Today (7 August) was all about two hometown heroes at Arvika, as Johan Kristoffersson and Per Eklund stole the show on the opening day of RallyX Nordic presented by Cooper Tires action in Värmland.
Fastest from the opening free practice session, Kristoffersson was unbeatable at his local track – although Fraser McConnell made a concerted effort to stop him in his stride in Q1.
From the middle of the grid, the Jamaican – in his maiden season at Supercar level – launched off the line to lead the pack into Turn One, thereafter proceeding to fend Kristoffersson off until the Swede produced a scarcely believable pass down the inside into the last corner to get the job done. To his immense credit, McConnell kept the two-time world champion firmly in his sights to end the day in P2 – and he was justifiably pleased with his performance.
“I’m very happy with that,” the Olsbergs MSE ace reflected. “I got a great start – there was no way I was letting Kristoffersson out-drag me from the outside of the grid – and we had an enjoyable battle. I honestly never expected him to attack where he did – my spotter Kevin [Eriksson] said to me, ‘cover the inside line’, but Johan was already there! I wasn’t upset, though, as I was then able to follow him – and who better to learn from than a double world champ?”
Team-mate Oliver Eriksson went third-quickest with a strong run, ahead of Peter Hedström – making his seasonal debut this weekend – and an impressive Anders Michalak. Linus Westman posted the seventh-best time despite finding himself delayed by an opening lap skirmish, with Eklund ending the day inside the top ten as the 1999 European Rallycross Champion continues his competitive comeback at the age of 74.
In the Supercar Lites class, #YellowSquad’s Henrik Krogstad set the pace after overcoming Gustav Johansson, who wound up an excellent fourth. Second and third – with barely a hair’s breadth between them following a scintillating duel – were OMSE stablemates Linus Östlund and Jesse Kallio, the Finn struggling without radio communication. Championship leader Simon Olofsson rounds out the overnight top five.
Patrik Hallberg leads the way in the CrossCar/Crosskart category as the Swede bids to concretise the potential he showed at Höljes last month. He was chased by Thomas Eek Murstad and Algot Hammarqvist, while JC Raceteknik Juniorteam’s Alex Gustafsson was a dominant force in CrossCar Junior, leaving his rivals with plenty of head-scratching to do if they wish to turn the tables at the weekend.
Tomorrow (Saturday) is all about Q2 and Q3 at Arvika. The action will continue to be streamed live with Swedish commentary from Christian Holmudd on SBF Play. The full weekend broadcast is available to watch for 199 SEK, with individual day subscriptions priced at 99 SEK.
Intermediate Standings
Supercar
1. Johan KRISTOFFERSON 50pts
2. Fraser MCCONNELL 45pts
3. Oliver ERIKSSON 42pts
4. Peter HEDSTRÖM 40pts
5. Anders MICHALAK 39pts
6. Mats ÖHMAN 38pts
7. Linus WESTMAN 37pts
8. Daniel THORÉN 36pts
9. Lars ANDERSSON 35pts
10. Per EKLUND 34pts
Supercar Lites
1. Henrik KROGSTAD 50pts
2. Linus ÖSTLUND 45pts
3. Jesse KALLIO 42pts
4. Gustav JOHANSSON 40pts
5. Simon OLOFSSON 39pts
6. Martin ENLUND 38pts
7. Jimmie WALFRIDSON 37pts
8. Niklas ANEKLEV 36pts
9. Mats OSKARSSON 35pts
10. Nils ANDERSSON 34pts
CrossCar/Crosskart
1. Patrik HALLBERG 50pts
2. Thomas Eek MURSTAD 45pts
3. Algot HAMMARQVIST 42pts
4. Max RUNDBERG 40pts
5. Isak REIERSEN 39pts
6. Julle LJUNGDAHL 38pts
7. Isac EGONSSON 37pts
8. Andreas PERSSON 36pts
9. Jimmy KUJANPÄÄ 35pts
10. Oskar ANDERSSON 34pts
CrossCar Junior
1. Alex GUSTAFSSON 50pts
2. Rasmus PERSSON 45pts
3. Lukas ANDERSSON 42pts
4. Raoul DAHLQVIST 40pts
5. Erik ANDERSSON 39pts
