Thursday 3 November 2022

Lancia Delta to make World RX debut at Nürburgring finale.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport
Just under a year ago, GCK Motorsport announced that they were working on a new electric rallycross car based upon the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale. At the World RX of Germany next weekend, the iconic ‘hot hatch’ will head into battle – as it joins the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the 2022 season finale.

With six consecutive titles from 1987 to 1992, the Lancia Delta remains the most successful car in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and although the car went out of production 30 years ago, Giorgetto Giugiaro’s compact, angular design still commands admiration.

As a child of the eighties, Guerlain Chicherit, was inspired by the exploits of countryman Didier Auriol. It was only natural, therefore, that the French entrepreneur turned to this emblematic model when he launched his car retrofit business in 2020. 

The Lancia Delta Evo-e "road version" is currently in the final homologation phase in France and will soon go into production.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport
The four wheel-drive Lancia Delta Evo-e RX – was designed and manufactured from the ground up at GCK Performance’s workshop in Issoire in central France. 

Underneath its true-to-original bodywork, the car houses a tubular structure compliant with the safety standards in the FIA 2022 regulations. The chassis alone took more than 1,200 hours to complete.

With 500 kW (680hp) under the bonnet, the car boasts twice the power of a Formula E car and, even more impressive, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds… that’s seven-tenths faster than an F1 car by the same measure! The secret? Four-wheel drive and the combination of two Kreisel Electric motors delivering 250 kW each (the electric drivetrain kit used by all the cars competing in the championship).

Four-time World Freeriding Champion and racer Chicherit – whose most recent World RX start came at the Nürburgring 12 months ago, yielding a fifth-place finish on the second day – will climb into the cockpit for the car’s first competitive debut, using the event as preparation for the 2023 season.

"I am very happy to be back in World RX, a year after my last participation on this same Nürburgring circuit. One thing is certain, our Lancia Delta Evo-e RX will stand out among the modern cars that make up this oh-so-spectacular championship," Chicherit said.

"I would like to congratulate GCK Performance for the fantastic job they have done over the past nine months. The build quality is incredible, as is the level of finish. I think this will impress more than one observer. It will now take us some time to understand the car and improve it in order to make it competitive. I can't wait to be on the track!"

Monday 31 October 2022

RX2e set to introduce 'significant changes' for 2023.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
The FIA RX2e Championship will embark upon a new era in 2023, with the introduction of a number of significant changes to secure its long-term future.

Since debuting on the high-profile World RX package last year, RX2e – a joint venture between Spanish electro-mobility specialist QEV Technologies and Swedish rallycross powerhouse Olsbergs MSE – has attracted no fewer than 32 drivers, producing some spellbinding on-track action and memorable wheel-to-wheel duels.

Up to this point, most cars have been run by QEV, but from season three, RX2e will become a team-based championship, with private outfits able to buy or lease cars and adapt the bodywork while QEV continues as single supplier.

"RX2e started out as an arrive-and-drive concept, with the aim of making cutting-edge electric technology accessible to as many drivers as possible,"  Joan Orús, CEO, QEV Technologies, said. "Now that goal has now been achieved, we are delighted to present our changes for season three, which we are confident will bolster the series’ appeal and reinforce its position as the best category for aspiring professional drivers in rallycross as well as other off-road disciplines."

Performance will also increase from 250kW to 270kW, with a ‘boost’ up to 350kW, while greater technical freedoms are under discussion and competitors will benefit from ten per cent more track time at race weekends than is currently the case.

The series will be awarded a European title from next year, with the 2023 campaign due to feature five races. Each two-car World Championship team will be granted a free entry to RX2e, while the RX2e champion will receive a free entry to World RX the following season, thereby forging a closer relationship with the main series and a clear pathway to the pinnacle of the sport.

"After successfully proving its enormous potential over the past two seasons through a combination of fantastic racing, a competitive and reliable technical package and one of the best cost-to-performance ratios in the sport, it is now time to open RX2e up to private teams, many of whom have already expressed keen interest in taking part," Wlodek Szaniawski, President of the FIA Off-Road Commission, said

"We also feel it is important to strengthen the link between RX2e and World RX, with whom the series shares both the paddock and the spotlight. Klara Andersson has shown this season that the skills she learnt in RX2e have enabled her to quickly adapt to the top level and take the fight to the very best rallycross drivers in the world – and we look forward to seeing many more following in her footsteps in the years to come."

King Kristoffersson crowned five-time World Champion with victory in Catalunya.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Untouchable, incredible, masterful.. are just a few words to describe, Johan Kristoffersson, who clinched his fifth FIA World Rallycross Championship crown – and the first of the series’ new electric era – at World RX of Catalunya yesterday.

Determined after being handed a 3-second time penalty in the final on previous day, Kristoffersson immediately laid down a marker by lapping almost a full second quicker than anybody else in the SuperPole session. He then maintained that pace throughout the heats, with none of his rivals able to match him.

He's dominant run continued in the progression race and the semi-final, where he claimed pole position for the all-important final (inside line), but he had to nail the start. 

The Super Swede launched off the line, and began to pull away from he's nearest pursuer Timmy Hansen, and whilst the Peugeot driver was pushing behind to close the gap. It was Kristoffersson who ultimately took the checkered flag by 5.112 seconds to clinch his 34th career victory, but more importantly a fifth drivers' title. 

"I’m very proud. We started out from scratch with this car. It’s our baby, and so many people have put their whole lives into the project. This is such a team effort, and it’s been a real pleasure to have been a part of that journey," an emotional Kristoffersson said.

"Today, the Volkswagen was flying, and I really enjoyed showing off its pace and potential in the final – that was a lot of fun, pushing flat-out for five laps. I think every driver dreams of having a car like that.

"Five times that things have to be put in the right place to make it work and it has done so. It's also great to win the teams' championship together with Ole Christian. We first started working together in 2013 and I have learnt a lot from him in rally and now we are in my backyard with rallycross."

Timmy admitted that the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver was ‘untouchable’ but nevertheless leaving the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the event’s highest scorer. The 2019 world champion was Kristoffersson’s closest rival all day, and he pipped Ole Christian Veiby to the runner-up spot by just over a second.

"The weekend overall has been amazing, after our win yesterday, second place today is another strong result and I’m super happy about the weekend as a whole," Hansen said.

"Johan Kristoffersson was quite untouchable today and won his fifth World RX title so massive congratulations to him and well deserved. I was second and proud of that, I think it was the maximum I could do today."

For Ole Christian Veiby, third position marked a welcome change of fortunes following a run of bad luck of late due to mechanical issues, which saw him sit out most of Saturday morning. The 1-3 result secured Kristoffersson Motorsport the 2022 World RX Teams’ title.

"Incredible to be a part of this in my first season back in rallycross. And I think I have delivered my bit in achieving this success," the Norwegian said.

In the final, Klara Andersson was only narrowly behind in fourth – advancing to the final for the first time since her podium in Portugal and again showing strong speed as she kept pace with her illustrious and more experienced adversaries.

Her stablemate Niclas Grönholm wound up fifth in the sister Construction Equipment Dealer Team car – the Finn struggled with power steering issues in both the semi-final and final – while Kevin Hansen found himself on the back foot following a contact-induced spin at the start of the first progression race. The Swede proceeded to make a storming start from the outside of the grid in his semi-final, only to get rotated sideways, which ultimately put paid to his hopes of reaching the final.

Gustav Bergström’s challenge similarly ended at the semi-final stage, with René Münnich completing the order in his ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport SEAT Ibiza.

The championship will conclude with the final at the Nurburgring in Germany in two weeks’ time [November 12-13].

FINAL RESULT: World RX of Catalunya

1. Johan Kristoffersson (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 5 laps

2. Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) +5.112s

3. Ole Christian Veiby (Kristoffersson Motorsport) +6.325s

4. Klara Andersson (Construction Equipment Dealer Team) +7.562s

5. Niclas Gronholm (Construction Equipment Dealer Team) +2 laps

Wednesday 26 October 2022

PREVIEW: Kristoffersson on verge of clinching fifth World RX title in Catalunya.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
With a 41-point advantage over his nearest rival, Johan Kristoffersson is aiming to clinch his fifth Drivers’ crown at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona this weekend. 

The Kristoffersson Motorsport driver has triumphed six times out of seven so far this season, and he knows what it takes to tame the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – although 15 months ago, he came off second-best there following a series of thrilling battles with the Hansen brothers.

But for ill-fortune and some strategic errors, Kevin and Timmy Hansen would have at least one win apiece to their name this year, too, and the Swedish siblings produced a superb team effort to keep Johan behind in Catalunya last season with Kevin clinching victory for the Hansen stable.

The Hansen World RX squad are embroiled in a fierce four-way fight for the runner-up spot in the overall standings with Ole Christian Veiby and Niclas Grönholm, with three points separating the quartet.

Although he was out of luck just over two weeks ago in Belgium, Ole Christian Veiby has displayed a strong turn-of-speed on his rallycross return this season – and with four podium appearances to-date, the Norwegian has proved to be a perfect rear-gunner to team-mate Kristoffersson. 

Grönholm, for his part, won at Montalegre and reached the podium at Spa, as the Construction Equipment Dealer Team increasingly establishes itself as a force to be reckoned with.

Gustav Bergström impressed yet again by placing inside the top three on both days in Belgium, while his CE Dealer Team counterpart Klara Andersson also spraying the champagne in Portugal, where she became the first female driver ever to finish on the podium in international rallycross’ top flight.

Completing the field in Barcelona is René Münnich, the German is continuing to improve with age – and it was in Catalunya last season where the ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport driver / team owner advanced to the final for the first time...

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

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

THE CIRCUIT - CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA, BARCELONA.



THE TRACK: 
Well-known for hosting Formula 1 and MotoGP, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya joined the FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar in the series’ second season in 2015, since when it has become a staple of the schedule. Spectators invariably enjoy an incredible view of the action in the stadium section of the famous venue.

Located right next to the famous F1 paddock, the asphalt sections are wide, smooth and fast. From the start-line of the 1,125m rallycross track, competitors tackle a sweeping left-hand Turn One (Turn Ten of the F1 circuit), before an uphill blast on the racetrack leads to the first unsealed area, which comprises a long right-hander and a kink to the left.

A quick-fire right-left-left – which forms the penultimate corner of the F1 circuit – marks the entry to the Joker lap, followed by a long, sweeping left-hand turn incorporating the back straight. The second of the two unsealed areas then has an intricate entry before running through a fast downhill right kink, with a tight left-handed turn leading to the finish line.

TRACK LENGTH: 1.125 m
NO. OF CORNERS: 12 
PREVIOUS WINNERS (2021) - Round 1 Kevin Hansen
SURFACE: 60% Asphalt, 40% Gravel.
JOKER LAP LOSS: 3.2 seconds (approximately)

FORMAT CHANGE:

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

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

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

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

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

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

World RX Entry List - World RX of Catalunya 

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

*The second All-Inkl.com Munnich Motorsport Seat Ibiza RX1e is currently being built.

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Drivers):
Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 131 points
Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 90 pts
Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 89 pts
Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 87 pts
Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) 87 pts
Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 76 pts
Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) 71 pts
Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 62 pts

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Teams):
Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS 220 points
Hansen World RX Team 177 pts
Construction Equipment Dealer Team 158 pts

ROUNDS 9 AND 10 - WORLD RX OF CATALUNYA (CAT TIMES). 

SATURDAY:
PRACTICE: 10:40
SUPERPOLE: 11:30
HEAT 1: 12:45
HEAT 2: 14:15
PROGRESSION RACE: 15:40
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00
GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

SUNDAY:
PRACTICE: 12:05
SUPERPOLE: 12:25
HEAT 1: 13:40
HEAT 2: 15:20
PROGRESSION RACE: 16:40
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 18:00
GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 19:00 [RX+ only]

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

Monday 10 October 2022

Kristoffersson on verge of fifth title after victory at Spa-Francorchamps.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Calm and calculated Kristoffersson has clinched a sixth victory of the season at the Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps yesterday, and has taken a significant step towards a fifth championship.  

After maintaining his unblemished SuperPole record by a tenth-of-a-second from nearest challenger Timmy Hansen, Kristoffersson picked up a puncture in the first heat race. With smoke pouring off his right-rear tyre, the damage got progressively worse as the Swede wrestled his Polo RX1e around the circuit, with the tyre letting go completely on the last lap and ripping the right-rear car door off in the process. And after a stellar repair job by the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS crew, Johan came out on top after a battle with Niclas Grönholm in heat two – which included a thrilling pass in the banked gravel corner – before winning his progression race.

The four-time World Champion subsequently fended off countryman Kevin Hansen in the second semi-final to secure pole position for the all-important final – and following a textbook launch, he was thereafter never headed, racing clear of his pursuers to take the chequered flag by 3.995 seconds. The result has extended his advantage at the top of the title standings to 41 points with only two race weekends remaining – a fact not lost on the four-time world champion.

"You need to be in the right place at the right time, and thankfully, we were," he said. "The team is delivering a perfect car every time we go out and we worked hard on our starts today, because they weren’t the best yesterday. That paid off in the final, and thankfully there was no squeeze into Turn One because the wall there is pretty unforgiving.

"From there, I saw there was some fighting going on behind and once I had established a gap, I could just cruise to the finish while taking care not to get any more punctures. It was a very good race."

"Big thanks to the team for making this possible. It's been hard work. Sometimes we have returned to the paddock almost with only the steering wheel in our hands," he added.

The Construction Equipment Dealer Team has continued to show progress, as Niclas Grönholm claimed second place behind Kristoffersson, but it was noticeable the PWR RX1e machines had stellar starts throughout the weekend.

”It was a tough day, but everything went well from the semi-final and onwards," Grönholm said. "I had good launch, and some great fights in the final. Yesterday we had the pace to challenge for the win, and it was a bummer that I made a mistake in turn one. From there on, it was hard to do anything. Today I played it smart in the first corner and was able to come out in second. Pace-wise, this was the best weekend so far. This is good to build on for the future."

Buoyed by his breakthrough podium finish  on Saturday, Gustav Bergström rebounded from a broken driveshaft in heat one to pull off a gutsy overtaking move on Grönholm in the final, and while he ultimately didn’t have quite enough pace to keep the Finn behind, he nonetheless impressed with another third-place finish.

"Of course I was keen on second spot as well, but I must be satisified with another podium finish," the Kristoffersson Motorsport driver said.

Kevin Hansen wound up fourth after sliding wide in the last corner – finding himself inadvertently clipped by Grönholm in the process – with Ole Christian Veiby classified fifth, he  failed to reach the checkered flag due to coming off worst in a first corner crunch with Bergström and Hansen in turn one that broke his Volkswagen’s steering.

Once more, 2019 world champion Timmy Hansen looked set to take the fight to Kristoffersson, but yet again luck was not on he's side, as he's Peugeot 208 took a knock on the rear in the semi-final which caused the Swede to miss out on a place in the final. 

CE Dealer Team's Klara Andersson was impressive yet again - pulling off some incredible starts, but unfortunately, she too failed to reach the final, whilst All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport's Rene Munnich couldn't quite keep the pace of the cars ahead and finished at the tail end of the field in the Ardennes.

The next stop on the 2022 calendar will be World RX of Catalunya, a weekend that could ultimately decide the drivers' championship should Kristoffersson reign supreme again. Can anyone stop the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver? Time will tell!

ROUND 7 - FINAL RESULT: WORLD RX OF BELGIUM:

1. Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)

2. Niclas Grönholm (Construction Equipment Dealer Team) + 3.995s

3. Gustav Bergström (Kristoffersson Motorsport) + 4.932s

4. Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) + 9.305s

5. Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) + 5 laps

Tuesday 4 October 2022

PREVIEW: The championship fight heats up in the Ardennes.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
The iconic Spa-Francorchamps will welcome the electrifying FIA World Rallycross Championship for rounds six and seven of the current campaign, as the battle for glory heat ups.

Last year’s Spa winner Johan Kristoffersson currently leads the way as he hunts for a fifth World Championship crown, but while the Swede’s record of four victories out of five this season might look daunting for the opposition, the statistics do not tell the full story.

At Montalegre last time out, it was Niclas Grönholm who claimed the Construction Equipment Dealer Team’s breakthrough World RX triumph, as Kristoffersson was penalized for a clash with Timmy Hansen.

The 2019 Champion came off worse in a clash with Johan on the second day in Portugal after taking the lead at the start of the final, while his younger brother overtook the four-time world champion not just once but twice during the course of a single race. 

The Hansen World RX Team could – and arguably should – have won both rounds a fortnight earlier in Rīga too, so they will be motivated indeed to open their victory account for the year in Belgium.

Ole Christian Veiby leads Kevin Hansen in Portugal.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool.
With four podium finishes from five starts since making his return to World RX, Ole Christian Veiby has been getting ever-closer to his Kristoffersson Motorsport team-mate, and with the potent Volkswagen RX1e underneath him, the Norwegian – now up to second in the standings – will undoubtedly be in the mix for silverware again this weekend.

Gustav Bergström has continued to impress with he's lightning launches – and two final appearances to-date demonstrate that he is clearly benefitting from the tutelage of Kristoffersson and Veiby alongside him.

In much the same way, Klara Andersson has been making waves of her own, advancing to the final on her series debut in Hell and racing to an historic podium finish at Montalegre. That result will surely fire her up for a repeat performance at Spa, where she first joined the World Championship package 12 months ago, impressing with a fourth-place finish in RX2e.

René Münnich completes the field in his SEAT Ibiza RX1e. The German – who both runs and drives for the team is getting closeer to the outright pace with every event.

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

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

THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER - JOHAN KRISTOFFERSSON:

"We are carrying lots of points into this event so we are not in a position to take any big risks. The first turn is a bit hazardous, can be risky on the outside and on the inside there is a concrete wall. All our drivers are up to it and the cars are working well. We have now had races with high and low grip, dry and wet surface. We don't seem to have an Achilles heel."

THE CIRCUIT: CIRCUIT SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (BELGIUM)

THE TRACK:

The challenging, purpose-built 913m track located at the heart of the famous Ardennes venue is characterised by significant elevation changes and incorporates one of the most iconic corners in world motorsport, not to mention the ultimate test of bravery – the daunting Eau Rouge.

The spectacular ascent of the Raidillon and its 15% gradient is followed by a tight hairpin bend, before cars hurtle back down towards Eau Rouge. There is also a stadium section that features an extra-wide, banked corner designed to allow drivers to adopt various racing lines. There are parallel jumps in the standard and Joker Laps.

The amphitheatre atmosphere around the circuit offers fans a full view of the action from wherever they are watching.

TRACK LENGTH: 913m

PREVIEW WINNER (2021) - Round 6: Johan Kristoffersson (KYB EKS JC)

FASTEST LAP: Johan Kristoffersson 30.672 (in semi-finals)

ASPHALT/DIRT: 60%/40%

JOKER LAP LOSS: 2s seconds (approximately)

FORMAT CHANGE:

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

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

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

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

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

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

THE 2021 WORLD RX OF BENELUX RESULTS (FINAL)

1) Johan Kristoffersson (KYB EKS JC) 3:10.857

2) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) + 2.601s

3) Krisztián Szabó (GRX-SET World RX Team) + 5.338s

4) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) + 5.663s 

5) Enzo Ide (KYB EKS JC) + 6.119s

6) Anton Marklund (Hedströms Motorsport) + 6.648s

World RX Entry List - Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps 

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

*The second All-Inkl.com Munnich Motorsport Seat Ibiza RX1e is currently being built.

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Drivers):
Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 91 points
Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 70 pts
Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 66 pts
Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 62 pts
Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) 60 pts
Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) 52 pts
Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 50 pts
Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 44 pts

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Teams):
Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS 161 points
Hansen World RX Team 128 pts
Construction Equipment Dealer Team 112 pts

ROUNDS 6 AND 7 - BENELUX WORLD RX OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (CAT TIMES). 

SATURDAY:
PRACTICE: 09:05
SUPERPOLE: 10:30
HEAT 1: 12:10
HEAT 2: 13:40
PROGRESSION RACE: 15:12
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00
GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

SUNDAY:
PRACTICE: 09:05
SUPERPOLE: 09:35
HEAT 1: 11:10
HEAT 2: 13:25
PROGRESSION RACE: 15:05
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00
GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

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

Monday 26 September 2022

Klara Andersson World RX's first permanent female driver "proud to achieve childhood dream."

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Talented, determined, and fast… Klara Andersson has made history this year with the CE Dealer Team, as she became the first ever permanent female driver in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

At the age of seven, Andersson began karting, spending the next six years racing in Sweden, Norway and Italy, during this time multiple regional championships were won, but it wasn’t until 2018 that she switched focus to rallycross.

She then became a member of the Swedish Junior National Team of Motorsport, a programme established to support the most talented national drivers.

In 2019, Klara made a wildcard appearance at the 2019 RallyX Nordic season finale, and finished runner-up in the Junior Rallycross Championship before taking the step up too the senior category in a car built by her father and herself (a rear-wheel-drive BMW 120) where she beat a 50-strong entry list to the title.

Andersson posing with trophies alongside her BMW 120,
PHOTO CREDIT: Klara Andersson (Instagram)
A year later, Andersson tested STARD’s Projekt E car before joining the FIA RX2e championship, where she impressed on debut, claiming a fourth place finish at Spa-Francorchamps.

Having proven her talent and skill, she was invited to the Extreme E rookie test, and was later signed by Xite Energy Racing to compete alongside Oliver Bennett in the 2022 season opener, but after returning a positive COVID-19 test, she was unable to compete.

Whilst that door closed, another opened. The 22-year-old was signed to the Construction Equipment (CE) Dealer Team to partner Niclas Grönholm, who has 64 starts and seven career victories too he’s name. 

Klara impressed with a strong debut at the World RX of Norway (round one), finishing fourth in the final. 

With five rounds now under her belt, she made history last time out in Portugal, as the first female driver ever to reach the podium in top flight international rallycross having claimed a third place finish.

Arriving in Chile, as the championship driver for Extreme E, Andersson had no guarantee that she would compete, but after Jutta Kleinschmidt was hospitalized following a rough landing during Free Practice 2 ahead of the Copper XPrix, she was drafted into the ABT Cupra team for the weekend. 

It was a steep learning curve, but Klara impressed yet again, and in the semi-final pulled off a brilliant overtake on championship regular Sara Price (Chip Ganassi Racing's) to help claim the team's first spot in the final (this season). 

The final was a rough affair, but holding her own, she kept focused and error free crossing the finish line in fifth, but due to penalties for those ahead, the team were promoted to third. 

We caught up with the history-maker….

"I’m the third generation in my family to do motorsport, so it was quite natural for me to be put in a go kart when I was 7 years old, and I immediately fell in love with the feeling of speed," she said. "My family has always been my biggest supporters, and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career."

According to Andersson, her biggest success was claiming the SM (Senior) 2150 – Swedish Rallycross Championship in 2021.

"Winning the Swedish Rallycross Championship was big for me," she says. "The level of Rallycross in Sweden is really high, and to win with my BMW that my dad and I built and have been working on for the last 3 years was amazing."

Having had a successful career too date. If she did not follow the path to motorsport. Where would she have gone? Or what career path would she have followed?

"Motorsport has always been a huge part of my life, so I would want to be involved somehow. But I actually played ice hockey for 10 years growing up before I chose to focus on motorsport when I was 13. So I would probably still be playing if I didn’t make that decision," she tells us.

History was made earlier this year, as the CE Dealer Team signed Klara as one of there two drivers in the all-new electric era of the FIA World Rallycross Championship. What does it mean too be the first permanent female driver in World RX?

"I’m proud to have achieved my childhood dream, to be competing in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Of course it’s honourable to be the first permanent female driver, but to be honest I see myself as a driver competing against other drivers, and don’t see myself as something different. I’ve always competed against men and been respected by them as much as any other driver," she said.

Klara Andersson leading team-mate Niclas Grönholm at the World RX of Portugal.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool.
After all, at just 22 years old, she achieved a major goal on the track, and hopes to inspire younger women to do the same.

"I do however hope that more young girls get involved with motorsport," Andersson says. "It’s one of few sports in the world where men and women can compete on equal terms, which means you compete against the very best drivers, no matter their gender. That’s one thing I love about motorsport, and I’m so thankful that my parents gave me the opportunity to try it."

Early last month, the first-ever electric FIA World Rallycross Championship round was held in Hell, Norway, and Klara was very impressive on debut. So, how would she assess her debut, and what areas does she feel there is room for improvement?

"I’m proud of my and the team’s performance in Norway! It was an emotional weekend for me to do my first race at the highest level of rallycross. We knew it was going to be challenging, but to make the final and perform lap times similar to the top drivers was big for me. This is only the beginning and I’m super excited to continue working with the team and develop as a driver," she said.

"For me I’m focusing on feeling confident in the car and learning as much about it as possible. Taking it step by step and being consistent. I’ve never driven a supercar before, so to get used to the speed is challenging but so much fun!"

Klara Andersson celebrating with the ABT Cupra Extreme E team after a third place finish at the Copper XPrix.
PHOTO CREDIT: ABT Motorsport
Having driven a combination of cars through the years from go-karts, ICE rallycross cars, and electric rallycross cars. How do they compare? And, are they harder to drive?

"I can only compare to my rear-wheel drive BMW 120, which is completely different to my 4wd PWR RX1e! The difference in power and acceleration is huge. For me the biggest difference with electric rallycross cars is the instant torque, but also how the car is built with the motors and how they are placed," she explains. "It’s challenging for both us drivers but also the team, because it’s so new! There is so much to learn, which I’m really excited about."

Andersson competed successfully in a number of different categories/championships in her career thus, but where does she see herself in 5 years?

"My dream and goal has always been to race in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. I also think Extreme E is a great championship, and I’d love to race there in the future," she replied. "In the next 5 years, I’d want to keep driving in the FIA World RX, gathering more experience, exploring different cars and championships, and living my dream!"

You can follow Klara’s adventure in the FIA World Rallycross Championship at the fifth and sixth round of the championship next month (October) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, or follow her on klara_rx (Instagram). 

Monday 19 September 2022

Grönholm claims unexpected win as Kristoffersson is penalized in Portugal.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Four-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristofferson crossed the finish line first in a thrilling finale to the fifth round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship at Montalegre today, but it was not to be as a post-race penalty handed victory to Niclas Grönholm.

On the second day of action in Portugal, the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS drivers' were untouchable in Super Pole, with Kristoffersson leading team-mate Ole Christian Veiby by 0.244 seconds, whilst the pursuing pack were over half a second a drift.

Kristoffersson was peerless throughout the heats topping the intermediate rankings once again, and had a thrilling duel with Kevin Hansen in the progression race. He came out second best to the young Swede. Whilst he's fellow stablemate Gustav Bergstrom failed to make the progression round after arriving too late to the pre-grid area.

In the first semi-final, Niclas Grönholm had a great start from the fifth grid slot, and challenged Kevin Hansen into turn one. Having emerged fractionally ahead of the Finn, who was on the outside. The two made contact, which resulted in damaged rear suspension for Hansen - DNF. 

Semi-final two was not any easier for Timmy Hansen who spun in the joker and finished behind Kristofferson and Veiby. Hansen's pace was enough to secure a place in the finals.

The tension was high in the final, but as we've seen throughout the weekend, the driver starting from the fifth grid spot is always able to carry more speed into turn one, a scene we saw repeated in the final with Timmy Hansen. He fully sent it into turn one and managed to stay ahead of Kristoffersson who slotted in behind (in second). Having shown decent pace on Sunday afternoon, Grönholm opted for an early joker strategy to try and capitalize on the fight ahead.

Timmy Hansen recovering after contact with Kristoffersson into turn one.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
On the second lap, Johan tried an ambitious overtaking maneuver diving on the inside of Timmy Hansen heading into turn one, the pair collided forcing Hansen to run very deep and nearly into the gravel at turn one. From there, the four-time champion keep he's foot down and crossed the finish line first ahead of Niclas. 

However, after the race had finished, the FIA Stewards deemed that Kristoffersson was guilty of pushing, and thus was handed a 10-second time penalty, as a result Grönholm was promoted to victor ahead of Ole Christian Veiby and Klara Andersson in third, who today has became the first female to reach the podium in top flight international rallycross.

"This obviously isn’t the way I like to win and it’s always slightly bittersweet in situations like this," he said. "We struggled in the first four rounds, but today was a bit better and we finally came away with a result."

"I felt good in the car since the progression round. I had a feeling that we could fight for the podium in the final. Our plan from the start was to go as a wild card unless we became the leader. Unfortunately, I didn't get a clean lap the lap before Johan Kristoffersson made his joker. I could have beaten him on the track as well, but I would have been happy with the second place as well."

The FIA Stewards released there reasoning for penalizing Kristoffersson, saying: "Having reviewed the MVRC evidence, the stewards find that Car #1 pushed in the braking zone prior to T1 to the right side near front wheel of Car #21." 

Despite extending the championship lead, Johan made it clear that he disagrees with the FIA's decision: "I don't agree with this decision. If you misjudge a situation and get penalised, that's ok. But I can't understand how they can find me guilty in a situation where he turns in on me."

Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal: FINAL RESULT.

1. Niclas Grönholm (CE Dealer Team

2. Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) +2.853s

3. Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) +4.412s

4. Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) +4.821s 

5. Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) +9.241s (due to time penalty)

Saturday 17 September 2022

Kristoffersson bounces back to claim 31st career victory in Portugal.

The tight turn one squeeze with Johan Kristoffersson on the inside line.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Johan Kristoffersson claimed a four straight win in the FIA World Rallycross Championship at the Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal today – but the Swede had to produce another remarkable fightback to maintain his unbeaten run in 2022.

The four-time world champion kicked off the weekend in style claiming 'Super Pole' by 0.670 seconds ahead of team-mate Ole Christian Veiby, with their nearest rivals - the Hansen brothers' somewhat off the pace due too running experimental set-ups. 

He's pace was exceptional throughout the afternoon claiming both heat wins, as team-mate Veiby brushed the wall in the joker (in heat one) and picked up a puncture sending him into the concrete barriers immediately after the checkered flag. 

The damage to his Volkswagen RX1e ruled the Norwegian out of heat two and the progression race, as the FIA and Kriesel conducted the necessary safety tests. 

From pole position in the first progression race, Johan had a mighty start an lead into turn one where he'd stay for the first few laps, but later picked up a double puncture on the rear axle leading to a DNF. 

After completing the safety inspections, the FIA gave the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS the all-clear for Veiby to participate in the semi-finals. Having felt aggrieved by the earlier situation, he unleashed the raw pace he had show in the early sessions to win he's respective semi-final. 

The Hansen brothers' held pole and second position for the second semi-final, but with an alternate strategy, Kristoffersson lined up on the far right (fifth slot) with an aim to slingshot from the outside in... having taken an early joker lap. He put the hammer down and managed to overtake both of the Peugeot drivers on win the second semi.

Despite some light contact with a fast-starting Kevin Hansen – who tried to sweep around the outside into the lead having starting from 5th place on the grid – the two Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS drivers held their own and led the field at the exit of Turn One, and thereafter they would not be overtaken. 

Kristoffersson took the checkered flag to claim his 31st career victory, a result that would see him further extend his championship lead to 26 points over team-mate Veiby/Timmy Hansen. 

"Absolutely fantastic! This was not the easiest of days for us," Kristoffersson said. "I had a great launch in the semifinal and then I made a super joker lap."

"Both Ole Christian and I had to fight back, which thankfully we managed to do. I was a bit worried after getting the punctures in the progression race, and that was on my mind in the final, so I was trying to play it as safe as I could."

Timmy Hansen rounded out the podium in third after pulling off a superb pass on Gustav Bergstrom, and setting the fastest lap in the final. Younger brother Kevin finished in fourth. 

Kristoffersson Motorsport's Bergström continued to impress with a fifth-place finish, whilst both Construction Equipment Dealer Team drivers, Niclas Grönholm and Klara Andersson missed the final after making contract with each other in the final. 

Can anyone stop Johan Kristoffersson claiming a fifth straight victory come tomorrow afternoon? Time will tell!! 

FINAL RESULT: World RX of Portugal - Round 4.

Wednesday 14 September 2022

PREVIEW: Can anyone stop Kristoffersson's winning streak in Portugal?

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
The FIA World Rallycross Championship is heading back to Montalegre for the second double-header of the season on 17-18 September for the Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal, where Johan Kristoffersson's rivals will look to end he's dominance. 

Last season’s final in Portugal, certainly, will live long in the memory, as a spectacular battle between Kristoffersson and the Hansen brothers opened the door for Niclas Grönholm to sneak through and claim an unexpected victory. The same names are all firmly in the frame again this year – and with two rounds over the course of the weekend.

The statistics suggest that with three wins out of three, the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver has had things all his own way so far in 2022, but the truth is that the Swede has had to dig deep every time, generating some sensational racing as he has fought his way to the front.

The four-time World Champion sped to his maiden World RX triumph at Montalegre in only his fifth start in 2015 – backing that up with a similar success three years later. "It was an incredible feeling when I picked up my first victory in World RX at Montalegre in 2015. It's an awesome track," he said. "You just drive with a smile on your face!" 

Whilst Kristoffersson has led the charge, the opposition has begun to close in, as proved by Kevin Hansen in Lavtia. 

Having lacked pace on the Saturday in Riga, the Hansen World RX Team worked overnight to extract more pace from it's pair of Peugeot 208 RX1e cars, which they were able to achieve. "From the last race in Riga I think we have found a solid direction to take the car, which is really good," Kevin Hansen said.

The Hansen World RX Team might be a bit more confident heading to Portugal, but the reigning champion Kristoffersson has issued a warning: "I feel I have some little extra to give when needed. There were moments in Riga when I got the same feeling as in 2018 and 2020. I could push a little bit more on the laps where I needed to."

Kristoffersson’s team-mates Ole Christian Veiby and Gustav Bergström can also be counted upon to be in the mix, but also never discount the Construction Equipment Dealer Team. Klara Andersson had a difficult weekend Latvia, and will look to replicate her strong performance last seen in Norway. Her team-mate Niclas Grönholm is still chasing his first podium after a difficult start to the season. The multiple race winner has struggled to adapt he's driving style to the new RX1e cars, but the ice cool Finn has the ability to turn things around an surprise many in Portugal. 

The championship definitely isn’t over by any means, but some hard yards will need to be put in if anyone aims to overturn Kristoffersson's dominance.

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

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

THE CIRCUIT - MONTALEGRE TRACK, PORTUGAL.


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

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

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

TRACK LENGTH: 945m
NO. OF CORNERS: 10 
PREVIOUS WINNERS (2021) - Round 7 Niclas Grönholm
SURFACE: 60% Asphalt, 40% Gravel.
JOKER LAP LOSS: 3.5 seconds (approximately)

FORMAT CHANGE:

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

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

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

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

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

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

World RX Entry List - Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal 

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

*The second All-Inkl.com Munnich Motorsport Seat Ibiza RX1e is currently being built.

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Drivers):
Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 60 points
Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 41 pts
Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 41 pts
Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 38 pts
Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) 31 pts
Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 31 pts
Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) 29pts
Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 26 pts

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Teams):
Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS 98 points
Hansen World RX Team 82 pts
Construction Equipment Dealer Team 60 pts

ROUNDS 4 AND 5 - LUSORECURSOS WORLD RX OF PORTUGAL (CAT TIMES). 

SATURDAY:
PRACTICE: 10:05
SUPERPOLE: 11:30
HEAT 1: 13:10
HEAT 2: 14:40
PROGRESSION RACE: 16:10
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 18:00
GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 19:00 [RX+ only]

SUNDAY:
PRACTICE: 10:05
SUPERPOLE: 10:35
HEAT 1: 12:10
HEAT 2: 14:40
PROGRESSION RACE: 16:05
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 18:00
GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 19:00 [RX+ only]

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