Up-and-coming rallycross racer Julius Ljungdahl has been chosen to lead the new Yellow Squad by Hansen CrossCar project for March’s RallyX on Ice presented by Cooper Tires festival.
Helmed by front-running World RX brothers Kevin and Timmy Hansen, Yellow Squad by Hansen is already confirmed to compete in the RallyX Nordic CrossCar class this season, but the team will get its race debut in Are, Sweden as part of this year’s Ice festival.
While five-time World RX winner Timmy Hansen takes on driver duties as he did in the CrossCar class last season, he will this time be joined by Ljungdahl, who is excited by the opportunity to compete with one of rallycross’ most famous dynasties.
“I see this as a big opportunity to compete and to gain experience by working with such experienced and professional people as Kevin and Timmy,” he said. “For RallyX on Ice I of course want to win, but I think being on the podium is our realistic target.
“It’s going to be new and a lot of fun to race on three tracks in the same place in such a short amount of time. I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can, getting to know the team and driving a car that has already shown to be very competitive.”
Eighteen-year-old Ljungdahl made the switch to rallycross in 2018 and impressed by finishing sixth in the SRX Speedcar championship, a performance that caught the eye of Kevin Hansen, who will act as team manager in Sweden.
“This is a big day for the team, announcing our first ever driver. I’m super excited to welcome Julius to Yellow Squad by Hansen for RallyX on Ice. Julius is a very fast teenager who has been in racing for some years and got a taste for rallycross in 2018.
“He has shown his hunger during the off-season and prepared himself properly with our training schedule, ready to be Yellow Squad’s main driver in our first ever race week.”
Timmy Hansen’s entry will see him take to the wheel of the new TN5 XC, which has been built to latest generation FIA-ratified CrossCar regulations. Developed by World Rally Championship star Thierry Neuville, the TN5 XC is being developed for use in the RallyX Nordic CrossCar class, with Hansen using RallyX on Ice to give it a competitive first test.
“It’s very exciting that the first race for Yellow Squad is so close. Having Julius with us for RallyX on Ice will be the perfect start. We hope to help him fine-tune his driving skills and physical ability to further build on his talent and speed.
“Myself and Kevin are very passionate about this team and we will work very hard together with him to get the best possible result. I will race RallyX on Ice to get a first feeling for the new TN5 Cross Car. Thierry has promised to help as much as he can to make his car fast. This series is the perfect way to get a proper test with the TN5 against strong competition.”
The sons of 14-time European Rallycross Champion Kenneth Hansen, Timmy and Kevin have launched Yellow Squad by Hansen as part of an effort to discover the next generation of rallycross stars, with the emphasis paid to self-development in training, nutrition and communication.
