Kristoffersson puts Polo on the podium at World RX of Great Britain
It was Johan Kristoffersson who put a Polo on the podium at the recent 24-24 May World RX of Great Britain, the fourth round of the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship. The Volkswagen Team Sweden driver cemented his championship-chasing form by finishing in third place at the iconic Lydden Hill circuit.
Top honours
The result follows his maiden win at the first round of the season in Portugal. Kristoffersson now lies in second in the Drivers’ Championship, 29 points behind former world rally ace Petter Solberg, who took the top honours in the UK races in Kent in front of a 15,000-strong crowd. Matias Ekstrom was second.
It was a doubly joyous weekend for Kristoffersson who became a father for the first time on the morning of the second and final day. ‘It’s certainly been an emotional day,’ explained the 21 year-old.
‘I really didn’t expect to be here today. We were 13th position in free practice yesterday because I just couldn’t find the pace. I adjusted my driving style for today and then had a good start in the final but Petter was just so quick! We had a really nice fight but I have to say third position is fantastic for the Championship, so I’m really happy,’ the Swede enthused.
In marked contrast to Kristoffersson’s and Volkswagen Team Sweden’s fortunes, the Swedish Marklund Motorsport outfit failed to qualify for the Supercar semi-final. The Polo RXs of Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinnen, Per-Gunnar Andersson and two-time Global Rallycross Champion and Top Gear US TV presenter Tanner Foust suffered problems and sadly just couldn’t hit the top of the results table.
Round 5 of the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship will be held at the Estering in Germany from 19-21 June.
2015 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP,
DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1 Petter Solberg, Citroën DS3: 112
2 Johan Kristoffersson, Volkswagen Polo WRX: 83
3 Andreas Bakkerud, Ford Fiesta ST: 77
4 Timmy Hansen, Peugeot 208: 63
5 Reinis Nitiss, Ford Fiesta ST: 61
2015 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP,
TEAMS’ CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1 Ford Olsbergs MSE: 138
2 SDRX: 132
3 Team Peugeot-Hansen: 110
4 Marklund Motorsport: 106
5 Volkswagen Team Sweden: 105
