Tommi Hallman has stunned the crowds here at Lydden Hill Race Circuit by taking victory at his debut RX2e event in the 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Reigning champion Viktor Vranckx followed him home in second, with Ole Henry Steinsholt in third.
Hallman, who drives for SET Promotion, has dominated the whole weekend, winning three out of four heats, and then taking control of his semi-final and the final in emphatic style. Meanwhile, Nils Andersson, who was looking like Hallman’s main rival for the majority of the weekend, suffered suspension damage that relegated him to a disappointing fifth.
Semi-Finals
After a thoroughly wet first day, the sun shone on the final day of proceedings at Lydden Hill. Hallman had been dominant all through the heats and was expected to take the top spot in his semi-final and then the final.
Sadly Isak Sjökvist‘s weekend came to an end in semi-final 1. After a great start, overtaking Vranckx, he was defending well until a problem with the rear wheels made him lose position. A couple of corners later, he was forced to retire just after the jump with terminal damage to the rear wheel and suspension.
Out front, however, it was all about Hallman. Vranckx pushed hard but was unable to close the gap, finishing 2.3 seconds behind the flying Finn.
Semi-final 2 saw Andersson go quickest, setting up a battle royale in the final between him and Hallman who had been the class of the field so far. Roberts Vitols managed to overcome the damage suffered in heat 4 and finished third in his semi-final, putting him on the back row for the final. Sadly, Catie Munning‘s excellent weekend came to an end after she ended up at the back of the field in the semi-final. She drove determinedly all weekend but unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough to get her into the final.
Final
Hallman took the initiative at the start of the race and led the scrum out of Talladega for the first time. Vranckx and Andersson were side by side over the jump for the first time, and it looked like the three-way battle that had been brewing all weekend was going to come to fruition. Sadly, it wasn’t to be, as Andersson suffered suspension damage on the second lap, putting him out of contention. Vranckx pushed hard all the way, trying to catch the Flying Finn. Ultimately he finished 0.6 seconds behind the unstopable force this is Tommi Hallman.
However, Vranckx is likely to be very happy with this result. He has now overtaken Andersson to take the championship lead for the first time in 2023. The reigning champion is now in a great position to defend his title with two rounds to go.
Driver Reaction
Hallman said he was “surprised by the pace throughout the weekend, especially against the more experienced guys. I didn’t really know what to expect coming in!” When asked about how he feels about coming back for the final round in Germany, he said “It keeps me motivated knowing I can get good results, keeping up a good rhythm and a good flow, so let’s see what Germany will bring!“
Championship leader Vranckx said “we were lacking pace especially in sector 2, we couldn’t find the pace and I was a little cautious but I think in the final I was absolutely on the limit.” He will be with RX2e next time out in Mettet, and is eyeing up his first win of the season: “Obviously my home race is going to be my favourite race, so I’m really looking forward to it and hoping to get my first win of the year.“
The next event for RX2e is at Mettet, Belgium, on 5/6 August.
