One recurring theme in the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship is the performance that Johan Kristoffersson is able to pull out of the bag on a Sunday. The 2018 World RX of Canada was no exception.
The 2017 World RX Champion was in ninth place after the first two qualifying sessions on Saturday, where contact with Andreas Bakkerud along with several other drivers hampered his progress.
Kristoffersson lead from the lights in the Supercar Final at Canada. Credit: PSRX Volkswagen Sweden
“Did you think I’d left my race pace on the beach? Me too! Seriously, Saturday was tough. I had bad traffic, I couldn’t really make things work for me. I was so frustrated on Saturday night,” explained the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver.
“That’s where having a team-mate like Petter Solberg really comes good. I felt I was losing a little bit in the gravel sections, so I sat down with him and we talked through everything in the car and in the driving. He helped me and on Sunday morning I did what he told me, came off the beach and back to the races!”
Taking this advice on board, Kristoffersson’s pace on Sunday was a revelation. He set the fastest lap in Q3 and managed to take the Top Qualifier spot away from rival Sebastien Loeb at the end of Q4.
Kristoffersson has a fifty five point lead in the Drivers Championship. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Whilst Loeb suffered a spin on Sunday as well as contact which dropped him down the order, Kristoffersson was still wary of the improved performance of the Team Peugeot Total drivers. Despite closing the gap, the Volkswagen driver secured the win.
“Sunday was fantastic. I had to push really hard in the semi-final, I knew the Peugeots would be right there and quick again. The final was good, there was a bit of a challenge at the first corner, but once we got through there in front then I knew things were looking good,” said Kristoffersson
“You know, I love this place and I love this race track. I won here last year and I’m so glad to be able to leave Canada with that winning feeling again. This is a great result for me and for PSRX Volkswagen Sweden and thanks again to Petter.”
