KMS team-mates to tackle Rally Sweden

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS stablemates Ole Christian Veiby and Johan Kristoffersson – who combined to deliver Kristoffersson Motorsport a maiden FIA World Rallycross Championship Teams’ title in 2022 – are set to tackle Rally Sweden next month (9-12 February) in the WRC2 category.

Veiby will be behind the wheel of KMS’ Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, with five-time World RX champion Kristoffersson reprising the engineering role he successfully filled last year, when his Norwegian team-mate finished second on the event behind countryman Andreas Mikkelsen. Twelve months on, the Kongsvinger native’s sights are set firmly on victory – a result he previously achieved in 2019.

Following a series of promising test days, Veiby entered Rally Sigdal north-west of Oslo last weekend – triumphing on home soil courtesy of three stage wins out of four alongside co-driver Johan Johansson – and he will similarly contest Rally Elverum, the opening round of the Norwegian Championship, and Rally Lima as winter warm-up acts prior to the main goal of Rally Sweden.

“That was a perfect start to the rally season in ideal conditions,” reflected the 26-year-old, who last year returned to the team with which he began his rallycross journey back in 2014, going on to place fourth in the final World RX standings.

“The roads on Rally Sigdal were nice with a lot of snow, and the car worked well. I tried to break the others a little on the first stage, and this win gives me confidence for the coming events – so far, everything is going according to plan.

“I really feel at home in the Polo. We have a good feeling and it was already close on Rally Sweden last year; it was just a bit of bad luck that meant we didn’t win. It’s important to have good people around you, and with Johan [Kristoffersson] continuing in the role he started last year, we have a perfect set-up. We are going to Umeå to win.”

“Last year, we had a tough match against Andreas Mikkelsen in WRC2, and we expect to be able to fight for victory this year as well,” echoed KMS Team Manager, Tommy Kristoffersson. “We don’t have the resources of a factory team, but we don’t feel inferior in any way. Sure, other makes come out with brand new cars, but we have a few aces up our sleeve as well, because we know our car so well.

“Johan [Kristoffersson] drove the car himself for a whole day during our tests, to gain knowledge about how it behaves. In this way, he knows exactly what Ole Christian is talking about regarding the details. Johan and Ole Christian work together very well and form a very strong combination.”