Its a perfect 10 for unstoppable Kristoffersson in Buxtehude.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media.

The 2018 FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson started off where he ended in Austin, Texas by claiming victory in Buxtehude, Germany.

Kristoffersson made it clear heading into the weekend that he is targeting victory at the Estering, having not taking victory since the series inception back in 2014. The Swede did not have it easy throughout the weekend, but muscled his way to the top, and claimed a record breaking 10th victory of the season in 11 rounds. 

“I can tell you now, the view from the top step of the podium in Buxtehude is a good one!," said Kristoffersson. “At times this weekend I was thinking: “It’s Buxtehude again, I’m still not going to make the podium!”

“But I did it," he adds. "It was a shame that Petter and I were in the same semi-final, but we both made it through and going into that first corner after I came from the joker lap was a little bit like syncronised sliding – that was really good fun."

The final was a mixed affair. In the first Final race, Johan got off to a slow start seeing Andreas Bakkerud take the lead, but the Swede quickly muscled his way into the lead. The race was red flagged on lap 3, after Kevin Hansen crashed. At the restart the Swede had a much better launch and controlled the race from there.

“The final worked well, but I’m really sorry for Petter," said Kristoffersson. "You know last time out in Texas, he was the super-quick guy and he was really on it here again. I think we’re going to see Petter even more determined in South Africa."

The 2018 FIA World RX Teams Champions - PSRX Volkswagen Sweden.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross

Although, Motorsport is driven by numbers, the Swede is not interested in the numbers/records that he continues to set this season. “For me, this sport and this championship’s not about numbers," the Swede says. "Winning 10 races is nice, but that’s something to look back on when I’m old and have grandchildren on my knee to tell them the story about when Grampa was a fast driver!" 

Kristoffersson feels that the teams story is more important then his own: "There are so many people who work so hard behind the scenes and today is for them. To win one FIA world title as a team is an amazing achievement, but to win two in the way we have done is a mark of a group of people who truly are the best in the world. I want to thank you all!” 

Petter Solberg's World RX team clinches second consecutive title, as he returns to form.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media.

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden clinched their second consecutive FIA World Rallycross teams’ title in Buxtehude, Germany. Solberg’s team has faced some of the fiercest and closest competition in the history of rallycross for a second year running.

The team needed 55 points to clinch the title in Germany, and the points were secured after a strong performance in the semi-finals. 

“World champions again! That’s a fantastic thing to say," said Solberg. "We came here with one goal and one objective and we did it. I’m so happy for my team, for Volkswagen Motorsport, for Volkswagen Sweden and all of the partners and sponsors – we achieved this together guys."

The three-time FIA World Champion claimed first place in Q1 and did not have an easy run after that registering third overall in Q2, fifth in Q3 and eighth overall after Q4. 

In semi-final 1, Solberg clinched second by 0.529s behind his team mate Johan Kristoffersson. The Norwegian's upturn in speed returned at the Circuit of the Americas, where he nearly clinched his first win of the season. “On a personal level, I’m so happy that I continued to pick up my speed from Texas," said Solberg. 

The final was red flagged and the race was restarted. Petter got off to the perfect start, but exited Turn 1 in fourth place. He later retired due to an overheating engine. "What happened in the final, when I retired with a technical issue, it’s disappointing, but it doesn’t stop me knowing I have the speed and the fight to be at the front," the Norwegian says. "That’s so important to me."

The PSRX Volkswagen Sweden formed in 2017, claiming eight wins in its debut season. Seven wins for the eventual champion Johan Kristoffersson and one win for team owner Petter Solberg. In 2018, at the first test in Silverstone, PSRX Volkswagen Sweden were not favorites, but Kristoffersson went on to clinch victory at the season opener in Barcelona and has won every single event to date, apart from the World RX of Belgium. 

“We have to celebrate four titles in two years – that’s unbelievable when you think about where we were, with no team and no car just 22 months ago!," he adds. "I am so, so proud of what PSRX Volkswagen Sweden has done."

After celebrating with his team, Solberg will be heading to Rally de Esapaña [WRC of Spain] where he will be driving for Volkswagen Motorsport. “For me, I’m going back to rallying next week. I drive the Polo GTI R5 for Volkswagen Motorsport at Rally de Esapaña in Tarragona," says Solberg. "I go there to enjoy my first rally in six years with no pressure and no expectations."

Solberg sets his sights the top step of the podium in Cape Town, at the season finale: "After that, it’s south to Cape Town for the last race of the season… and I want that one. I really want that win!”

A weekend of thrills and spills for Team Peugeot Total.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross. 

The World RX of Germany served up plenty of drama, with both senior Team Peugeot Total drivers unable to progress beyond the semi-finals, but the teams junior driver Kevin Hansen secured a spot in the finals with his impressive pace. 

Kevin Hansen, progressed through to the Final in Germany, but the young Swede’s race came to an abrupt end when he crashed heavily on lap 3, bringing out a red flag. Conscious and moving, he was then taken to hospital for medical checks. Up to that point, he had put in a brilliant performance to go through to the final.

“Obviously you don’t aim to finish the weekend in hospital, so today [Sunday] didn’t really go according to plan," said Kevin Hansen. "Up to then, things had actually been going really well."

The young Swede showed impress pace in his Peugeot 208 RX, and at times slightly faster then his teammates who were driving the improved 208 RX Evo.

"We were generally fast throughout the weekend, and although we got caught up in traffic a few times, especially at the first corner, our progress was pretty good," says Hansen. "I think we made some good starts; I’m proud of that."

"In the Final, we started on the back of the grid and got up to 3rd. So definitely a case of what might have been today [Sunday].”
                        
Kevin's team mates were unlucky in Germany. After Timmy Hansen won the final qualifying heat (Q4) on Sunday in style, securing a solid top 3 position overall.. Unfortunately, he got caught up in a turn 1 incident and was forced to nurse his car slowly to the finish line.

"I guess you could call it another weekend of highs and lows, except there were more lows than highs," says Timmy Hansen. "But starting on the front row of the Semi-Final, we obviously had the potential to go all the way today, yet it wasn’t to be."

Hansen draws from his experience in the sport. He knows that some times things do not go your way. "When we have disappointing weekends like this – while still being so close to our ultimate goal – it only makes us all the more determined to succeed," said Hansen.

Damage on Timmy Hansen's Peugeot, after all World RX is a contact sport.
PHOTO CREDIT: Peugeot Sport 

Underlining the reputation of rallycross as an unforgiving contact sport, Sébastien Loeb was unable to complete Semi-Final 2, after hitting a barrier trying to overtake a competitor and breaking his front right suspension. 

“The track is quite complicated, because it does not have many overtaking opportunities, which means that it's hard to get out of the traffic," explains Loeb. "We had the potential, but if you’re stuck in the middle of the pack you can’t use it and anything can happen." 

The Peugeot Total 208 RX Evo cars showed impressive straight line speed and traction off the slow corners, but being in the wrong place at the wrong time meant they weren't able to exploit the full potential of their cars.

"The car actually felt good this weekend, but the circumstances worked against us again," the Frenchman says. "But I’m still very motivated to keep working hard with Team Peugeot Total, and I really look forward to what’s coming in the future.”

Niclas Grönholm take fourth place in the World RX of Germany.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

After an eventful World RX of Germany, GRX Taneco's Niclas Grönholm claimed fourth place, while teammate Timur Timerzyanov was disqualified.   . 

Niclas Grönholm banked P5 in Q1. In Q2, he claimed seventh place overall. Meanwhile his teammate, Timur Timerzyanov had a challenging start and ended Q1 in 15th place. The second qualifier got off to a flier but a mistake in the joker lap, saw Timur hit the concrete barrier putting an end to his session. 

“So disappointing after such a good start! I got stuck in the traffic so the joker was the best option.But I hit the wall and damaged the car so that’s it for today [Saturday],” said Timerzyanov.

With a clean slate on Sunday, Timur was ready to make amends for his Q2 error. He won the Q3 heat and was ranked 12th overall. 

The Russian showed incredible pace in Q4 and pulled off a superb overtake on Kevin Eriksson. He moving him up the standings from 19th to 14th overall. However, he was disqualified from Q3 for having accidentally changed his car’s setting, which sent him to the bottom of the table in 20th place. 

GRX Taneco's Timur Timerzyanov
PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

So, despite some great driving, it was a weekend to forget for the Russian. “It’s not what we were hoping for,” said Timerzyanov. "On the first corner, Cyril Raymond and I nudged each other and in my haste to right the car, I accidentally touched a button that changes the settings, which is not allowed. Rules are rules." 

With one round to go, the Russian targets a better result. "I’m just looking forward to the last round of the season. I’ll prepare as best I can to try and get a good result in Cape Town,” he concludes.

Niclas Grönholm’s consistency earned him fourth and sixth place in the qualifying heats, and sixth place overall meant a second-row slot in the semi-final. “Everything has gone well up to now," said Grönholm. "We haven’t had any issues so far, so I’ll apply the same tactics in the semi-final.”

Having negotiated the first corner with the leaders in the semi-final, Niclas dropped a few places and in the end claimed third place. 

The final was red flagged due to an accident involving Kevin Hansen, but, unperturbed, the Finn took fourth place for the third time this season. “Overall, it was a good weekend!," says Grönholm. 

"Qualifying for the final and finishing fourth is a good result, but I admit I was hoping for better. I really wanted to be on the podium this time, but it wasn’t to be. We’ve got one race left to go and I hope I’ll be able to finish the season in style,” he concluded. 

EKS Audi Sport first double podium of 2018 in Germany.

PHOTO CREDIT: Audi Sport 

Mattias Ekström and Andreas Bakkerud in second and third in Germany celebrated the first two podium finishes in a single event for EKS Audi Sport in the 2018 season. 

Ekström only had to admit defeat to World Champion Johan Kristoffersson by 1.849 seconds.

The two EKS Audi Sport drivers created a good base for the final races: On Sunday, Mattias Ekström won the third qualifying session and placed fourth in the intermediate classification while Andreas Bakkerud with consistent performances was in second position. As a result, Bakkerud and Ekström started to the semi-finals on the front row. 

In the final, Andreas Bakkerud claimed an early lead at Turn 1, but later dropped behind Kristoffersson. Bakkerud and Ekström were in second and fourth when the race was stopped due to an accident involving Team Peugeot Total's Kevin Hansen. Following the restart, Mattias Ekström clinched second place ahead of Bakkerud.

“We’re happy about having finished on podium with both Audi cars,” said Ekström. “We’d been hoping for victory and came very close, but not close enough. The competition was very strong once again."

"However, there’s one more race to go. We’re continuing to work hard and fight," he adds. "I believe in this team and we’re going to give our all to close the season in South Africa with a victory and runner-up finish."

Ekström heads to South Africa leading the battle for second in the drivers' championship. There is only 7 points splitting the Swede and fourth place, Petter Solberg. 

REPORT: A thrilling final in Germany sees PSRX Volkswagen Sweden crowned as teams champions.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

The penultimate round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship took place at the Estering in Germany, where record breaking Johan Kristoffersson claimed yet another victory, and his team PSRX Volkswagen Sweden secured the World RX Teams’ Championship.

Four drivers set quickest times in the four qualifiers, and it looked like Team Peugeot Total brought the strongest package to Germany [stronger straight line speed], but it was Kristoffersson who took the overall TQ (top qualifier) in the Intermediate Classification.

The PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver then won the final to claim a 10th victory [8th in a row this season]. While EKS Audi Sport’s Mattias Ekstrom was quickest in Q3 and started on the front row of the grid for the final. He finished second. Andreas Bakkerud joined his teammate on the podium, the Norwegian taking his joker on lap four to secure a double podium for the team.

“It was a really tricky final but first of all I’m very happy that we are Teams’ Champions. I’m very, very happy to win of course but also that I proved the homework that I’ve done really paid off,” said Kristoffersson. “This track is very challenging and there is always hard fighting. The first corner is always crucial, the launches are crucial so I’m very happy to be able to win on this track.”

The battle for second in the drivers' standings is only heating up with one round to go in Cape Town this season. Ekstrom’s second place at the Estering, has strengthened his position in the battle for second in the World RX Drivers’ Championship. “We’re happy about having finished on podium with both Audi cars,” said Ekstrom. “We’d been hoping for victory and came very close, but not close enough. The competition was very strong once again. However, there’s one more race to go. We’re continuing to work hard and fight. I believe in this team and we’re going to give our all to close the season in South Africa with a victory and runner-up finish.”

Andreas Bakkerud has to date secured his sixth podium of the season. “It’s been a crazy weekend as it always is here in Estering. It’s always exciting and there’s always a lot of stuff that’s unpredictable,” he said. “Both myself and Mattias qualified for the front row of semi-final two, he had a fantastic start and beat me in the semi. I was second in the first start of the final then in the restart I managed to stay behind Johan and Mattias and finished third. It’s a great feeling for the whole team that both EKS Audi Sport cars finished on the podium.”

PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

GRX Taneco’s Niclas Gronholm qualified sixth in the Intermediate Classification and finished fourth in the final. While Petter Solberg was quickest in Q1 on Saturday and won the Monster Energy Supercharge Award for having the fastest reaction time at the start of the final. He retired with the technical issue [overheating] on lap five and was classified fifth. 

The final initially had to be stopped and then was re-run when Team Peugeot Total’s Kevin Hansen crashed out on lap 4. Hansen was taken to hospital for precautionary checks and was later discharged. He was classified sixth.

Team STARD’s Janis Baumanis and Olsbergs MSE’s Kevin Eriksson finished fourth in the semi-finals and didn’t progress to the final. Eriksson’s OMSE team mate Robin Larsson finished fifth in semi-final two but Team Peugeot Total’s Sebastien Loeb retired after a racing incident with Eriksson. GC Competition’s Anton Marklund retired from semi-final one after first corner contact. Team Peugeot Total’s Timmy Hansen was later disqualified from the semi-final for the incident. The Swede had earlier set the quickest time in Q4.

GCK’s Guerlain Chicherit was first reserve for the semi-finals in 13th, Sebastien Loeb Racing’s Gregoire Demoustier was 17th, Chicherit’s team mate Liam Doran disqualified after Q1 for accidentally pressing launch control at Turn 1 and was classified 19th, while GRX’s Timur Timeryznov was also disqualified for accidentally changing his cars setting during the race and thus he ended the event 20th.

World RX to race at iconic Spa-Franchorchamps in 2019

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross.

Belgium’s legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps will join the FIA World Rallycross Championship from 2019 in a new five-year deal, with the quickest rallycross drivers on the planet set to tackle one of the most iconic corners in the sport – Eau Rouge.

“We are thrilled to be able to confirm our new agreement with Spa-Francorchamps," said James Taylor, Vice President, Rallycross at IMG. "If you ask any motorsport driver or fan to name their favourite circuits, Spa would be up there every time. Some of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport have won at this iconic venue, from Ayrton Senna to Michael Schumacher and Jim Clark, and now some of rallycross’ finest are set to add their names to that impressive roll call."

The Spa FIA World Rallycross of Benelux date and track layout is due to be revealed later this year. The event will take place on a purpose-built track incorporating Eau Rouge – a fast, challenging corner whose fame has gone down in motorsport folklore.

With today's announcement its quite evident that promoters IMG are aiming to grow the sport internationally, having added Circuit of the Americas (Texas) and the 2019 season opener in Abu Dhabi.  .  

The traditional Rallycross circuits are making way for bigger international venues, which will not go down well with traditionalists, but the rights holders have a bigger picture in mind. Growth and making the event more fan friendly (additional space). Earlier this year, World RX promoters IMG parted ways with RUMESM to host the World RX of Belgium, at the purpose built Mettet circuit. 

“The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is delighted to welcome the Benelux round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship next year," said Nathalie Maillet, CEO, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. "Rallycross is a new discipline for our circuit and fits perfectly with our strategy, which consists of welcoming major new events and new fans, while continuing to nurture our existing ones. It also underscores the international appeal of our circuit and proves that our committed diversification efforts are paying off.”

Team Peugeot Total aim to maximize their full potential at the Estering.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

Team Peugeot Total returns to competition at the penultimate round of the FIA World RX championship this weekend in Germany. The Estering track should suit the Peugeot 208 WRX Evo.

Estering track is fast and contains a lot of variety in terms of speeds and grip, as well as many challenges for the drivers. The circuit is 952 metres long and contains a 60-40% asphalt to gravel split, with the track width varying between 10 and 16 metres.

“Germany is quite challenging. It’s a track where you fly a lot because there’s not much grip at all, either on the asphalt or the gravel, and this makes it particularly tricky," said Loeb. "It’s reasonably narrow but it's interesting."

Sébastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen kept up Peugeot Total’s track record of progressing to the Finals, last time out in the United States. They were classified in 5th and 6th respectively. 

The Estering may not be the Frenchman's favourite track, but he aims to maximize the full potential of his Peugeot 208 RX Evo. "To be honest it’s not my favourite place, but I hope with our latest evolutions that the car will be competitive there and we can get a result," says Loeb. "As usual, the objective will be to have a clean weekend from the very start and avoid running in traffic: this is the real key to success in rallycross."

Loeb's teammate Timmy Hansen really had a tough weekend at the World RX of USA, and has dropped out of contention for second place in the championship after taking a second engine penalty, which sees him 30 points down, from his teammate Loeb. Despite the difficult weekend in the United States, Hansen is ready to go racing. 

"After the weekend in the United States, where it’s very difficult to overtake, Buxtehude will be a bit different; anything can happen," said Timmy Hansen. "I’m looking forward to being there: it’s the sort of place where you throw the car into the corner, get on the throttle, throw up some gravel and enjoy yourself." 

Timmy sets his sights on victory in Germany: "I was second in Germany last year, so it’s clear that there’s only one way to improve!”

After his promising performance in the USA, Timmy's younger brother and Peugeot Total's junior driver Kevin Hansen is eager to join his teammates in the Final once more this season. After securing a place in the final, in the last 2 years Kevin is raring to have another opportunity to prove himself.

"I’ve been in the Final for the last 2 years there, so I really have a good feeling with the place and I hope to do well again now," said Kevin. "Traditional gravel like you have in Germany is much looser, so you have to slide the car more and be quite aggressive with it: that’s great fun!”

GRX Taneco have high hopes and targets a spot in the final.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

Privateer entry, GRX Taneco are entering the final phase of there World Rallycross Championship apprenticeship campaign.

The two Hyundai i20 Supercars’ debuts main focus was always about development and the Finnish team has comfortably fulfilled its expectations by qualifying for the semi-finals every round. 

However, after qualifying for the final on three occasions, culminating in Niclas Grönholm’s fourth place in Latvia, the team is now looking to build on the gains made over the season.

The Estering track is famed for its fast, narrow straights and tight bends. With 60% asphalt/40% dirt track, anything can happen – its one of the shortest tracks at 925 metres in length. The lap record stands at 35.227 seconds, set by Johan Kristoffersson. 

Timur Timerzyanov already has four European Championship and four World RX races at the Estering track under his belt. His best result came in 2014 when he placed seventh in the World Championship round.

"Germany is one of the traditional Rallycross venues. It is an unusual track with very narrow portions and many tight corners," says Timerzyanov. "The team has worked hard to get the cars ready since we returned from the US. We need to score some points this weekend and I am determined to do my best to achieve this."

Grönholm on the other hand will be competing in the World RX of Germany for the third time. Fifth overall in 2017, he will pull out all the stops in his quest for a place on the podium in the penultimate race of the season. "The Estering is a circuit I both love and dread!," says Grönholm.

The Finn highlights the difficulties of the Estering track. "I have always enjoyed driving here, but when there are five cars on the starting line, the narrowness of the track exacerbates the difficulties and the opportunities to overtake are extremely limited," said Grönholm. "On the other hand, it is a circuit where anything can happen which promises lots of thrills for the drivers and the fans."

"I hope to come through the qualifying rounds unscathed as I have my eye on a podium place and I’ll do my utmost to get there."

PREVIEW: The ‘Gloves are off’ in Germany as four drivers battle for the runners-up spot.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIAWorldRallycross.com

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver Johan Kristoffersson clinched his second consecutive drivers’ championship in the USA last time out, and now all sights are firmly turned towards the fight for second in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, as Germany’s Estering welcomes the penultimate round of the 2018 season.

The Buxtehude track is the oldest on the World RX calendar – having hosted international events since 1973 – and while one of the shortest laps on the schedule, it is also one of the fastest with a long downhill run between turns one and two. The 2014 edition witnessed the closest finish in rallycross history, with just five thousandths-of-a-second separating the top two at the chequered flag.

The 2014 round was won by two-time World RX Champion Petter Solberg, who is one of four drivers currently in a tight tussle for the overall runner-up spot. The PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver and team owner – who has two further podium finishes to his credit at the Estering – was on fine form in Texas just over a week ago, topping the intermediate classification, winning his semi-final and only narrowly missing out on victory to team-mate Kristoffersson.

Solberg was similarly Top Qualifier in Germany [Hockenheimring] 12 months ago, meaning the Norwegian is one of the pre-event favourites, while a number of his rivals also have cause to fancy their chances at World RX of Germany.

Last year’s winner Mattias Ekstrom is two points ahead of Solberg in the title table and has been consistent this season. The other two contenders in the fight for second -  Andreas Bakkerud and Sebastien Loeb – have tallied 11 podiums between them this year so can never be discounted, although the Frenchman has yet to reach the final at the Estering. 

Just nine points cover second-placed Ekstrom down to fifth-placed Loeb in the overall standings – setting the stage for a battle royale.

Intriguingly, newly-crowned champion Kristoffersson has never reached the podium in Germany in four previous starts, with the Buxtehude event the only one on the current calendar he has yet to win – and the only one last year in which he didn’t progress through to the final. The Swede will be determined to overturn that trend this weekend – while his adversaries will be eager to capitalise at what could be regarded as the Volkswagen driver’s ‘bogey’ track.

Swedish siblings Timmy and Kevin Hansen – both competing for Team Peugeot Total, the latter as an individual entry – have been evenly-matched in recent rounds, although Timmy has fallen out of contention for the second-place battle due to engine change penalties that he received in Latvia and the USA. Timmy finished second in Germany last year, and will require a similarly big result this time out and a significant slice of bad luck for his rivals if he is to keep his runner-up hopes alive. Younger brother Kevin has made it into the final in both of his previous World RX of Germany starts and will be targeting a hat-trick.

GRX Taneco Team’s Niclas Gronholm finished fifth in the World RX of Germany last season and has been one of the stars of 2018, sitting seventh in the standings, while team-mate and former Euro RX Champion Timur Timerzyanov is keen to conclude the campaign on a high note over the remaining two events.

GC Kompetition will field a three-strong stable of Renault Megane Supercars for the first time in World RX, with team owner Guerlain Chicherit joined by both Liam Doran and Anton Marklund, who debuted for the team in Texas last month. Doran boasts the best record of the trio in Germany, winning there in 2012 on his way to the runner-up spoils in Euro RX.

Two other drivers with excellent form at the Estering are Olsbergs MSE pairing Kevin Eriksson and Robin Larsson. Eriksson produced a spectacular ‘round the outside’ first corner move to snatch his maiden World RX victory there two years ago, while Larsson took the chequered flag third in 2014.

“Germany two years ago was without doubt the best moment of my World RX career to-date. It’s always special to win, but to do so at the absolute pinnacle of the sport and against the very best drivers in the business is an incredible feeling," said Eriksson. "The first corner was the key for me. I had visualised the start in my head so many times, and when it came to it, I swallowed some brave pills and just went for it – and it paid off!"

The 20-strong entry list is completed by Team STARD’s Janis Baumanis, Sebastien Loeb Racing’s Gregoire Demoustier, Briton Oliver Bennett in his unique MINI, home hero Rene Muennich for ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport, Norway’s Kjetil Larsen and reigning RX2 International Series Champion Cyril Raymond.

ENTRY LIST IMAGE CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross.