Johan Kristoffersson in control after day one in Höljes

Typically unpredictable – a phrase that applies as much to the FIA World Rallycross Championship as it does to the Swedish summer weather. The top talents on tarmac and gravel have had to face every conceivable track condition on the first competitive day of action at the Magic Weekend in Höljes, but it’s familiar face Johan Kristofferson with a commanding lead after two of four qualifying sessions.

Both of Kristoffersson’s heats saw him scything into the first corner at the head of the pack – and from there he pulled a steady gap that will leave the KMS driver’s rivals hoping for a change in fortunes, and the weather, for tomorrow to give them a chance to catch up.

Round 1 winner Niclas Grönholm has continued his run of form and sits second in the provisional qualifying standings for CE Dealer Team. Despite being baulked slightly in his first heat, the Finn set the second fastest times in both qualifying sessions, putting him just 10 points behind overnight.

Ole Christian Veiby and Timmy Hansen are tied on points behind the top two, with the pair having been battling in close quarters in the first heat. Veiby had a much more eventful second heat, taking the lead initially as Klara Andersson slid into the gravel in front of him off the start line, before himself spinning on the exit of Turn 1 just a lap later. Despite the setback, his pace was clearly still strong, making him a real contender for tomorrow’s showdown.

Juha Rytkönen is the leading ICE-powered driver. The PGRX driver seems to thrive in these treacherous conditions, and after Q1 was sitting in third overall. A puncture in his second heat has put him on the back foot, but the pace is undoubtedly there. In the other sustainably-fuelled combustion engine car, Patrick O’Donovan has been steadily improving throughout the day, and was right in the mix in his second heat.

With what looked like a short-lived technical issue for Gustav Bergström in the third KMS VW Polo, the four-time World RX podium-scorer could be another one to watch tomorrow having not shown his full potential. His issues were less serious than those for the final contender in the World RX roster, though, as Kevin Hansen was unable to start the second heat with a technical problem giving him a big hill to climb tomorrow.

Despite the weather, the fans were out in force to support the strong contingent of Swedish drivers tomorrow. They’re undoubtedly in for a night of partying on Höljes’ famous ‘Happy Street’ before two more qualifying sessions tomorrow morning will set things up for the semi-finals and ultimately the final.