Swedish rallycross outfit JC Raceteknik saw three of their drivers took home trophies in the season-opener of RallyX Nordic at the All-Star ‘Magic Weekend‘.
The team brought seven drivers to the event in all four classes, of whom four reached the final and two of them now lead their retrospective series’ after round one.
Arguably the standout performance was defending RallyX Nordic champion Robin Larsson, driving a 2018-spec Audi S1 EKS RX, won round one of the season ahead of Johan Kristoffersson and Niclas Grönholm.
“It was a great first day for us. Although I was not the fastest throughout the competition, I managed to tie the bag just right for the semi-finals. This was the first time I tested the new car, and I got into it right away. It is similar to the old car, while we were able to move the boundaries forward all the time.” Larsson said.
“So we will continue to develop it this weekend, and keep it as ready as possible until the World RX starts. RallyX Nordic did not really offer a soft competition, but many of the best rallycross drivers compete this weekend. Neither [Niclas] Grönholm nor [Johan] Kristoffersson is doing anything half-decent, so we see this victory as a good receipt for the team ahead of the World RX. ”
JC Racteknik’s Junior Team driver Alex Gustafsson also won his class – the CrossCar Junior championship and also becoming the first Swede to win with a round of the series on Swedish soil.
“This feels completely indescribable, I probably haven’t realized I’ve won yet. It was a really tough day with tough competition. So when I crossed the finish line as a winner there were many tears of joy and victory cry. In addition, I am the first ever to win Crosscar Junior in Sweden and RallyX Nordic feels cool, it makes me fall into the history books a bit.” Gustafsson commented on his win.
“Now I will reload directly and put the focus forward, it is a new competition already this weekend and also there I will do my best. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me over the weekend, the team and sponsors – together this became possible. Of course also a big thank you to RallyX Nordic who took the class to Sweden.”
Another podium went to the team’s junior driver Isak Reiersen, who finished third in the Crosskart/CrossCar class and would have claimed second if not for a costly mistake where he ran wide into the gravel trap.
“This competition has been very tough. No driver has been superior, but it has been incredibly smooth, which means that I always have to stay on the border to keep up. That is exactly why it becomes an even more beautiful feeling with the podium and to start with a championship lead in RallyX Nordic.” Reiersen said.
“Last year I was taught that it is evenness and picking points in all the heat that results in a good championship. You don’t have to win to get the most points, as I showed today. I have some things to develop even more, and look forward to the next competition this weekend. I would also like to say thank you to the team for a good job, my sponsors who make possible and of course everyone who cheered on us from home. ”
The All Star Magic Weekend continues this weekend, with coverage continuing here on The Checkered Flag.
Enzo Ide and Mats Öhman reached both the semi-final but they couldn’t progress any further. They ended the first round in 13 and 14 place respectively.