the season!" Ole Christian Veiby said.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Johan Kristoffersson is in pole position to lift yet another title. The Swede has won four rounds to date this season and holds a healthy 36-point lead in the championship with only 46 points up for grabs with a double-header remaining. 

To deny the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver a sixth crown something significant would have to happen, but nothing can ever be ruled out in rallycross. 

The Swede's four closest rivals: Kevin Hansen, Timo Scheider, Niclas Grönholm, and Timmy Hansen – have all previously stepped onto the podium in World RX, with ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport's Scheider bringing the championship leader’s winning run to an end with a strong performance in Cape Town last time out.

"It’s pretty cool to be third in the championship now. I think there’s more to come from my side, too, because I’m still learning and adapting to the driving style required in this car. With such small gaps in terms of lap time, the tiniest mistake really puts you on the back foot and I think we all had a few ‘moments’ on-track in South Africa," Scheider said.

"If we can stay inside the top three overall after Hong Kong, that would be an outstanding achievement for myself and the team. We’ll need another clean and strong weekend, but I think we have a reasonable chance..."

To add insult to injury, Kevin Hansen ended Kristoffersson's SuperPole streak in South Africa, whilst older brother Timmy sets sights on victory.

"We’ve got really high hopes going to Hong Kong and we will try to be on it from the beginning. We’ll definitely be pushing for the win," he said.

Having made consistent improvements over the course of the season, Klara Andersson will undoubtedly look to better, if not take a higher step on the podium after making history last year - becoming the first woman to reach the rostrum in international rallycross. 

This coming weekend, she will be joined on the grid by compatriot and rival Mikaela Ã…hlin-Kottulinsky who finished third overall in the FIA RX2e championship. 

"It’s a dream come true to step in and be part of the best team in World RX – that’s pretty awesome! It was fun working with Johan and Ole Christian when they drove in RX2e in Belgium. I’m looking forward to continuing that collaboration and to working with the incredibly talented engineers and mechanics in the team," Ã…hlin-Kottulinsky said.

"It's hard to say what your goals are when you go into something for the first time like this. We’ll have a little more power in the cars than I’ve been used to in RX2e, and the circuit will be new for everyone. It’s a city centre event, which is super-cool, and I've enjoyed this type of track before. I'll certainly be giving it my best."

Rising star and two-time 5 Nations British Rallycross Champion Patrick O’Donovan will also make his series debut with Hansen World RX Team. The highly-rated British teenager has plenty of experience in the ZEROID X1 car that all drivers will race this weekend.

"It will be a childhood dream come true for me to make my World RX debut, and even better to be doing so in a car that I know," O'Donovan said.

"I’m extremely excited to see how my pace fares against some of the best rallycross drivers in the world, and to be working so closely with the Hansen Motorsport team. It’s also super-cool to be part of the first-ever World Rallycross inner-city event, especially in a venue like Hong Kong. I can’t wait!"

THE TRACK: HONG KONG'S CENTRAL HABOURFRONT EVENT SPACE.

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Track Length: N/A [OLD LAYOUT WAS - 1,225 metres]

Previous Winner: N/A

Asphalt/Dirt: 63%/37%

Joker Lap Loss: N/A

DESCRIPTION:

The cars will blast away from the start-line and hit the gravel on the dash to Turn One – a double 90-degree left-hander – which leads to a short, sharp sequence through Turns Two and Three. The unsealed surface then makes way for a long drag down to Turn Four, a tight right-hand hairpin – as the asphalt part of the lap begins.

After exiting the hairpin, drivers will deploy all of the power available to them as they race down the longest straight on the circuit. Next to tackle are a pair of consecutive right-handers in Turns Five and Six – the latter overlooked by the Hong Kong Observation Wheel – before sliding back onto the gravel and leaping over the jump on the approach to Turn Seven.

Alternatively, they may elect to dive into the joker, which is 23m shorter than the standard lap but tighter, twistier and slower. The joker and main lap then merge right before the finish line – setting the scene for some spectacular battles around the first city centre circuit in the championship’s history.

2023 FIA WORLD RX OF HONG KONG: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team)

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team)

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

Patrick O’Donovan (Hansen World RX Team)

Mikaela Ã…hlin-Kottulinsky (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)

Round 9 and 10 - World RX of Hong Kong (CAT Times)

SATURDAY:
SUPERPOLE: 04:05
HEAT 1: 09:10
HEAT 2: 09:30
HEAT 3: 10:00
SEMI-FINAL: 10:22
FINAL: 10:38

SUNDAY:
SUPERPOLE: 03:15
HEAT 1: 09:10
HEAT 2: 09:30
HEAT 3: 10:00
SEMI-FINAL: 10:22
FINAL: 10:38

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 8]:
1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 107 POINTS

2) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 71

3) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 68

4) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 63

5) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 59

6) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 54

7) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 50

8) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 29

9) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 27

10) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 20

11) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 16 

12) Patrick O’Donovan (Hansen World RX Team) - Debut Hong Kong

13) Mikaela Ã…hlin-Kottulinsky (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - Debut Hong Kong

Saturday 7 October 2023

Kristoffersson rules the roost to further extends championship lead.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Johan Kristoffersson has extended his 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship lead with another convincing win in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday afternoon.  

It wasn't all plain sailing for Kristoffersson, who had to work hard to fight back after having his unbeaten SuperPole record broken by a hungry Kevin Hansen by the slimmest of margins - 0.081s, whilst three different drivers won the heat races - Johan, Timo Scheider and Timmy Hansen. 

However, it was the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver who was more consistent than the rest of the field ending the heats at the summit of the standings ahead of Timmy Hansen and Scheider.

Kristoffersson and team-mate OC Veiby claimed victory in their respective semi-final. The latter had the path opened for him after Timmy Hansen hit a rutt at turn 3, which sent him straight into the barrier on the jump. The older of the Hansen brothers' kept pushing kept it pinned to bring his damaged ZERIOD X1 home in second to seal a place in the final behind the aforementioned Veiby.

Having locked out the front row, it seemed relatively simple for Johan Kristoffersson, who placed his car at a defensive angle from pole position, but with a good start, he luckily survived a turn-one squeeze in the final to make his escape, whilst the Hansen brothers' looked to make the most of their day. 

As Kristoffersson scampered off into the distance, OC Veiby came under immense pressure, to the extent that he defended quite aggressively, leading to Timo Scheider slipping up the inside of both to slot into second on the road, whilst Veiby stopped on track and was later reprimanded for the incident with Timmy. 

Kevin Hansen who jokered on lap 2, kept pushing whilst the drama happened ahead, to claim second over, whilst Johan emerged victorious by 3.915s to claim his 39th career victory. 

“It’s really good to be back and it’s always nice to win,” Kristoffersson said. “It was a tricky day, but I was lucky enough not to be in the traffic too much; I imagine it was easier for me than for the others, because it was difficult to follow with such limited visibility. These cars are a little bit different to the ones we are used to driving and the field is really tight. The first couple of corners in the final were pretty exciting and I actually thought I was going to spin in Turn Two; the track also got quite rutted in places, so I just played it safe to avoid any punctures and bring it home. Now we’ll try to do the same again tomorrow.”

Speaking in the press conference after the final, the top three drivers pointed out that the circuit was quite challenging with the amount of dust, which caused visibility issues, which they have demanded should be fixed with the use of more dust-ex. 

The action continues tomorrow at the Killarney International Racing tomorrow, with Johan potentially on the cards to lift a sixth championship title should be win the final. But, can anyon stop the Super Swede?

Wednesday 4 October 2023

Kristoffersson looking forward to Cape Town return with "100 percent win" record.

PHOTO CREDIT: Qnigan/Kristoffersson Motorsport
The FIA World Rallycross Championship 'finally' returns with a double-header in Cape Town, South Africa following a fire at Lydden Hill that destroyed two Special One Racing cars, equipment, and a truck.

After three months on hold, the World Rallycross Championship returns after the FIA World Motor Sport Council elected to continue the championship, but with equal cars, as the investigation into the route cause of a battery fire at Lydden Hill continues. 

Five-time World Champion Kristoffersson took a firm hold on the title fight during the third round of the championship early this season. With a maximum of 69 points up for grabs, and a lead of 27 points over runner-up Niclas Grönholm.

"Finally, it will be a race again! I'm really looking forward to driving in Cape Town," Johan Kristoffersson said. 

"100 percent wins down there. Also, I won the Gymkhana in Johannesburg, so I know worse places to go than South Africa. In general, I also enjoy it there. There are nice people, a nice atmosphere, and very good food."

Despite a big lead in the championship, he doesn't feel completely confident yet.

"It is late in the year, but there are actually more than 50 percent of the competitions still left. You have to be on your guard, but after all, I'd rather sit in my seat with a 27-point lead than have to take risks and chase," the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver said.

Team-mate Ole Christian Veiby, on the other hand, will make his competitive debut on South African soil this weekend and said: "It'll be fun. The course looks really fun. We were also fast with these cars in Belgium. It is very important that we have driven this type of car a little before."

The Swedish squad has set a goal for the four remaining rounds - two in Cape Town and two in Hong Kong in November.

"Johan will win the driver's championship, where we will also get Ole Christian up on the podium and then we will secure the team championship," Tommy Kristoffersson, Kristoffersson Motorsport team manager, said. 

PREVIEW: World RX returns to the Mother City with a thriller in prospect.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
After over two months, the FIA World Rallycross Championship finally gets back underway in Cape Town, South Africa at the Killarney International Raceway with the first double-header of the season. 

The last time World RX visited the Mother City [in 2019], fans were treated to arguably the most tense championship fight in history, as Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud went mona-e-mona for title glory, clashing on the first lap of the final and ending up tied on points – with Hansen prevailing on countback.

Hansen returns this weekend, as he bids to close the gap to championship leader Johan Kristoffersson. The 2019 Champion failed to finish two events this year, as a result of the FIA Safety Light system. 

The World Championship has been on hold since a devastating fire destroyed Special One Racing's cars, equipment, and truck at Lydden Hill just over two months ago, but with the season now resuming using equal machinery - the ZEROID X1 cars, the battle is back on with a vengeance.

It also means that for the first time in World RX history, there will be a completely level playing field, as all competitors take to the track in equal machinery – placing the emphasis firmly on skill behind the wheel and engineering expertise to extract the very last thousandth-of-a-second.

Six of the drivers in the field have already sampled the ZEROID X1 through guest outings in the FIA RX2e Championship during the summer. Kristoffersson won the RX2e event at Mettet in Belgium, and went unbeaten in Cape Town in 2017 and 2018 – on both occasions, having already clinched the coveted crown.

This time, the fight for honors is still very much alive, and while the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS star will arrive in the ‘Mother City’ holding a 27-point advantage at the summit of the standings, his rivals are firmly focused on chasing him down.

THE TRACK: KILLARNEY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY


THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Track Length: 0.663 miles (1.067KM)

2019 Winner: Niclas Gronholm

Asphalt/Dirt: 60%/40%

Joker Lap Loss: 2.6 seconds (approximately)

2023 FIA WORLD RX OF SWEDEN: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team)

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team)

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team)

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport)

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

SATURDAY:
SUPERPOLE: 09:05
HEAT 1: 14:10
HEAT 2: 14:30
HEAT 3: 15:00
SEMI-FINAL: 15:19
FINAL: 15:35

SUNDAY:
SUPERPOLE: 09:05
HEAT 1: 14:10
HEAT 2: 14:30
HEAT 3: 15:00
SEMI-FINAL: 15:19
FINAL: 15:35

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 6]:
1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 69 POINTS

2) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 42

3) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 38

4) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 35

5) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 33

6) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 31

7) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 30

8) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 29

9) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 27

10) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 20

11) Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - Making debut in Cape Town

Tuesday 19 September 2023

FIVE REASONS TO ATTEND THE 2023 WORLD RX OF SOUTH AFRICA

Johan Kristoffersson battling Timmy Hansen and OC Veiby.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Lights Out and Away We Go… After four long years, the FIA World Rallycross Championship returns to the shores of Cape Town, South Africa for a double-header at Killarney International Raceway on 7 & 8 October 2023.

The Killarney International Raceway has staged a round of the championship since 2017, the first FIA World Championship to be held in Sub-Saharan Africa in over 20 years. 

Having dominated the World RX of South Africa in 2017 and 18, five-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson returns leading a star-studded line-up featuring, history maker Klara Andersson, the Hansen brothers’, Niclas Gronholm, Timo Scheider, Ole Christian Veiby, and Rene Munnich. 

2019 World Champion Timmy Hansen, will also return to the circuit, where he clinched his maiden title in a rather dramatic season finale. Fast forward to 2023, another title could be clinched in Cape Town… but, why should you attend the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship? Here’s why:

The ZERIOD X1 [or RX2e] car blueprint.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA RX2e Championship
1. THE CARS

The FIA has made an unprecedented decision to continue the 2023 World RX championship with RX2e cars [better known as ZERIOD X1], as the investigation into the destructive fire that gutted Special ONE Racing [RX1e] in Lydden Hill continues.

The ZERIOD X1 is the formal name of the spec car used in RX2e. Developed by QEV Technologies, it weighs 1,170 kg and is capable of 335 horsepower with 510 Nm of torque.

Seven of the 8 confirmed drivers have driven the RX2e cars earlier this year, with Kristoffersson winning the penultimate round of the RX2e championship. 

The FIA homologated Cape Town RX track layout.
Source: FIA
2. THE TRACK

The very fast Killarney track is 1.060 km in length with some high cornering speeds, making it an awe-inspiring test of commitment with its high grip nature, including its average speed of approximately 95.87 km/h. 

3. A CHAMPION CROWNED?

With a healthy 23-point lead in the drivers' standings, should Kristoffersson win both rounds [double-header] scoring the maximum amount of points available. He could be crowned a six-time World Champion on South African soil. 

4. HISTORY SPEAKS

South Africa first hosted a round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2017, with Johan Kristoffersson winning the inaugural event, and returning a year later to win it again. 

The Mother City is happy stomping ground for the Super Swede, as well as, 2019 World Champion Timmy Hansen, who clinched the crown in a rather dramatic final. 

Level on points, it was ‘mano a mano’ in the 2019 final. Andreas Bakkerud had a lightning launch to lead the way, but in the tight sweeping turn 7, he ran a touch wide, which opened the door to Timmy Hansen, and he went for it. The two collided sending Bakkerud into the wall and Hansen spinning off the track, with Niclas Gronholm taking the lead. 

The Finn claimed victory, but who would clinch the title behind? Andreas Bakkerud finished second ahead of Timur Timerzyanov, with Timmy Hansen in fourth. But, by virtue of the countback rule, Hansen was declared the champion, after a lengthy investigation.

5. AFFORDABLE TICKET PRICES

Yes, that is correct. Tickets can be found here and a general access ticket for per day will cost R225 or you could purchase a Weekend Pass from R275. Compared to other live shows, this is a very good deal.

More so, grandstand tickets can now be purchased at a very reasonable price of R325 (Saturday) and R325 (Sunday).

A Trackside Bar ticket can also be purchased for R1,950 per day, with on-site parking also available.

Get your tickets now!

WRITTEN BY – Junaid Samodien

Wednesday 6 September 2023

The FIA makes unprecedented call to continue World RX Championship with RX2e cars.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool. 
In an unprecedented move, the FIA World Motor Sport Council [WMSC] has voted to continue the 2023 World Rallycross Championship in single-make RX2e [ZERIOD X1] vehicles.

Two months after a fire gutted the Special ONE Racing team's cars, hospitality unit, and truck at Lydden Hill circuit, the dual-surface championship will resume in Cape Town for a thrilling double-header, a venue that saw the 2019 title come down to the wire. Thereafter, the championship heads to Hong Kong, for its first-ever Asian round. 

"It’s so important that we are able to complete the season, where we will see closer racing than ever with everyone running the same specification of cars," Kenneth Hansen, Hansen Motorsport Team Principal, said.

Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson, mixing it up with the full-time RX2e drivers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Having announced the resumption of the championship, the FIA highlighted the fact that the decision was not taken lightly, as the investigation continues, "and the logistics timeframe of shipping cars to Cape Town." 

"Rallycross Promoter is absolutely committed to travelling to Cape Town and Hong Kong for the final rounds of the season," Arne Dirks, Rallycross Promoter Managing Director, said. "What is absolutely paramount is that the world’s best drivers are there to compete, and we are absolutely certain that fans will be treated to a spectacular weekend of action in both locations."

“We thank the teams for their fantastic cooperation in making sure we will have a pulsating completion to the 2023 season.”

So, what are these ZERIOD X1 [RX2e cars] you ask? Well! The RX2e cars were designed to emphasize the abilities behind the wheel, prioritizing driver skill and ingenuity above all else. These cars have an output of 362 horsepower [270kW], these cars are underpowered compared to the RX1e cars - they produce 680 horsepower [500kW].

Whilst reading that might seem like a letdown. Just keep in mind that having drivers compete in "equal machinery" could really add additional spice to the championship, and could put a stop to Johan Kristoffersson and Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS' dominant run. Or will it?

The championship might have fallen silent, as investigations continued in the background, but the star drivers and teams kept racing with, Kristoffersson, Veiby, Gronholm, Andersson, Timmy, and Kevin Hansen all competing in RX2e championship rounds.

"It’s great that everyone will be using the RX2e cars for what will be two great events to finish 2023. We have great memories from Cape Town, where we won our first World RX Drivers’ title in 2019, and also Hong Kong on a brand-new city center circuit," Kenneth Hansen said.

A minimum of eight drivers have been confirmed for the World Rallycross of South Africa next month, so to avoid disappointment get your tickets today. 

Tuesday 29 August 2023

2023 World Rallycross of South Africa tickets on sale today.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Tickets for the 2023 FIA World Rallycross of South Africa will go on sale to the general public from 12:00 CAT today, Tuesday August 29.

Get ready for electrifying short-sharp racing, door-to-door overtakes, and breathtaking jumps, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship returns to South Africa at the Killarney International Raceway on October 7th and 8th, after a four-year hiatus.

The dual-surface championship will see the likes of five-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson return to the familiar stomping ground in his Volkswagen Polo RX1e. 

The Super Swede claimed dominant wins in the Mother City behind the wheel of his PSRX Volkswagen Polo in 2017 and 18. And, he currently leads the championship by 23 points heading into Cape Town, whilst rival Timmy Hansen, will return to a venue where he clinched the 2019 title in a rather dramatic season-finale in 2019 beating fan-favorite Andreas Bakkerud, by virtue of race wins [countback]. 

The Cape Town double-header will also allow motorsport enthusiasts to see the fastest and most powerful all-electric cars, which push out the equivalent of 680bhp and 880Nm of instant torque.

“I am delighted to announce that we are bringing another World Championship Motorsports event to South Africa. This time none other than the fabulous all-electric World Rallycross, to be staged over two days, at Killarney race circuit," Chairman of World RX of South Africa Iain Banner said. "With drivers like World Champion Johan Kristoffersson and the Hansen brothers, we can look forward to an incredible weekend of World Championship racing. A stunning ‘next up’ after our Formula E Cape Town race in February this year”.

Ticket prices start at R275 and are available from 29th August on Webtickets. Discounted family/group packages are also available. www.webtickets.co.za