RallyX Nordic

Olsbergs MSE unveil seven drivers for All-Star ‘Magic Weekend’

7 Mins read
Credit: OMSE

The leading Supercar Lites team Olsbergs MSE from Sweden has announced their line-up for the All-Star ‘Magic Weekend’ that is set to take place in Höljes behind closed doors on 2-5 June.

The event will run in conjunction with the Nordic rallycross series RallyX Nordic with two rounds throughout the weekend as a double-header. The event itself is a joint venture between the promoter RX Promotion, the track owner Finnskoga MK and Swedish international broadcaster NEP.

The OMSE team will be entering the event with seven drivers in both the Supercar and Supercar lites categories, three drivers will be entering the Supercar class and four in the Supercar Lites class.

The two-time RX2 International Series champion and son of the OMSE CEO Andreas Eriksson, Oliver Eriksson is one of the drivers who will be entering for first time in the race-winning Ford Fiesta MK8, the same car which he will be using for his upcoming FIA European Rallycross Championship campaign.

Oliver lost his title chance at Tierp Arena which played the host for the 2019 RallyX Nordic season-finale, as the suspension collapsed on his Honda Civic Coupé in the finals, leading the 2019 Euro EX champion Robin Larsson to secure the title.

Credit: OMSE

“As racers, we obviously all want to race, and to now actually get the opportunity to do that for real feels fantastic. I want to have fun and really make the most of the weekend – and it goes without saying that I’ll be aiming to win! The Fiesta has proven itself to be a great car with victories at the top level last year in the World Championship and RallyX Nordic, so I can’t really blame the equipment if I don’t perform – no pressure, haha!” Oliver said.

“There are some really big, international names in the field so the competition is sure to be tough, but that’s exactly what I like to see – you always want to race against the best guys, because that’s how you can prove you are one of them.”

“I’ve been working hard every single day since we last competed back in November, and our little #RXQuarantine race day simulation really reignited the spark for me. I feel ready for this and I’m going in all guns blazing. Win it or bin it – nothing in-between!”

The Jamaican 2019 Americas Rallycross ARX2 champion Fraser McConnell will also make his Supercar debut at the All-Star ‘Magic Weekend’, after finishing fourth on his first-ever RX2 International Series season, he is looking forward to the step-up.

Credit: OMSE

“It’s going to be super exciting. Esports aside, it will be my first race weekend since November, and the first time in seven months that I’ve driven anything so fast or competitive, though I’ve been doing a lot of go-karting over the last week or so in preparation.” McConnell said.

“I also have some rally car testing coming up soon just to get back into the groove in four wheel-drive, because stepping up to race a Supercar for the first time is going to require a lot of focus and commitment – but I’m doing everything I can back at home to make sure I’m as ready as possible.”

“I’m going to take my time to get used to it, but I’m also going to Höljes to do my best and not give an inch. I’ll be up against a former world champion and some of the class’ outright front-runners, but I’m determined to rise to the challenge and racing with the best is the perfect way to do that. I’m counting down the days. I can’t wait!”

The RX2 International Series veteran Anders Michalak is the third and last driver announced to participate in the Supercar class, he was spotted on their official test days for some weeks ago in an older generation Ford Fiesta MK7 and now he also will make his Supercar debut.

Credit: OMSE

“I have to say, a rallycross Supercar is an amazing piece of kit to drive – even better than I’d thought it would be. When you hit the throttle, it just takes off like a rocketship! You need to learn to be patient with the power to really extract the most from the car.” Michalak said.

“I obviously won’t have had much time behind the wheel before going racing, but I’ve been comparing my data and on-boards with the other OMSE drivers from last year, which helps me to see where I still need to improve. I’m clearly on a learning curve, but Oliver, Kevin [Eriksson] and Sebastian [Eriksson] all have a lot of experience of the car and have been a really big help and my pace during the test at Höljes was very good – everything felt positive.”

“It’s certainly going to be cool – and a little bit daunting – to go up against a two-time world champion in my first event. Maybe I can give him a few tips! Haha, I’m joking, of course, but it will be fun, and if I can learn as much as possible and gain some more experience over the course of the weekend, I think that will be a success.

The Finnish young talent Jesse Kallio will make his return to Supercar Lites class after becoming the only Finn to win it at his home round of Kouvola last year.

Credit: OMSE

“Obviously it would have been nice to take part in the #RXQuarantine event with my OMSE team-mates, but it just wasn’t possible unfortunately. What I have been able to do is focus seriously on my training and I’ve lost some weight – physically, I feel really good. I think I’m in better shape than ever approaching the new season, and now I’m really excited to finally be going racing again!” Kallio said.

“The ‘All-Star’ Magic Weekend looks set to be a really high-profile event, and it’s been more than half-a-year since we were in South Africa for the RX2 finale, so I can’t wait to climb back behind the wheel. The Supercar Lites class entry already looks very competitive, so it certainly won’t be easy, but when I go racing, I always race to win – and I’ve kind of got a bit of a record to uphold in RallyX Nordic now…”

Linus Östlund will return to the track again this year after winning the ‘first real rallycross event’ this season at the so called #RXQuarantine race day simulation test hosted by OMSE last momth.

Credit: OMSE

“I must say, the #RXQuarantine was one of the best starts to a season I’ve ever had! My pace was strong and we were consistent with it, which was really encouraging. It’s been such a long ‘off-season’ – much longer than any of us ever expected – and it was good to go racing again without any pressure. That will come in a few weeks’ time…”

“I’m really stoked to be able to race properly again. This is the only major rallycross event taking place in the whole of Europe right now, and it seems to get bigger and better with every announcement, which is generating a lot of interest and excitement. The Supercar Lites class looks like it will be really strong – you can’t discount anybody. RallyX Nordic is always competitive, and this year will be no different – there’s no margin for error at all.
 
“Höljes is like my second home, and I obviously know the track really well. It would be so cool to win at such a prestigious event as the ‘All-Star’ Magic Weekend – that would definitely be the biggest achievement of my career so far.”

After being wildcard at two rounds of RX2 International Series as well as participating in RallyX Nordic, Niklas Aneklev is keen on to get back behind the wheel.

Credit: OMSE

“It’s been the longest ‘off-season’ I can remember, but the break has allowed me time to really focus on my development as a driver, and getting back behind the wheel for our #RXQuarantine race day simulation last month really gave me a taste for competing again and whetted my appetite for more.” Aneklev said.

“From everything I’ve seen and heard, the ‘All-Star’ Magic Weekend looks like being an awesome event with full grids, superstar drivers and a lot of interest and exposure all around the world. We obviously won’t be racing in front of the fantastic crowd we are used to at Höljes, but hopefully everyone will follow the event via the livestream.
 
“It will be really fun and, when you look at the starting field, you can see just how close and competitive it’s going to be. It will be brilliant to be a part of it, and hopefully it will be my most successful rallycross event yet!”

The fourth and final Supercar lites driver to be announced is the OMSE newcomer Martin Enlund, he made his RX2 debut at Höljes last season and posted the four fastest laps over the weekend on his semi-final race.

Credit: OMSE

“The #RXQuarantine event was certainly a good warm-up, and now I’m really looking forward to properly starting the season. I’m feeling well-prepared and ready to get back in the car and go racing again – it’s been far too long! I’ve really missed the buzz and the excitement that you only get from a real race weekend, and I can’t wait to feel that again. It’s going to be fun, and I really hope everybody tunes in to watch.” Enlund said.

“I took part in the World RX esports event in Abu Dhabi last month, which helped me to keep sharp and, combined with our OMSE race day simulation, hopefully that means I’ll be race-ready by the time the real action comes around.
 
“I have no doubt that the competition is going to be tough, with a lot of talented and quick drivers in the Supercar Lites field. I’m still effectively a rookie in the class, but I like to think I’m a more experienced rookie now, and I really feel like part of the family at OMSE – they’ve welcomed me into the team and I’m very comfortable here. Obviously I’ve got fantastic memories from the Magic Weekend last year, and I’m aiming to reach the semi-finals again next month. From there, anything is possible…”

The event will be livestreamed throughout the weekend, as the ongoing COVID-19 causes the event to be hosted behind closed doors, the viewers can watch from back at home via pay-to-view.

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