That made it difficult to compile a shortlist
of only ten ‘Hoosier Highlight’ moments – so many were there to choose from –
and even more challenging for you, as fans, to select the very best. But we
have two winners – and they are both from the same race.
If you were to distil the essence and the
thrill of rallycross into one five-lap bout, heat two’s second contest on the
Saturday at Istanbul Park Circuit would be a strong contender, with KMS - HORSE
Powertrain Team Principal Tommy Kristoffersson describing it as the ‘best race
for a long time’ and ‘a textbook example’ of what the sport has to offer.
Away from the line, the Hansen brothers and
Niclas Grönholm exploited their electric power and instant torque to restrict champion-elect
Johan Kristoffersson to fourth in his sustainably-fuelled, internal combustion-engined
VW Polo, with the KMS star subsequently following countryman Kevin Hansen into
the joker at the first opportunity.
After the pair swapped places next time around,
Kristoffersson then set his sights on Grönholm in second, with Timmy Hansen –
the only driver in the field still to joker – up the road in the lead. The
Swede took his own joker on lap three, dramatically rejoining just in
front of his two duelling adversaries.
What ensued was reminiscent of World RX’s epic
Bosphorus battle from back in 2015, and once again, it was Timmy Hansen who
emerged ahead, narrowly fending off Kristoffersson after the Volkswagen driver
had fought his way past CE Dealer Team by Volvo Construction Equipment rival
Grönholm.
That was sufficient to secure 2019 world
champion Hansen ‘Hoosier Highlight’ number one – but Kristoffersson wasn’t done
yet. Far from it. The 35-year-old did not need to win the race to clinch an
unprecedented seventh career crown at rallycross’ highest level. All he needed
to do was finish ahead of Kevin Hansen – struggling further back in the pack –
to seal the deal. But that is not how Johan Kristoffersson is wired.
After spending several corners sizing up Timmy
Hansen’s Peugeot 208 RX1e, he took a wide line entering the left-hander at Turn
Five on the penultimate tour, which enabled him to snatch the undercut on the exit,
and once in the lead, he never looked back.
His reward was a seventh Drivers’ title at the
international pinnacle of the dual-surface discipline – and ‘Hoosier Highlight’
number two. Fittingly, the elder Hansen brother – so often a thorn in
Kristoffersson’s side – was the first to congratulate his compatriot.
“It was tight against Niclas and Timmy – really
fun racing with a lot of great battles,” the Arvika native enthused. “What a
race to secure the championship – simply unbelievable!”
Japan
Poland
Turkey