Johan Kristoffersson has hit the ground running as he currently holds the overnight lead of round two of the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship, the 2017 World RX of Portugal.
PSRX Volkswagen Team Sweden driver Kristoffersson missed out on victory at the World RX of Spain due to a bogged down start in the Supercar Final, however he currently leads the Qualifying standings after the end of the first days action where he went fastest in both Q1 and Q2.
Sebastien Loeb has shown better pace in Portugal. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
To add to the pace of the Volkswagen Polo’s in Portugal, team-mate Petter Solberg lies in second place overnight. Team Peugeot Hansen’s Sebastien Loeb lies in third place overall, showing better pace this weekend after the mechanical issues he suffered in Spain that saw him miss the Semi-Finals.
Kevin Eriksson is in fourth place in the MJP Racing Team Austria machine after winning his Q1 race and then going third fastest in Q2. 2016 FIA World RX Champion Mattias Ekstrom completes the top five overnight in his EKSRX Audi.
Timur Timerzyanov went quicker in Q2 to take sixth position overnight. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Kevin Hansen lies in sixth place in the 2016 Peugeot 208 WRX ahead of STARD Racing’s Timur Timerzyanov who impoved his position in Q1 by going fourth fastest in Q2. Team-mate Janis Baumanis is in eighth place overnight whilst Spain Podium visitor Timo Scheider is in ninth place ahead of the third EKSRX Audi of Reinis Nitiss.
Completing the vital top twelve places for the all important Semi-Finals on Sunday are Timmy Hansen, who suffered a boost issue during the action today which slowed him and Niclas Gronholm in the GRX M-Sport built Ford Fiesta.
Andreas Bakkerud has work to do to make the Semi-Finals on Sunday. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
However there are several big names that are outside the top twelve who will be looking to improve on Sunday during Qualifying.
Andreas Bakkerud went fastest in Q1 overall, however as he forgot to take his joker lap, the Norwegian driver was handed a 30 second penalty and currently lies in twentieth position. Meanwhile drivers such as Topi Heikkinen, Guy Wilks and Hoonigan Racing’s Ken Block will all be looking to improve.
