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Reigning champion Johan Kristoffersson picked up the place he left off because the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship obtained underway on the “Magic Weekend” in Höljes, Sweden. The six-time world champion dominated in dreadful circumstances to take his second win of the weekend, and his forty second general profession victory.
Niclas Grönholm, who narrowly missed out on a spot within the last on Saturday, took second place in his electrical PWR RX1e. Third place went to fellow KMS – HORSE Powertrain driver Ole Christian Veiby, who overcame a stall firstly of the ultimate to claw his method again to a podium place. Kevin Hansen got here fourth for Hansen World RX Group, with Gustav Bergström and Timmy Hansen rounding out the standings.
Race Experiences
The “Battle of Applied sciences” actually seems to be probably to supply some scintillating racing as we head by means of the 2024 season. Whereas Kristoffersson gained each of his warmth races in his inner combustion engine (ICE) Volkswagen Polo KMS 601 RX, it was electrical energy that introduced victory to Kevin Hansen and Sondre Evjen of their warmth races. Nonetheless, it was Grönholm, the quickest driver in any heats on Saturday’s opening spherical, who sat second behind Kristoffersson within the intermediate standings after the heats.
Because the semi-finals approached, the heavens opened. With a completely sodden observe, visibility for anybody not within the lead turned nigh on not possible. This was not an issue for Kristoffersson, who efficiently launched away in his semi-final and dominated the race, ending an astonishing 12 seconds forward of the competitors. In the meantime, chaos reigned behind him, with all the drivers lacking flip 5 on the primary lap as a result of atrocious circumstances.
2019 world champion Timmy Hansen commented that the moist circumstances favoured the ICE automobiles, explaining that the electrical automobiles struggled underneath braking, largely as a consequence of their added weight. In consequence, for the electrical automobiles it was a case of surviving to proceed to the ultimate. Certainly, 4 out of six automobiles within the last have been electrical, with Klara Andersson, heroine of the primary day of world rx motion, narrowly lacking out on a spot.
Within the last, the rain had stopped however the standing water on the observe led to aquaplaning. Grönholm obtained an amazing launch within the last and regarded like he could possibly problem Kristoffersson for the lead. Nonetheless, the visibility was appalling and the CE Vendor Group driver was quickly affected by aquaplaning points, shedding management of the automotive for temporary moments, simply sufficient to permit Kristoffersson to hurry to victory.
Kristoffersson leaves Sweden on 58 factors, a whopping 22 factors forward of nearest rivals Grönholm and Andersson. CE Vendor Group will probably be very pleased with that begin to the season, with each drivers tied in second.
Driver Response
“I’m so proud immediately,” Kristoffersson enthused. “The circumstances have been extraordinarily difficult, as have been the launches. I had a bit bit an excessive amount of wheelspin within the last, however I managed to calm myself down and obtained an excellent exit coming off the asphalt onto the gravel which enabled me to come back again at Niclas. This automotive is a dream to drive within the rain. I’m very completely satisfied.“
Timmy Hansen was enthusiastic in regards to the championship, regardless of a disappointing weekend for himself. “I believe the ‘Battle of Applied sciences’ turned out to be tremendous thrilling” the Swedish driver defined. “There have been undoubtedly strengths on each side and the races have been shut. We didn’t actually have the efficiency this weekend, however I believe nonetheless we obtained the utmost factors that we might have. Loads of work to be completed, particularly round attending to know the new tyres, and round how you can get extra efficiency out of our bundle.”
“It was a irritating weekend for us” admitted his brother and teammate Kevin Hansen. “We have been trying actually good for a podium however simply struggled a bit with the automotive within the moist. We weren’t capable of maintain it by means of the entire race. I made a small mistake within the last which I believe misplaced me third place immediately, however we attempt to bounce again from that. We didn’t count on this to be our strongest observe, we’d like some longer straights for the electrical automobiles to indicate their energy and torque. I’m actually trying ahead to Hungary. It’s an amazing observe, just like the Monaco of rallycross with fast and slender sections, and I can’t await us to convey the ‘Battle of Applied sciences’ there.”
Klara Andersson is passionate about her efficiency up to now within the season. “It has been a enjoyable, rewarding and educative season opener. I’m extremely pleased with yesterday” she enthused, talking of her second-place end in spherical one. “I’ve by no means felt this robust on this planet championship. The whole lot simply got here collectively within the automotive and I felt fast proper from the primary observe. I lacked a little bit of expertise within the moist immediately to be able to combat for the highest. However I’m nonetheless happy general and particularly over the workforce’s efficiency. It seems to be like we’re in for a really powerful and thrilling season.”
Niclas Grönholm was slightly extra laconic in his summing up of the weekend. “At present’s second place was the very best we might want for, no likelihood to combat for the win,” conceded the Finnish driver, “so I’m pleased with the factors. We’re a bit bit on the backfoot within the factors now, but it surely’s early days and we’ll attempt to shut that hole step-by-step.”
Up Subsequent
The 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship heads to the legendary “Purple Cauldron” that’s Nyirád in Hungary on 27/28 July.
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