RallyX Nordic ready to bring the magic as stars of the show rev up for Höljes

• World RX race-winners headline stellar entry list for this weekend’s action
• Legendary Swedish circuit hosts double-header to kick-start season in style
• Semi-finals and finals to be broadcast live and worldwide via Facebook

The 2019 RallyX Nordic presented by Cooper Tires campaign is preparing for blast-off at Höljes tomorrow – and not only will the season rev into life at one of the world’s most iconic rallycross tracks, but fans are set for a double dose of high-octane entertainment at the ‘Mini Magic Weekend’ (18/19 May).

Kicking things off in style, for the first time in RallyX Nordic history, the season-opener will take the form of a double-header – with racing from dawn to dusk on both Saturday and Sunday.

Nestled deep in the forests in Sweden’s beautiful Värmland region, Höljes has firmly established itself as one of the most legendary circuits in the sport, with upwards of 50,000 fans regularly making the pilgrimage to the track for the mid-summer World Championship round.

This weekend, spectators will get a sneak preview of what they can expect later in the year, as more than 50 drivers do battle across four classes – Supercars, Supercar Lites, RX Academy and CrossCar.

The headlining Supercar grid – flame-spitting, 600bhp beasts capable of out-accelerating a Formula 1 car to 100km/h – will feature a host of big names from the discipline, including a couple of FIA World Rallycross Championship event winners.

JC Raceteknik’s Robin Larsson triumphed in Argentina in 2015, while fellow Swede Kevin Eriksson (Olsbergs MSE) was the man who pulled off that round-the-outside first corner overtake to reach the top step of the podium in Germany in 2016. The Swede’s younger brother Oliver – currently leading the RX2 International Series – will take to the track in an OMSE Honda Civic, alongside team-mate Ulrik Linnemann, who stunned with victory on his RallyX Nordic debut on home soil in Denmark last season.

Sebastian Eriksson – winner of RallyX on Ice earlier this year – adds to the list of leading protagonists, while Philip Gerhman is undoubtedly a rallycross star of the future, having tallied three rostrum finishes from four events in 2018. The Swede’s car is none-too-shabby, either – an ex-World RX Volkswagen Polo GTi.

Picking a winner in Supercar Lites is a similarly unpredictable affair. Last season’s runner-up Ben-Philip Gundersen is the highest-placed returnee, but the Norwegian is sure to face stiff opposition from within the JC Raceteknik camp, with Sondre Evjen and Jimmie Walfridson both well-established contenders in the class.

Swedish stars Marcus Höglund (Team Färén) and Simon Olofsson are both determined to shine on home soil, and Petter Leirhol shares more than just a first name with fellow Norwegian Petter Solberg – he has fast genes, too. Thomas Holmen returns to the fray following a year’s sabbatical from competition, while Nathalie Petersson (Hedströms Motorsport) is the class’ sole female entrant and will be keen to show the boys how it’s done. Record-breaking former Olympian Albert Llovera will also hope to be in the mix as he joins RallyX Nordic for the first time.

All of them, however, will be keeping a close eye on local lad Linus Östlund (OMSE), who practically grew up at Höljes and knows the track better than anyone. Look out for his rivals following Linus’ lines in free practice to try to gain some ‘insider secrets’.

The one-make RX Academy brings together some of the finest up-and-coming young talent in its field of identical Renault Clio RS RX cars, while the renamed CrossCar category has attracted a large grid, with Yellow Squad by Hansen’s Julle Ljungdahl arguably the driver to beat following his RallyX on Ice heroics.

“After what has seemed like a long winter break since we last all came together at Tierp seven months ago, RallyX Nordic is back and – judging by the entry lists and calibre of drivers in the field – bigger and better than ever before,” enthused Series Chief Operating Officer, Ian Davies. “As one of rallycross’ most iconic tracks, Höljes is a fitting stage for our 2019 curtain-raiser, and its famously challenging layout will provide a true test of commitment and ability.

“I am excited to see how the action unfolds, and even more excited that our many thousands of fans all around the world can watch it as it happens, thanks to the combination of live coverage on Facebook, RallyX TV and via a number of high-profile national broadcasters. The racing in RallyX Nordic is never less than first-rate, so whether you are following trackside, on your mobile phone or on television, buckle up, settle down – and enjoy the ride!”

The racing will run from 09h00 – 17h00 on both Saturday and Sunday, complemented by a bar and live music on Saturday evening, making for a family-friendly festival atmosphere. All off-track entertainment – as well as on-site camping – is free of charge to attending race-goers, with entry tickets available at just 200 SEK (c.€19) for Sunday or 300 SEK (c.€28) for the whole weekend. Accompanied children aged 15 and under get in free.

Full VIP experience packages – including hospitality and grandstand seating – cost 500 SEK (c.€48) for Sunday or 700 SEK (c.€67) for the whole weekend.

More information can be found here: https://bit.ly/2Ljw5E1

For those unable to get to the track, every RallyX Nordic event in 2019 will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/rallyxnordic and www.rallyx.se/rallyx-tv, with live coverage of the semi-finals and finals also set to be broadcast throughout the Baltic nations on TV6 Latvia. Further television agreements will be announced in due course.

Entry Lists

Supercars

Supercar Lites

RX Academy

CrossCar

2019 RallyX Nordic Calendar