CAMPEONATO MUNDO RALICROSS - VOLKSWAGEN NA SUÉCIA
Segunda, 02 Julho 2018 17:09 | Actualizado em Quinta, 30 Janeiro 2025 08:37
Johan and Petter put the Magic in PSRX Volkswagen Sweden’s Weekend
- Champ Johan wins his fifth World RX round from six starts
- Third successive maximum score moves Johan 40 points clear
- Heartbreaker for Petter who retires from the lead of his semi-final
- PSRX Volkswagen Sweden lead teams’ standings by 45 points
The Magic Weekend. A Saturday and Sunday like no other in Sweden; a
weekend when 103,200 feet dance the days into the night and the night
into the late night.
There’s always magic at World RX of Sweden, but when a Swedish driver in
a PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Polo R Supercar wins, the magic moves to
another level. Johan Kristoffersson put 51,600 fans under his spell as
he delivered the perfect drive at the perfect track, waving his wand
over Höljes to turn his Sunday special for the fifth time this year.
Johan began his home race the same way he finished World RX of Sweden
three weeks ago: fastest. The defending champion was on sublime form to
scorch through a scorching Swedish Saturday at the top of the table.
Not since Timmy Hansen won second qualifying at World RX of Great
Britain on May 26 has Johan lost a session of World Rallycross. But if
there was one man who could stop him, it was his three-time World
Champion team-mate Petter Solberg. And Hollywood did just that on Sunday
morning, turning in a perfect session to edge Johan and win Q3.
The pair of PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Polo R Supercars were unbeatable
through qualifying and moved into the semi-finals first (Johan) and
second (Petter), ensuring them of the perfect approach for Sunday
afternoon’s action.
Johan won from pole position in the first semi and Petter was on for an
identical result in the second race when his Polo suffered a technical
problem, forcing him out for the rest of the weekend.
And the final? Johan did what Johan does. He won and he won in fine
style with some more lights-to-flag brilliance. Five from six for the
king of Sweden.
Driver Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 O/A SF F
Johan Kristoffersson 1 1 3 1 1 1 1
Petter Solberg 6 2 1 2 2 DNF -
Johan Kristoffersson (SWE) #1
“There’s nothing quite like racing at home – except for winning at home.
When I won my home round for the first time last year, I knew I would
never forget that feeling and I really wanted it to come back again
today.
“You definitely get a real boost from the fans in the grandstand – even
if a few of them might have been cheering for some of the other Swedes
around here! I love this track and these fans. And I love this team –
it’s their home race, so a win is special for them too.
“I didn’t feel the car was completely perfect for me on Saturday, but as
the second day progressed it just got better and better. In the semi,
it was absolutely perfect. I felt so comfortable, I could just push and
push and really work the car. In the final I would say the tyres were
probably a little bit hot towards the end of the race, but by then I had
been able to just keep inching forwards and away from the chasing pack.
“I got a really nice start, the launch hooked up and we flew off the
line and into the lead. That got me the Monster Super Charge Award, I’m
happy with that – my first since France last year! From then on I was
just completely focused on every apex to make it happen and to build a
lead. I did that.
“I’m so happy with another win and so happy for the team – but I want to
say I am sorry for Petter. I missed my team-mate, he should have been
along side me on the front row. But for me this is another 30 points and
another really strong result for the championship.”
Petter Solberg (NOR) #11
“I have been disappointed before in my career, but I don’t know if I can
remember a time when I am more disappointed than this. This one really
hurt so bad.
“I had the race in my hand, we were going directly to the final where I wanted a win. I wanted it so much.
“Coming out of one corner, something wasn’t right with the car, I pulled
over and that was the end. There’s nothing more to say.”
Pernilla Solberg (PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team principal)
“Firstly, we have to be so, so proud of what Johan has achieved today.
Another win at home, another maximum score, another fastest lap and, of
course, another win to boost his lead in the championship.
“To do this in front of his home fans at the team and his own home race
is very, very special. He drove so well, he deserved this one.
“At the same time, I think we’re all quite sad for Petter. He gave this
weekend absolutely everything. He was the only guy able to beat Johan
and he’s leaving the track without anything in his pocket. That’s so, so
tough for him and really not what he deserved after what he’s given the
team.
“We’re into the mid-season break now. We have five weeks before we start
the second half of the year in Canada and we will be using that break
to work more with the car. I know Volkswagen Motorsport has some small
upgrades coming and, of course, we’re going to be working flat-out on
our strategy for the next six races.
“We have laid the foundations for an incredible season, now we have to
build those into something beautiful in the second half of the year.”
Volkswagen R performance fact of the weekend:
The PSRX Volkswagen Sweden drivers’ reaction times were so close in
qualifying; the difference between Petter and Johan was half the time it
takes to blink!
Result:
1 Johan Kristoffersson 4m14.969s
2 Andreas Bakkerud 4m17.946s
3 Jerome Grosset-Janin 4m20.925s
4 Timmy Hansen DNF
5 Kevin Hansen DNF
6 Mattias Ekström 4m19.238s
Drivers’ championship positions:
1 Kristoffersson 165pts
2 Bakkerud 125pts
3 Solberg 119pts
4 Loeb 117pts
5 Timmy Hansen 116pts
6 Ekström 114pts
Teams’ championship positions:
1 PSRX Volkswagen Sweden 284pts
2 EKS Audi Sport 239pts
3 Team Peugeot Total 233pts
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