Team News: Niclas Grönholm looking to extend World RX championship points lead in Sweden

Niclas Grönholm feels his win last time out in Lousada will allow him to expand his lead at the top of World RX standings at the second round of the championship in Höljes, Sweden. This upcoming event begins on Saturday, July 5th, and ends on Sunday, July 6th. 

The 1.2 kilometre (0.752 mile) Höljes Motorstadion opened in 1976. The circuit, with its famous banked ‘Velodrome’ section has become a World RX favourite since the championship began in 2014. Each year, tens of thousands of World RX fans and party-goers flock to Höljes to experience what is known as ‘Magic Weekend’.  

With nine FIA World RX career victories to his name, Grönholm is eager to make it a tenth in Sweden. This would put him joint-fourth on the championship’s all-time winners list. Nonetheless, the Finn is extremely aware that the weekend-long forecast rain will play its part in the eventual outcome of things. 

"All of us driving in World RX want to win in Höljes - it’s our answer to Rally Monte Carlo or the Monaco Grand Prix!” said Grönholm. "Following our win at the opening round in Lousada, I’m feeling more at home than ever in the CE Dealer Team’s RX1e. 

"The mood is high in the team, and I hope we can translate that into another great result at Höljes. Undoubtedly, I want the win, but I would be happy to settle for points as we have just a maximum of just four rounds left after Sweden. Every point counts."

Regarding the predicted rain, Grönholm - who is managed by the GRX management team - added: "We all know that rain is the great equaliser in motorsport. How we handle that will be key to the outcome, but weather conditions are always changeable in Höljes. I don’t know what will happen. I am not a meteorologist."

After retiring from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2007 with two world titles to his name, GRX Team Manager, Marcus Grönholm, hung up his WRC helmet with 31 victories, making him Finland’s most successful driver in terms of WRC wins. 

The following year, he competed in a handful of events of the FIA European Rallycross Championship. Grönholm Sr. made his 2008 championship debut at Höljes and claimed a dominant victory ahead of 14-time Euro RX title winner, Kenneth Hansen. 

"It would be good to see the Grönholm name back on top at Höljes, but I don’t like to say ‘we will win’ and all of this and that before an event, because nobody knows where they really are. What’s more, Höljes is always unpredictable in every way possible," Grönholm Sr. added. 

"Niclas has all the tools at his disposal for the win, but championships are won and lost on days like these. If we can’t win in Höljes for whatever reason, then it’s better for us to settle for points and look at the big picture in the championship. I know this from first-hand experience."

Niclas Grönholm leads the FIA World RX championship on 28 points ahead of Timmy Hansen on 21. Click here to follow Niclas on Instagram, and here to follow Marcus. 

Sweden RX will begin on Saturday, July 5th and conclude on Sunday, July 6th. The event will be broadcast live on the FIA World Rallycross Championship YouTube channel, which can be accessed here.