Autocross specialist Mervin Klaassen will make his rallycross debut in the 2025 season. Competing in the Open 2WD Pro category, the Dutchman will take part in the RallyX South Championship, which kicks off at the end of March at the Montalegre circuit.
And there’s no doubt that Mervin Klaassen will not go unnoticed, as he brings a Volvo C30 with a Honda K20 engine producing no less than 600 hp to the RallyX grid.
Despite being a newcomer to rallycross, his extensive off-road racing experience spanning over a decade should allow him to adapt quickly to the sport.
“I am indeed a rookie in rallycross, having spent the last ten years concentrating on various national championships in the Netherlands, mainly in autocross,” says Mervin.
“However, my passion for rallycross started much earlier when I first saw Per Eklund behind the wheel of his Saab Supercar. At the time, I didn’t have the budget to even consider a future in rallycross, but when the opportunity arose to acquire this Volvo C30 Supernational, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. That’s why my team and I decided to take on this new challenge.”
Finishing eighth in last season’s European Autocross Championship in the Buggy1600 category, with one win and three podiums, Mervin Klaassen is already shaping up to be a strong contender in Open 2WD, as his track record suggests.
“I have raced a two-wheel drive buggy for many years because that philosophy suits the tracks we have in the Netherlands. So I’m more than familiar with the dynamics of rear-wheel drive cars. However, two years ago we decided to move up to the Buggy1600 category, which remains the most competitive on a national level and has also allowed us to compete in the European Autocross Championship. Now I have to admit that I’m really excited to see how this Volvo will perform, as it’s built with unique technical choices.”
Indeed, Mervin Klaassen has left nothing to chance in opting for a car designed to impress rallycross enthusiasts.
“We simply went for a turbocharged Honda K20 engine. We’ve been developing this engine platform in autocross for a number of years, so we decided to go down this route in collaboration with Duxe Engine Works. Theoretically, we expect our engine to produce around 600 horsepower.”
Although he isn’t setting unrealistic expectations for his RallyX debut, the Dutchman is determined to prove that he has what it takes to shake up the Open 2WD hierarchy.
“We don’t have excessive expectations because we’ve made a lot of modifications to the car. But now that we’re competing in this RallyX championship, we’re certainly not here to run at the back of the grid. One thing is for sure – we will do everything we can to make the most of this opportunity and give our best in every race.”
Pictures: Dave Smeets // rx-inside.be