- Öhman, Gundersen and Ide set for Supercar class scrap
- Walfridson represents Swedish team in Supercar Lites
- Reiersen and Gustafsson join forces in squad’s Juniorteam
JC Raceteknik has unveiled a six-strong stable of drivers to tackle next month’s ‘All-Star’ Magic Weekend at Höljes (2-5 July), with at least one representative in every class of the 2020 RallyX Nordic presented by Cooper Tires curtain-raiser.
Joining recently announced two-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson in the Supercar category will be Mats Öhman, Enzo Ide and Ben-Philip Gundersen, each of whom will take to the wheel of one of JC Raceteknik’s potent Audi S1 EKS RX Quattros. Öhman is a well-known name in rallycross circles with a long history in the sport, while Ide transitioned to the discipline from circuit racing last year with a one-off World RX appearance on home soil in Belgium.
Gundersen, meanwhile, is the Supercar ‘new boy’. The talented Norwegian won RallyX Nordic’s Supercar Lites class in 2019 and finished second in the RX2 International Series. The 2016 EuroRX TouringCar Champion will make his eagerly-anticipated Supercar class debut at the ‘All-Star’ Magic Weekend.
Jimmie Walfridson will compete in Supercar Lites for JC Raceteknik for a third consecutive campaign, with young guns Isak Reiersen (16-years-old) and Alex Gustafsson (13-years-old) joining forces in the JC Raceteknik Juniorteam in the CrossCar/Crosskart and newly-formed CrossCar Junior categories respectively. Reiersen returns for a second season in RallyX Nordic, while Höljes will mark Gustafsson’s series debut.
More information about the ‘All-Star’ Magic Weekend and further driver announcements will be made over the coming days and weeks. The final entry lists for all four classes will be published after the closing date of 18 June.
Quote, Unquote
Joel Christoffersson, Team Principal, JC Raceteknik, said:
“It feels great to finally be getting the season started – it’s been a while since we last got the cars ready to race! Of course it will be different not to be competing in front of an audience, but we are happy that we will be able to give back to our sponsors and rallycross fans.
“Although they cannot experience it on-site, I hope fans will follow the action on the screen and cheer us on. Like many companies, Finnskoga MK is a club struggling through the current crisis, and we hope to see as many people as possible supporting them by buying online tickets for the live broadcast. I have heard that many good drivers will enter this event, so it looks set to be ultra-competitive.
“Mats completed his first season in the Audi last year, and over the winter we have continued to develop and adapt his car. In testing, Ben-Philip has shown that he has the speed in the Supercar, and given that he has so much experience in rallycross, there shouldn’t be any problems. Enzo has also done a really good job during testing, but he is still effectively a rallycross rookie so it will be good for him to get two extra races and be a little more prepared for when the European Championship starts.
“Jimmie showed strong pace last year, and we will continue to build upon that. We will also have our Juniorteam in-place at Höljes, and we expect great things from both Isak and Alex.”
Mats Öhman, Supercar, said:
“It will be so much fun to start competing again, especially this year when for a while it looked like there would be no rallycross at all. The world is a bit upside-down right now and nobody has ever experienced racing at Höljes on the first weekend in July without a crowd, but I hope as many people as possible choose to watch the live broadcast.
“It seems there will be a lot of good drivers in the field, meaning the competition will be tough. We have continued to develop the Audi and tested it this week. Throughout my career, I have struggled to construct a perfect system for the starts, but now we have a whole new steering system for the engine and gearbox. There is a little bit left to do before the car is optimal, but the JC guys know what they’re doing and I’m sure it will work fine at Höljes.”
Ben-Philip Gundersen, Supercar, said:
“It feels very good that the season is getting underway. It has been a very long break from competing, so I am happy to be back on the start-line again. That it will be my Supercar debut at Höljes feels incredibly exciting. It’s a very new car to get used to, but also really fun to drive. JC Raceteknik is a very serious and professional team, so I am looking forward to debuting in Supercar with them. The goal will be to set some good times and of course to reach the final. There are many good drivers and cars, so it will be interesting to see how I shape up.”
Enzo Ide, Supercar, said:
“It’s been over a year since my last race, so it feels good to be back on the track. Of course, it is different to compete without an audience, but being able to drive behind closed doors feels good because everyone’s health is obviously the most important thing.
“Of all the circuits at which I have tested, Höljes is my favourite – it’s a proper rallycross track and I look forward to racing there. Since I have only entered one rallycross event before, I will aim to learn as much as possible. Many professional drivers will compete, so I will try to learn from them. I have a good feeling about getting started with JC Raceteknik.”
Jimmie Walfridson, Supercar Lites, said:
“The plan was always to run the entire RallyX Nordic and Swedish Championship season with JC Raceteknik this year, but for safety reasons we have obviously not been able to start yet. That is why it feels extra fun to be able to go racing now, especially at Höljes in July. It’s great to get started again and to be able to invite people to watch all the action remotely during these times.
“My development curve last year was good, although for me the season was very up-and-down. This will be my third season in rallycross and I will approach it a little more round-by-round, with the consistent target of progressing to the final.”
Isak Reiersen, CrossCar, said:
“I have worked for many months during testing to get as fast as possible, and the COVID-19 situation has allowed me more time to focus on training, too, which will hopefully pay off. Obviously, my goal is to win and at the same time to develop from last year. I’m looking forward to the event.”
Alex Gustafsson, CrossCar Junior, said:
“Competing is the most fun thing I know, so I’m really looking forward to this. We tested at Höljes last weekend, and it felt good. I have some small things still to work on, and it will be a big step for me moving up to RallyX Nordic. It will be a special feeling to compete on the same bill as all the great talents in the series. It looks like being a strong field in CrossCar Junior and I have no doubt the competition will be tough, but I’m looking forward to that.”
