EKS and Johan Kristoffersson are two of the most prominent names in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. The two have spent their histories in the series competing against each other for championship glory. However, in a somewhat unprecedented move, Kristoffersson will now team up with the EKS squad for the 2021 season, as the pair join forces for a title assault. The pairing has resulted in a new squad being formed; EKS JC, a merger between Mattias Ekström’s EKS squad and Kristoffersson’s JC Raceteknick outfit.
Here is what Johan had to say about the announcement;
“First of all, I’m very pleased that I can contest a full World RX season, and to do so with a new team is like a new challenge for me. EKS JC know how to win races and championships, and after our first two test days, we saw that we could learn and gain from each other. Joel Christoffersson and the whole team are very passionate and motivated to achieve the goal of defending my Drivers’ title and, together with Enzo, also the Teams’ title.
“The target when you enter a championship as the reigning champion is always to win it again, but that’s certainly no easy task. It’s a position I’ve been in twice already, and we will do whatever it takes to fight for the crown this year.
“The competition will always be there and – because rallycross is rallycross – there will always be a lot of action. We fully expect to have to fight hard, but we are ready for that and I really, really can’t wait to get to the first event with my new car and see where we are at.”
For EKS, this is surely a dream acquisition as Kristoffersson is the most decorated driver in the World Rallycross Championship’s short history. In 61 starts, he has attained 24 wins, 36 podiums and 3 championships (2017, 2018 & 2020). In other words, he is the man to beat. However, all of this success came behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar in various team guises. The Polo has been one of the strongest World RX cars in recent years, so Johan’s switch to EKS JC marks a step into unfamiliar territory as they will run with Audi S1 Supercar.
Kristoffersson shouldn’t be too concerned with his change of scenery, as the EKS squad has been one of the most successful in the World RX paddock. In only its second full season; the team took home the 2016 Teams and Driver titles, the latter with founder-driver Mattias Ekström. The Audi S1 is also the third-winningest car in series history. Ekström had this to say regarding the EKS JC merger;
“If you can’t beat him, join him – it’s as simple as that! I have had many great battles with Johan and I think everyone can agree he has a unique skill set, so for me, he is a perfect fit for EKS JC’s 2021 campaign to once again challenge the rest of the field for both the Teams’ and Drivers’ titles.”
A unique skill-set is an accurate description for Kristoffersson, who along with his Rallycross success, has covered himself in glory in Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia, Scandinavian Touring Car Championship and Superstars International Series. As well as this, he currently leads the Extreme-E standings. Wherever Johan Kristoffersson goes, he adds a winning touch. EKS JC will be hoping the same when the lights go out at the FIA World Rallycross opener in Barcelona (23-24 July). The rest of the field will be praying they can stop him.
