Bakkerud promises ‘a hell of a show’ on Euro RX return

With the FIA World Rallycross Championship taking a brief hiatus prior to roaring back into life bigger and better than ever in 2028, over the next two seasons, Euro RX1 will represent the discipline’s top-tier. Bakkerud first conquered the category in 2021, and behind the wheel of the same Ford Fiesta with which Anton Marklund swept to title glory two years later, he is aiming to do so again. 

“The Fiesta is an iconic car,” acknowledged the former World Championship runner-up. “I previously raced an Olsbergs MSE version, but now we have bought an M-Sport model. I remember the first time I saw it, in 2014 in Hell in Norway, when Ken [Block] finished on the podium. Out-of-the-box, it was a very strong car that never really showed its true potential in World RX. 

“Obviously Anton [Marklund] won Euro RX1 in it in 2023, and Lukas Andersson and Joni Turpeinen both showed great pace in the Fiesta this year. We definitely have a very strong package, particularly in terms of traction, the engine and race starts. I think that’s where our advantage lies.”

When Bakkerud says ‘we’, he is referring to Bergen Motorsport Evolution, the team that he established less than 12 months ago with the support of Norwegian holding company Tertnes Holding, and with whom he successfully campaigned a Ford Puma on the domestic scene in 2025. He is confident that experience will prove to be a boon when he rejoins the Euro RX1 grid for the first time in almost three years.

“I’ve learned so much from competing in the Norwegian Championship, and we will keep on learning!” the 34-year-old reflected. “I knew it took a lot of effort to run a team, putting together a bunch of people who hadn’t worked together before, but the amount of stuff you need to think about is absolutely insane! 

“I’ve learned that things take time and that it’s a big hustle, but equally, it’s a lot of fun. Turning Bergen Motorsport Evolution from a hobby team into a professional team will be the biggest step for us, but hopefully by midway through next season, we will be in a good flow.” 

Bakkerud makes no attempt to conceal the fact that his ultimate objective remains the acquisition of the coveted FIA World Rallycross Championship crown – a trophy he came oh-so close to clinching in Cape Town in 2019. Like World RX ‘GOAT’ Johan Kristoffersson, he also believes the direction recently taken by the sport’s governing body will reap rich rewards in the long run.

“The World Championship has obviously been a little bit up-and-down over the years, but the new regulations and the rumours I’ve heard about the European Championship calendar for next season look really promising – a little bit back to the roots and what the fans want to see,” mused the Bergen native.

“I really feel the FIA as the new promoter is doing a very good and steady job to set the championship on a great path, and I hope all the teams and drivers will pull in the same direction. Announcing my 2026 deal so early makes a big statement and will hopefully help the sport in general, by encouraging others to jump on-board and do the same thing.

“I know there are a lot of drivers and teams out there keen to race, so it would be awesome to see a packed European Championship field to prove that the world needs rallycross. We’re going to put on a hell of a show next year – I promise it will be action-packed from day one!”