For the first time in its history, the RallyX Championship is preparing to head north to the fantastic Alvsbyn circuit, which hosted a memorable stage of the FIA European Championship in 1994, marked by a fantastic duel between Kenneth Hansen and Martin Schanche. However, just 30 years after that extraordinary battle, the RallyX championship is set to put its stamp on what promises to be an exceptional event.
The next generation in full bloom
In the Open 4WD class, Joni Turpeinen will be looking to build on his impressive start to the season. At just 15 years of age, the young Finn has become a huge phenomenon in the RallyX championship. As well as leading the Pro category ahead of Filip Martinsson and Jens Hvaal, Turpeinen also leads the Pro Am championship ahead of the spectacular Martin Enlund, while the Martinsson/Hvaal duo remain more than ever in contention for the title.
In Supercar Lites, Lukas Andersson has confirmed that his performances last year, when he was just 15 years old, were no fluke. Andersson has won three of the four races he has contested since May, but will have to fight hard to hold off Casper Jansson, who is only nine points behind him. Simon Olofsson, who was forced to retire from Tierp 2 due to an engine failure, will also have to give his all to consolidate his return to the top of the standings. Third overall, 27 points behind Lukas Andersson, the two-time defending champion is on a run of two consecutive podium finishes and remains as dangerous as ever.
A battle for territory
In the Open 2WD category, the two locals on the Älvsbyn stage, Simon Tiger and Viktor Johansson, will be determined to shine on home soil. While Tiger has a 16-point lead in the overall standings thanks to three wins from four races, Viktor Johansson’s consistency could well help to reverse the trend. While other local drivers are expected to line up at the start, Norwegian Per-Magne Royras will make his debut at the wheel of the Wankel-engined Citroën Xsara, while Ossian Stenvall will also be making his debut. The driver of the Ford Escort Mk3, who is currently second in the Swedish championship thanks to three consecutive podium finishes, will definitely be one to watch.
Maximum intensity for the CrossCar categories
Last but not least, there will be plenty of excitement in the two CrossCar categories. In the Junior class, the duel between Olliver Sollie and Hampus Hagström reached new heights at Kouvola at the end of May. Neck-and-neck at the top of the standings, the Älvsbyn track will be a more than interesting battleground for the two 13-year-old Scandinavians, who will have to adapt to a completely new environment.
Among the seniors, Ronalds Baldins has proved to be the dominant force of the early season. The Latvian is the only driver to have qualified for four consecutive finals since the start of the championship. This consistency has given him a three-point lead over Elias Svensson (two wins at Tierp 2 and Kouvola 2) and a 14-point lead over outgoing runner-up champion Thomas Eek Murstad (one win at Kouvola 1). Behind them are more than a dozen drivers who have shown since Tierp that they all have the potential to stand on the top step of the podium.
In other words, this third stage of the 2024 season, with two races on 29 and 30 June at Högedens Motorstadion in Älvsbyn, will be well worth a visit.
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You can find all the information you need for the weekend HERE
Älvsbyn Entry List
