After Simon Tiger and Marcus Norman, another major figure in the Open 2WD category will be taking on a full programme in the RallyX Euro League series. Viktor Johansson will kick off his season in Portugal at the Montalegre circuit, behind the wheel of his Mercedes 190 Evo Hybrid.
An outstanding competitor in the two-wheel-drive category, Johansson can boast one championship title and two runner-up finishes. This year, he is aiming for a triple crown in the Euro League, as well as in the South and North divisions of the RallyX championship.
Having been a loyal competitor in the North division, the expansion of the Scandinavian series to Southern Europe was an opportunity too good to pass up for the driver who has four wins and 15 podium finishes since 2022.
“There were many reasons that motivated me to commit to the full Euroleague championship. Weighing up the pros and cons, I quickly realised that there were far more arguments in favour of this adventure than against. I’ve always wanted to compete in more international events and to be able to do so with my own car and team is a dream come true,” says Johansson.
“This RallyX Euro League feels like a return to the roots of rallycross, reminiscent of the days when Per Eklund and Kenneth Hansen started in the European Championship. They worked with small teams and limited budgets, but that never stopped them from racing all over Europe.”
For Johansson, a key factor in his decision to enter the series was the collective transport solutions introduced by the RallyX promoter.
“Initially, I hadn’t planned to take on a full Euro League programme, mainly due to budget and logistical constraints. But when I heard that RallyX offered shared transport solutions, I immediately reconsidered my plans. And I won’t deny that knowing that my fellow Norrbotten colleagues Simon Tiger and Marcus Norman would also be competing was another big motivator. Not only can I not let Simon Tiger take the title unchallenged, but there’s no way I’m going to sit back and watch the Southern European rounds from behind a screen,” jokes Johansson.
For the Älvsbyn native, this Euro League season is also the perfect way to combine passion with practicality.
“A few years ago I decided to compete in Supercar Lites because I really wanted to race internationally. However, in the end I preferred to go back to two-wheel drive because I also love working in my workshop, building my own cars and experimenting with the technical solutions that interest me most. That’s why the Open 2WD category appeals to me so much – you start with a blank sheet of paper, design everything from scratch and still remain competitive”
Although eager to begin his Euro League campaign, Johansson admits that for the time being his mind is focused on preparing his Mercedes 190 Evo.
“I haven’t really switched into competition mode yet. My priority at the moment is to complete the rebuilding of my car and most of my thoughts are directed towards that goal. However, I can’t hide my excitement about starting the season at Montalegre. Until now, I’ve only seen the track on television, but it seems to have a massive Rallycross fan community that creates an incredible atmosphere every year. Between the circuit and the ambiance, I can’t wait to experience it firsthand.”
“Above all, I hope that my technical package with the electric motor will work well on this track. Given the altitude, I could be one of the drivers with the least power loss. My goal is clear – I want to be the first one into Turn 1 at the end of the long front straight.”