Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo RX1e) is on top of the ranking after three heats in the final round of the 2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship at the Nürburgring in Germany. Jan Černý (Škoda Citigo) is leading in the the Euro RX3 category after having set fastest time in the three heats.
Nine drivers, in the RX1e category, were allowed to take the start on Saturday morning in the final event of the 2022 series, which is run as a single header event. Nine, meaning one more than in the previous rounds. Responsible for this was Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (Lancia Delta Evo-e RX) who, after having announced his plans about a year ago, debuted his new Lancia Delta Evo-e RX. Further change in the drivers line-up was Sweden’s Anton Marklund (SEAT Ibiza), the 2022 European Rallycross Champion, who was sitting in for René Münnich and racing the SEAT Ibiza of ALL-INCL.COM Münnich Motorsport.
Despite Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo RX1e) was already crowned World champion in the previous round the battle for the runner-up positions is still open and to be decided this weekend. Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208 RX1e), who is currently second in the championship, was fastest in the Saturday morning practice, ahead of Kristoffersson. Afterwards in the SuperPole, that is run in reverse order of the championship standings, Kevin Hansen (Peugeot 208 RX1e) was in the lead with two more drivers to come. First was older brother Timmy [Hansen] who improved the time but then Kristoffersson outperformed the rest of the field with his fastest time. For the Swede it was his tenth SuperPole win out of ten.
In the first heat Kristoffersson set the fastest time with Timmy Hansen second. New add Guerlain Chicherit was battling it out with Kevin Hansen in the first heat race and after contact with the wall damaging the front and rear suspension the Frenchman was forced to record a DNF. It also pulled him out of the second and third heat however he got the permission of the Stewards to start in the last position of the Progression race. Kevin Hansen drove to the fastest time in the second heat. In the third heat it was again ‘Kristoffersson time’ after he received in heat two a time penalty from the Stewards of the Meeting for ‘cutting the corner’. He was quickest ahead of Timmy Hansen and Klara Anderson (PWR Hyundai RX1e). In the ranking Kristoffersson is going into the Progression races as leader with the Hansen brothers second and third.
Alongside World RX also the final event in the FIA European Rallycross Championship for RX3 cars is taking place this weekend. Similar as in World RX the champion, Kobe Pauwels (Audi A1), was also crowned in the penultimate event with the battle for the runner-up positions still open. Jan Černý (Škoda Citigo) won all of his heat races today and set fastest times in all of the three heats. Therefore he is on top of the ranking going into the second day tomorrow. Second place is for newcomer Jens Hvaal (Škoda Fabia Mk3) who set second fastest time in the first and second heat. Champion Kobe Pauwels sits in third overnight.
The event continues tomorrow Sunday at noon with a warm-up session followed by the progression races, the semi-finals and finals for both categories.
Results
RX1e (after three heats): 1. Johan Kristoffersson (S), 140; 2. Timmy Hansen (S), 132; 3. Kevin Hansen (S), 129; 4. Ole Christian Veiby (N), 121; 5. Klara Andersson (S), 118; 6. Niclas Grönholm (FIN), 113; etc.
Euro RX3 (after three heats): 1. Jan Černý (CZ), 150; 2. Jens Hvaal (N), 132; 3. Kobe Pauwels (B), 120; 4. João Ribeiro (P), 118; 5. Damian Litwinowicz (PL), 117; 6. Nuno Miguel Da Costa Araújo (P), 116; etc.