Hansen brothers eager to attack ‘special season’ in World RX

Multiple title-winning outfit Hansen Motorsport has confirmed its participation in the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2024, as brothers Timmy and Kevin Hansen prepare to tackle a ‘very special season’ with the advent of the intriguing new ‘Battle of Technologies’.

The Swedish squad – the most successful team in rallycross history – has been a World RX stalwart since the series’ inception ten years ago, clinching the Teams’ crown on three occasions, with Timmy Hansen lifting the Drivers’ laurels in 2019.

Led by 14-time European Rallycross Champion Kenneth Hansen and former European S1400 Champion Susann Hansen, the Götene-based operation is intending to capitalise upon its wealth of knowledge and experience as it aims to add at least one more championship trophy to the family mantlepiece this year.

The challenge is new in 2024, with the eagerly-anticipated ‘Battle of Technologies pitting the cutting-edge electric RX1e cars directly against their sustainably-fuelled RX1 combustion counterparts for the first time.

The Hansen siblings will pilot a pair of electric Peugeot 208 RX1e beasts, with which they have collected no fewer than 11 podium finishes over the past two campaigns, as they endeavour to exploit the lessons learned last year to bolster their bid for glory over the coming months.

“This season feels different in many ways, so we’re grateful to have Timmy and Kevin continuing with the team,” commented Kenneth Hansen, Team Principal of Hansen World RX Team. “Many people will have guessed this because we are family, but it is never guaranteed, so we feel lucky to have such strong drivers as the foundation for our team once again.

“Timmy and Kevin have both enjoyed a great start to the year in their other disciplines, and this gives us a lot of confidence as a team going into the World RX season. Just as they have been working hard, so have we back at headquarters. We have turned all the stones we can to find all the small ways to improve as much as possible. We must keep innovating and trying new things – that is how the ‘Battle of Technologies’ has come about.

“With sustainably-fuelled combustion cars lining up on the grid we have an intriguing mix, and for me, it will be very interesting to see how the two different technologies perform throughout the season.”

Both brothers are established winners in international rallycross’ top-flight, with Kevin Hansen – European Champion in 2016 – concluding the 2023 campaign with a third World RX victory that propelled him to a career-best second in the Drivers’ standings.

“It’s great to be confirmed for another season in the FIA World Rallycross Championship with Hansen World RX Team,” enthused the 25-year-old. “Our team has such a strong presence in rallycross, and we’ll be drawing on all our history in the sport to take on this 2024 season.

“Last year was a fantastic learning curve for myself and Timmy in different ways. We work well together and that’s also how we can develop the car in the right way. We require the same things, and we have a very similar language when we talk about the car, so we’ll be looking to push development as much as we can throughout the season.”

Elder brother Timmy Hansen has 13 World RX triumphs on his own CV, although with the last of those dating back almost a year-and-a-half, the Swede – the only driver to have contested every one of the 105 World RX rounds held thus far – is determined to come out-of-the-blocks firing on all cylinders.

“I’m happy to be racing again this season and to keep my streak alive,” he remarked. “To be taking on 2024 with Kevin in our ninth season as team-mates gives us both a great foundation to work with.

“It’s a very special season this year. We’ve had two seasons of new electric technology and now, finally, we get to go up against combustion cars and I think that will be a great show for the fans. Electric will have some strengths, but so will combustion – which will be a lot lighter in the regulations – so it will be very interesting and will for sure make the championship more unpredictable.”

The 2024 World RX action will get underway at Hansen Motorsport’s home circuit of Höljes in Sweden – rallycross’ legendary ‘Magic Weekend’ – on 6-7 July, before travelling to Hungary, Belgium, Portugal and Australia.