After confirming his move to the Supercar category of the RallyX Championship at the beginning of December, Filip Thorén makes no secret of his ambitions at the wheel of the ex-Hedström Motorsport VW Polo he acquired a few weeks ago.
At the end of a productive campaign in the 2023 FIA RX2e, which saw him qualify for three finals in five events and finish sixth in the overall championship standings, Filip Thorén sees a move to Supercars as a logical step.
“At the end of the 2021 season, I had a great opportunity to compete in the Spa and Nürburgring races in the FIA RX2e. After a couple of seasons in the Swedish Junior Rallycross Championship, RX2e was a natural step for me, and this move to Supercar follows the same logic of progression,” points out Filip.
“The FIA RX2e has been a great learning experience, but I feel ready to take the next step with this VW Polo. It’s definitely a dream come true,” says the 21-year-old Swedish driver.
“The FIA RX2e has really helped me to understand the dynamics of a four-wheel drive car. In fact, from the first few meters behind the wheel of the Polo, I quickly felt in my element. The big difference between the two cars is obviously the difference in power and torque, but I’m convinced that with a little more mileage in this supercar it won’t be long before I get the hang of it.
In 2024, Filip Thorén will have his first taste of the RallyX championship in a Supercar with Peter Hedström as team manager.
“I was able to do about 70 laps at Höljes in 2023. The aim wasn’t to change the set-up, but to get a feel for the car. To tell the truth, I had a pretty good impression of the car and Peter seemed happy with it. He’s convinced that we have a lot of potential to exploit. One thing is for sure, given the quality of my rivals, I know that this RallyX championship will be an excellent way to see where I stand in relation to the best drivers and where I need to improve.
Despite his rookie status, Filip Thorén still has ambitions.
“Even though it’s a learning season, the goal is obviously to be able to fight for the title in the Pro Am Supercar category. We’ll have to see how things go for me, but I’m convinced that with a few test sessions from next spring, we’ll be perfectly prepared for this new challenge.”
