With the World RX of Great Britain moving to Silverstone for the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship as part of the new SpeedMachine Festival that launched last week, we took the time to speak with Johan Kristoffersson about his thoughts on the event.
Johan Kristoffersson leads the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Johan, your now the leader of the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Drivers Championship. How does that feel?
“It feels great I have to say! We’re five rounds into the championship and I have to say that whilst we re well prepared now, we didn’t start this way. However now we are feeling confident to be leading a very tough championship,” explained the Swedish driver.
“I felt I missed out on some points that I should have grabbed earlier in the season, but I took some points out of Ekstrom at Lydden Hill so it felt like we were back on even terms again. Petter was obviously very very quick and he had the upper hand but the car was working well all weekend so yes I’m feeling very good.”
Johan Kristoffersson has raised the competition level of World RX in 2017. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
With the World RX of Great Britain moving from Lydden Hill to Silverstone next year, what are your thoughts on how the new SpeedMachine Festival will turn out?
“It seems like that they have both a different and new idea with the SpeedMachine Festival. Having had a look around at the new track and the facilities, you can tell that this will be huge,” explained Kristoffersson.
“The sport is growing and for sure we like having the tracks like Lydden Hill that have a lot of history and are also a proper Rallycross track but at the same time we also accept that the sport is growing and requires newer venues to race at. I really think that the Festival is going to be good!”
Kristoffersson has settled in quickly at PSRX Volkswagen Team Sweden. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Have you had a chance to take a look at the new circuit today?
“Yes, I have had a look around the new track and I like that its a very technical track from my first look. I also like that the jump is huge and I hope to get a lot of air during race time!”
