By winning the first of the two races on the Danish stage of the RallyX Championship last weekend in Denmark, Ulrik Linnemann finally managed to put an end to his run of bad luck.
After his car was destroyed on the Buxtehude circuit in Germany in August 2023, Ulrik Linnemann had little more success in July 2024. On his return to official racing in Euro RX1 in Sweden at the end of a more than intense off-season, a crash contributed to his elimination in the qualifying heats.
However, the three-time European runner-up was able to take his revenge on home soil in Nysum last weekend.
Ulrik Linnemann set the fastest lap of Race 1 and set two fastest times in qualifying to take first place in the intermediate classification, and was clearly back on top of the Rallycross world.
“This win is a huge relief after what happened at Höljes in early July,” says Ulrik.
“It is an incredible feeling to be able to bounce back like this on home soil in Nysum in front of almost sixty partners. And I can’t deny that the support of the Danish fans was heart-warming”
One thing is for sure: the many disappointments of recent months have made this now historic figure in European Rallycross rethink his approach.
“I really tried not to focus too much on winning and to avoid the pressure that can sometimes lead you to make mistakes. I stayed in my bubble. I’m experienced enough to know that when you feel you’re close to winning, everything can change in a split second. In the semi-final of Race 1 I realised this when I lost a lot of power due to a turbo pressure problem. In the last two laps I did everything I could to keep my position. It was a stressful scenario, but nothing beats winning at home with the support of your own fans”
“Nothing was easy for me in the final. Coming out of the first corner I was only second and, despite contact with Martin Enlund, I tried to keep my cool to get back into the race, but our joker lap strategy paid off”.
After several months of doubt, the former legend of the Super1600 category proved that he had lost none of his super form.
“As well as the win, what reassured me was my ability to stay calm. I couldn’t have asked for a better feeling. To be able to cross the finish line as a winner was really good for me. Whatever happens, I want to keep the same attitude, focus on the moment and not make winning an absolute goal”
