Torsby-based team PSRX Volkswagen Sweden are looking forward to this weekend’s FIA World Rallycross round seven on their home soil at Höljes.
Both their drivers, team owner as well as double World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg of Norway, and his Swedish team-mate Johan Kristoffersson, consider Höljes as their home event, although neither of them has yet been able to claim the top step of the podium there.
“You know, Norway and Sweden used to be really close. We were united.”, Solberg says, remembering the history of the two Scandinavian countries.
“With my family half-Swedish, the team based in Sweden and Johan driving alongside me I feel so close to Norway’s nearest neighbour. I love the way this works so well; I love the way we co-operate across the border. It says a lot for what this team is about.”, he added.
The Norwegian’s best result in Sweden was a third-place finish back in 2014; the following year, he retired from the final, while last year he even finished a disappointing fourth in his semi-final, meaning he would go no further.
As for current standings leader Kristoffersson, he hasn’t so far fared much better in the past: last year, the Swede made it to the final for the first time at home, after qualifying on top and finishing a good second in his semi-final, but finished no better than fifth overall, a result he clearly aims at improving this time round.
“I was really disappointed last year,” he said, “but you get over it and start to look forward to the next time you’re going to be in your own backyard. That time has come around again and I couldn’t be more fired up for it.
“To go into my home World RX round leading the championship is a special, special feeling. Right now, the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team is working so well. What Petter says about the co-operation is absolutely true; everybody in this team has just one goal and that’s to win. And winning this weekend would be like a dream come true for me. There will be so many Swedish people there, so many people having so many big parties and I want to be joining in with the singing on Sunday night.”
Despite the absence of defending World Champion and two-time Höljes winner Mattias Ekström, the competition will still be very strong for everyone.
World Rallycross action in Sweden starts this Saturday, 1 July, with the first two qualifying rounds in the afternoon. The remainder of the qualifying phase will take place the following morning, with the televised semi-finals and final on Sunday afternoon.
