RallyX champion in the Open 2WD category in 2022, Viktor Johansson failed to defend his crown last year and had to settle for second place overall. However, the driver of the Mercedes 190 Hybrid has every intention of reversing that trend in 2024.
With a total of three wins and nine podiums in just two years, it only makes sense for Viktor Johansson to return to the RallyX championship.
“I feel really good in this championship,” comments Viktor.
“I am doing what I love, while being able to travel with my family and friends makes for some really great times. And the media coverage of the championship is very good, with live broadcasts on Youtube. Budget-wise, the RallyX championship also allows us to compete in a reasonable way, while with the cars we use in Open 2WD, it’s quite simply the best series to compete in”.
Beaten last year by Simon Tiger in a championship that came down to the very last event of the 2023 season, Viktor Johansson naturally has only one thing on his mind.
“My goal is simple: to come back and win the championship. I know it won’t be easy. The Open 2WD category will bring even more drivers together and that’s a very good thing, but it means that we have to work even harder if we want to fight for the title. This means consistency in terms of driving, but also on a technical level in terms of set-up, as we’ll need to be perfect on every lap.”
While 18 drivers have already returned their entry forms for the 2024 season, Viktor has used the current off-season to fine-tune his technical package.
“The fact that there are more of us in the class changes things, but we have the advantage of knowing our car well as we’re about to run the same technical package for the third season in a row. In fact, we took advantage of the off-season to change a few things. The aim was to make the car simpler so that it would be easier to deal with any mechanical problems during race weekends.”
A 2024 campaign that should once again highlight his duel with two-time RallyX champion Simon Tiger.
“This rivalry with Simon makes things even more exciting. I have a lot of respect for Simon and the Tiger family. They’re really great people, but for him as for me, the goal will be to win the championship.”
However, while the two Norrbotten drivers have a very respectful relationship, it’s out of the question for them to share their little technical secrets.
“Even though I think this rivalry is very good for the championship, what goes on in our workshops is top secret,” jokes Viktor.
“Of course, we’re not the kind of guys who visit each other in the winter to see what our opponent is working on. It’s an ideal scenario for the fans. It allows them to see that cars with different philosophies can still compete on the track. I know that on some sections his BMW will have a small advantage, while on others we will be able to make the difference with the Mercedes.”
A rivalry that could, however, be accompanied by some arrangements in 2024. Indeed, since the introduction of the Open 2WD category in the RallyX championship, Simon Tiger and Viktor Johansson have yet to gain the upper hand over their Finnish counterparts on the Kouvola circuit.
“Maybe I’ll suggest to Simon that we team up for the Kouvola event,” laughs Viktor.
“In any case, we’ll have to get organized if we want to try to beat the ‘crazy Finns’. Every time they manage to win at home, and we’ll have to put an end to that by showing them that the Swedes have some qualities as well.”
