Höljes hero Røsrud revving up for full season of Euro RX3 action

Røsrud stunned on his international debut during Höljes’ ‘Magic Weekend’ last summer, making light of torrential conditions to set the pace in three of the four heats in the high-calibre, 15-strong Euro RX3 field – duly and deservedly earning himself Top Qualifier honours.

The fact that he had never previously raced around the legendary Värmland circuit made the talented young Norwegian’s display all the more remarkable, but a fairytale ending was scuppered at the semi-final stage, when a collision with André Sousa incurred a black flag penalty and disqualification, ruling him out of the final. 

“I definitely didn’t expect to produce that kind of performance,” humbly reflected the Hurdal native, who proceeded to add the Norwegian Rallycross Championship’s Super1600 category crown to his burgeoning career CV later on in 2025 – his third title in as many years, having only begun competing in 2020. Behind the wheel of the same Škoda Fabia with which he stole the show in Sweden, victory in all five rounds bore witness to a truly commanding campaign on home soil. 

“I had ambitions at Höljes, of course, but the main objective was to see where we stood in relation to the other drivers as we were already planning to enter a full season in Euro RX3 in 2026. It was also a big jump from competing in the domestic series, so being so far up the order, especially in such awful weather, was a big surprise for me – it was amazing!

“I was very conscious of not getting too cocky after going fastest in Q1, and I was careful to keep my feet on the ground and stay focused on the job in-hand. Obviously I was disappointed not to reach the final, but the weekend was always much more about our performance than the end result, and I also really enjoyed everything else that makes up a European Championship event, like meeting so many rallycross fans during the autograph session – that was a lot of fun.”

Indeed, the experience clearly left a lasting impression on the rising star, as Røsrud will now embark upon a full campaign in Euro RX3 in 2026. Despite the fact that five of the six venues on the calendar will be uncharted territory for him, he has already ably demonstrated that new circuits hold no fear and is champing at the bit to return to the fray. 

“I’ve been driving some of the tracks on the simulator since I was a kid, so it will be super exciting to get the chance to race on them for real!” the 20-year-old enthused. “We will prepare as thoroughly as we can as I’m under no illusions about how tough the opposition is likely to be, with a lot of quick drivers in the field, but my goal is definitely to achieve at least one podium finish. I can’t wait to get out there!”

Following the curtain-raising contest in the Latvian capital of Rīga on 9-10 May, competitors will do battle at Nyirád in Hungary (30-31 May), Höljes in Sweden (4-5 July), Mondello Park in Ireland (18-19 July), Lohéac in France (29-30 August) and finally Lousada in Portugal, where champions will be crowned on 12-13 September.