KRISTOFFERSSON RETURNS WITH A THIRD TITLE IN HIS SIGHTS

Wednesday 11th of March 2020

Double world champion Johan Kristoffersson has confirmed his return to World RX in 2020 with his sights on a third title.

The Swede was all-conquering in 2017 claiming seven victories en route to the world drivers' championship. He surpassed that effort the following year winning 11 of the 12 of events to secure his second consecutive title.

After a stint in rally and WTCR in 2019, he returns this season at the wheel of the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS Polo GTI RX. “It has been a hectic period and not the easiest path to go along. There have been many alternatives, but right now I feel really satisfied. Rallycross is very close to my heart. All our energy and focus is now on World RX,” Kristoffersson said.

Kristofferson says that while his attention was elsewhere during his year away from the sport, he has refocussed for 2020. “I have caught up with some of the races I missed and my conclusion is that our opponents took steps forward during 2019,” he said. “I have learnt from both rally and racing. That mix is what makes rallycross.”

Kristoffersson is longing for big events like Hell and Holjes, but there will also be some new challenges. “Spa looks awesome and Abu Dhabi is also new to me. “I’m really looking forward to this season and it is a bit special to do it with Kristoffersson Motorsport. When we entered rallycross in 2014 we set a three-year plan to become world champions.

“It succeeded, however with PSRX where I had two fantastic years. But some of our own staff were on the substitutes bench so to speak. That’s why it’s so extremely nice to do this,” added the 31-year-old.

Team boss Tommy Kristoffersson says the team is well aware of the challenge it faces in 2020: “To run a family team in the world championship is really above our heads, but thanks to great support from our main partners, the Volkswagen dealers in Sweden and BAUHAUS, we felt it was worth giving it a go," he said.

“This has been another of those moments when you don’t take no for an answer. Instead you build arguments strong enough to get a ’yes’ in the end. It takes an enormous amount of effort, but we have built our credibility over the years, not least with the delivery from Johan.

“We hope to score good results early on, giving us a chance for extra support for the later part of the season. Of course this puts pressure on our team, but I feel assured we have a very competent squad.

“Tight races, powerful cars, big crowds. Rallycross is surrounded by emotions and the organizers have found a great concept for the events. And with a double world champion behind the wheel the pressure is on. Of course we will be there aiming to win, but anyone involved in this business knows it’s not that easy. After all, we’re a private team and the resources are limited, not even close to 2017 and 2018. Also, the car will be based in Arvika, not in Hannover, even though we will be buying services from Volkswagen Motorsport.”

Kristoffersson senior says the team also has an eye on the electric future of rallycross. “It has always been a privilege to work with Volkswagen. Together with their development department I hope for us to be a part of future motorsport,” he said. “Rallycross is a perfect product for electrification and there is no better way to run development work than through motorsport. A lot of things used in our private cars have come through motorsport.”

In five of the 10 races there will be only one car in Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS, but when Euro RX is run there will be two cars. Norwegian Sondre Evjen will drive the Kristoffersson Motorsport built Polo GTI RX like last season.