Hansen confident rallycross is moving in right direction

The Hansen dynasty has been synonymous with rallycross for decades. A record-breaking 14-time European title-winner between 1989 and 2008, the 65-year-old patriarch now runs the squad that bears his name, with Hansen Motorsport continuing the spectacular success story – the family-run Götene-based outfit clinching three World Championship Teams’ crowns since 2015.

Having lived through the various ups-and-downs of the sport along the way, Hansen is perfectly-placed to evaluate the current state of play. World RX is taking a two-year break prior to being re-launched under a fresh set of technical regulations in 2028, with cost control one of the FIA’s uppermost objectives for the forthcoming era as the international governing body strives to make the discipline more accessible at every level.

While acknowledging that there is a delicate balance to be struck and a complicated equation to figure out, the ever-pragmatic Swede is confident the correct steps are being taken in preparation for the World Championship’s rebirth.

“The key question is the transition between the old and new cars, which must be very carefully managed,” Hansen is quoted as saying by specialist website, Pure Rallycross. “It is essential to consider the cars that already exist while at the same time clearly proceeding in the future direction, and simultaneously ensuring everybody has a chance to be competitive. 

“If teams are investing in the sport – irrespective of whether they are continuing with their current cars or building new ones – it is vital that they are able to use those cars in multiple championships, national-level series’ included.

“Moving closer to rallying regulations is a good choice, I think, especially if that allows for costs to be cut – it’s imperative that this evolution results in reduced budgets. In my view, it is an approach that should be applied to other categories, too – we have seen in the past how well that kind of model can work.

“It’s far simpler for drivers and teams to join rallycross with an existing rally car base, rather than purchasing a bespoke rallycross car. Back in the Group A or Group N days, it was much easier to find cars – you could start out with a rally car and progressively adapt it to make it more suited to rallycross. That presented a lot more possibilities. 

“I sincerely believe the FIA is putting a lot of thought into every decision and while this is unquestionably a complex situation to resolve, it is certainly resolvable.”