Mattias Ekström pulled off a stunning drive to beat Johan Kristoffersson by just a tenth of a second at the second round of the 2020 FIA World Rallycross championship at Höljes.
The Semi-final’s were full of action, old rivalries came back in semi-final one as Andreas Bakkerud and Timmy Hansen came together twice, the second time breaking the rear suspension on Bakkerud’s Megane. An incredible battle ensued as Timmy, Anton Marklund, and Timur Timerzyanov all battled to take third place. Somehow Bakkerud held on, just like he did at Estering in 2017, to take a spot in the final. Kristoffersson went through to the front row with Kevin Hansen putting on a great display for second.
Ekström and Robin Larsson were on the front row of semi-final two. Larsson got the better start and went around the outside of his teammate. Niclas Gronhölm once again got stuck behind the Seat Ibiza of Timo Scheider which cost him a chance at a final spot. Rene Münnich retired his Seat with a mechanical problem. Scheider came out in front of Krisztian Szabo at the joker exit to secure a spot in the final. Larsson held on for the win and Ekström had to settle for the second row of the grid in the final.
Just like old times…
Kristoffersson and Larsson lined up on the front row of the grid for the final, with Kevin Hansen and Ekström on row two, and Bakkerud on Scheider on row three.
It was Larsson who got the best launch and attempted a move on the outside of Kristoffersson into turn one which sent him into the gravel at high speed. Kristoffersson led from Hansen as Ekström went for the early joker again. Bakkerud suffered another problem with the Megane and was passed by Ekström on lap two.
Larsson was piling on the pressure to Kristoffersson out front while Ekström was flying, eventually passing his teammate at the joker merge. The fight was on.
Kristoffersson and Ekström traded fastest lap times constantly. Larsson suffered a problem with his Audi and was passed by Hansen after the Velodrome.
On the final lap, Ekström set the fastest time of the weekend to get in front of Kristoffersson at the joker merge. Kristoffersson tried everything and attempted a pass at the final corner but Ekström held on to take his first win of the season in incredible fashion.
Later, Kristoffersson was penalised for hitting two track markers which dropped him to third and promoted Kevin Hansen to second, his best result of the season so far.
The next round of the championship takes place in Finland next week with another double-header. Who will triumph? Stay tuned to find out.
