Öhman: ‘Amazing’ feeling to reach Euro RX1 rostrum

Öhman has attained legendary status in the sport – and with good reason. Having been paralysed from the waist down by a back-breaking snowmobile accident in 1998, he drives using a unique, sophisticated hand control system, which can put him at a disadvantage to his rivals at the start of races, when reaction times are critical. At Finland’s KymiRing, he did not let that hold him back.

Making only his third appearance in his current Volkswagen Polo – having switched to the 4WD, 600bhp beast for this season – Öhman began the weekend in promising fashion, lapping inside the top three during free practice amongst the 12 high-calibre Euro RX1 protagonists, prior to confirming that strong form by placing fourth in heat one.

Problems with the launch procedure – including a stall in heat four – left him playing catch-up in his subsequent qualifying races, but his raw speed was plain to see as he determinedly battled back into the mix. In the semi-final, the oldest driver in the field then exploited his substantial experience to scythe from fifth to first in tricky wet conditions, despite running wide in Turn One, to secure himself a front row berth for the eagerly-anticipated final. 

The rain intensified ahead of the weekend’s most important race, and while Öhman initially dropped down the order, he once again unleashed a combination of great pace and clever racecraft to fight his way into contention, keeping his cool as several of his rivals came unstuck.

After taking the chequered flag third, a penalty for countryman Martin Enlund due to contact elevated the JC Raceteknik ace to the runner-up spoils, with the entire paddock united in its delight for his phenomenal achievement and maiden European Championship podium.

“I’m very happy,” Öhman acknowledged. “There was a lot of luck involved in the semi-final and final, but we also had our own bad luck after problems with the starts and not being able to make the most of our pace, so you win some and you lose some.

“The launch only really worked right in the final, which was a crazy race, but I had a very good car run by a very good team, who worked really hard throughout and who I need to thank for all of their support. I was very pleased with the speed we showed when things went well, and it was special to have my family with me. It was an amazing weekend.”

“Mats is not just a driver with us, he is a massive part of this team – more so perhaps than people on the outside will ever know,” added JC Raceteknik Team Principal, Joel Christoffersson. “We are all so proud of him for getting this result. The pace was really good all weekend, but we had a few unexpected problems with the launch procedure so Mats was due some luck, and in the semi-final and final, things went more his way.

“But it was not down to luck that he got the results he did. Many drivers made mistakes in very, very difficult conditions and Mats managed really good pace alongside keeping it all together. I must also point out how little racing he has done recently compared to everyone else, which makes it even more impressive. I honestly couldn’t be happier for him.”