0-100 in the blink of an eye

The FIA World Rallycross Championship will reach a milestone in Hell this weekend (17-18 June), as World RX of Norway plays host to the all-action, edge-of-the-seat series’ 100^th round – with a fabulous feast of electrifying entertainment in prospect.

World RX was founded in 2014, building upon the success of the popular FIA European Rallycross Championship, which had been captivating crowds across the continent for the best part of four decades.

Over its nine-year existence to-date, the World Championship has attracted some of the biggest stars in the sport, from Petter Solberg, Mattias Ekström, Johan Kristoffersson and Timmy Hansen – all of whom went on to clinch the coveted crown – to late Gymkhana hero Ken Block, 1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, nine-time FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb and even multiple Olympic Games cycling gold medallist, Sir Chris Hoy.

Kristoffersson and Hansen are still very much at the forefront of the fight for honours this year, competing respectively for Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS and Hansen World RX Team. The former is chasing an extraordinary sixth career title at the highest level; the latter – champion in 2019 – is firmly focussed on stopping his compatriot in his tracks.

The pair head to Hell having experienced varying fortunes in the Portuguese opener earlier this month, with Kristoffersson notching up a 36^th career triumph but Hansen finding himself eliminated at the semi-final stage following a spin and subsequent contact.

WRC record man Loeb is also in the mix, after returning to rallycross this season behind the wheel of Special ONE Racing’s striking Lancia Delta Evo-e RX, a retrofitted model channelling the spirit of the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale and sporting an evocative 1980s-inspired livery.

In evidence of its commitment to fostering diversity and sustainability in the sport, World RX was delighted to welcome Klara Andersson to the fray last year, as the Swede became the first permanent female competitor since the series’ inception. Not only that, but she advanced to the final on her debut in Hell, beating – amongst others – CE Dealer Team stablemate Niclas Grönholm, a multiple event-winner.

Her reward was a long-term contract with the team, and on the basis of her impressive performance in the Montalegre curtain-raiser, a second podium to add to her historic top three finish in Portugal last year can certainly not be ruled out.

Similarly looking to challenge will be Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) – runner-up in Norway in 2019 – two-time DTM Champion Timo Scheider (ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport), back following a season’s absence from the grid, and home hero Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS), who will surely receive the lion’s share of fans’ support.

So the scene is set. Last summer, World RX launched its new electric era in Hell with a sensational sporting show. Ten months on, the most spectacular and exciting cars on the planet are ready to light up Lånkebanen once more...

The weekend will get underway with official practice at 09:00 CET on Saturday (17 June), followed by the heat races, semi-finals and all-important finals. All of the action will be broadcast live on RX+. Monthly and annual subscriptions can be purchased here, while race weekend tickets are available to buy on the gate.

Entry lists and the full event timetable can be found here.