Star-studded entry lists revealed for Höljes’ ‘Magic Weekend’

The World RX, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 entry lists have been published for World RX of Sweden at Höljes next month (1-2 July), with a host of high-profile names poised to duel doorhandle-to-doorhandle for glory during the legendary ‘Magic Weekend’.

Following a sensational season curtain-raiser in Portugal last weekend, the headlining, all-electric World Championship will stop off in Sweden for the third round of its 2023 campaign.

Five-time world champion Johan Kristoffersson set the pace at Montalegre as he targets a sixth career crown, but his rivals – including 2019 title-winner Timmy Hansen, rising Swedish star Klara Andersson and FIA World Rally Championship record man Sébastien Loeb in the evocative Lancia Delta – are already redoubling their efforts to fight back.

No fewer than 24 drivers have signed up to contest the fourth round of the Euro RX1 season, with leading protagonists Jānis Baumanis, Enzo Ide, Anton Marklund, René Münnich and Patrick O’Donovan ready to renew battle in the depth of the Värmland forests.

There are, however, a few notable ‘wild cards’ in the pack, including local specialist Linus Östlund – who arguably knows the circuit better than anyone – as well as a three-car line-up from JC Raceteknik for former European Champions Andreas Bakkerud and Robin Larsson and fellow crowd favourite Mats Öhman.

In Euro RX3, finally, while Volland Racing’s Damian Litwinowicz has cleaned up so far in 2023 – chased home in both outings to-date by team-mate Espen Isaksætre – the likes of Balázs Körmöczi, Martin Kjær and Jens Hvaal have each shown that on their day, they can threaten the all-conquering Audis, and at Höljes, a surprise result is never out of the question.

The full entry lists are below, with RX2e due to be published at a later date.