- World Rallycross Championship: Kristoffersson and PSRX Volkswagen Sweden extend their overall lead
- European Rallycross Championship: Marklund defends his championship lead with third place
- TCR International Series: Morbidelli fifth, Vernay concedes overall lead
Unstoppable: Kristoffersson and PSRX Volkswagen Sweden extend their overall lead
Johan Kristoffersson (S) claimed an impressive victory at round six of the World Rallycross Championship in Hell (N). In doing so, he extended his overall lead in the championship. The Swede notched up his second success of the year at the wheel of the 570-hp Volkswagen Polo GTI Supercar. With 151 points to his name after six rounds, he now leads his closest rival Mattias Ekström (Audi/S) by eight points. Kristoffersson’s team-mate Petter Solberg (N) may have had a relatively disappointing home event, failing to make it into the final for the first time this season, but is still third in the overall standings.
“It is fantastic,” said Kristoffersson after the final on the undulating track in Hell. “I cannot say it often enough, but our team is really rather special. The way we work and achieve these results together is really fantastic. That was a tough weekend. The wet conditions were not easy yesterday. However, my Polo GTI was just superb.” After Kristoffersson suffered a set-back with a puncture in the fourth qualifying session, he was simply unstoppable: he followed victory in the semi-final with a dominant win in the final. Even a painful ankle injury, which he sustained on the starting grid on Saturday, could not stop the big Swede.
In the Team Championship, PSRX Volkswagen Sweden now has 285 points and is an impressive 81 points clear of the Peugeot Hansen (204) team. The next race weekend in the World Rallycross Championship will take place at the iconic Höljes circuit in Sweden on 1 and 2 July.
FIA European Rallycross Championship
Marklund maintains championship lead with third place
Anton Marklund (S) achieved a podium result at round five of the FIA European Rallycross Championship in Hell (N) and, in doing so, defended his overall lead in the European championship. The Swede crossed the finish line third at the end of a hard-fought final to score valuable points towards the championship. With four race weekends remaining, Marklund tops the table with 55 points. Second place in the championship is currently occupied by Robin Larsson (Audi/S/44), who was victorious in Hell, followed by Tamas-Pal Kiss (Peugeot/H/43), who was runner-up in the final. In total, three Volkswagen Polo cars progressed to the final race in Hell. Marklund was followed over the line by Alexander Hvaal (N) in fourth and Peter Hedström (S) in fifth. Höljes (S) will host the next race weekend in the European Rallycross Championship on 1 and 2 July.
TCR International Series
Morbidelli fifth, Vernay concedes overall lead
Gianni Mordbidelli (I) was the best-placed Volkswagen driver in fifth place at round five of the TCR International Series at the Salzburgring (A). The Italian, at the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, crossed the finish line just 2.4 seconds behind winner Roberto Colciago (Honda/I). Fellow Volkswagen driver Giacomo Altoè (I) also finished in the top ten in eighth place.
In contrast, it was a disappointing weekend for Jean-Karl Vernay (F), who led the championship coming into round five. The Frenchman from the Leopard Racing team, and his team-mate Robert Huff (GB) both crashed out in race one. The two Golf GTI TCRs were so badly damaged that Vernay and Huff were unable to take their place on the grid for race two. Vernay consequently lost his championship lead to Stefano Comini (Audi/I) and is now third overall, behind Roberto Colciago (Honda/I). The next races in the TCR International Series will take place this weekend (17/18 June) at the Hungaroring (H).
