For the fifth consecutive year, Viktor Johansson will contest a full campaign in the RallyX championship and the Open 2WD category. Crowned champion in 2022 and 2025, the Swedish driver will be aiming to match the achievements of Simon Tiger, who has already secured three titles at the wheel of his BMW.
A benchmark figure in the Open 2WD ranks, Johansson admits it would have been difficult for him not to return for another RallyX campaign.
This commitment comes at a time when the competition continues to intensify, but also within a championship he holds in particularly high regard.
“In Open 2WD, the choice is clear for me: RallyX is currently the best series out there. The TV coverage is excellent, the commentary is top quality, and the media exposure is real. The level of competition is extremely high. We’re clearly competing in a top-tier championship.”
With that in mind, Johansson is approaching the 2026 season with a clear philosophy: build on what already works rather than start from scratch.
“The past few months have been a bit different on a personal level with the arrival of a new baby in the family. As a result, I’ve had less time to dedicate to the car, which means there won’t be any major technical changes. That said, we’ve planned a few adjustments: strengthening certain components, replacing some fixings with more robust solutions, and implementing software updates for starts, which we already tested in Denmark and Germany at the end of last season. Overall, the car is in a very good place. The pace is there, reliability was strong last year, and even though rallycross always brings a degree of unpredictability, I believe we now have a very solid platform.”
“In recent years, we’ve introduced a lot of innovations: a hybrid system in 2022, a hydraulic anti-roll bar in 2023, and a new engine in 2024. At the start of each season, it almost felt like learning a new car all over again. This time, having a stable base is a real advantage. From the very first race in 2026, I want to feel completely comfortable behind the wheel. That continuity will be a key strength.”
That technical stability should now allow him to focus on the finer details that often make the difference at the highest level.
“I don’t think there’s any major weakness in the car. Starts have sometimes been a bit inconsistent, but we identified some promising areas of improvement towards the end of the season. It’s not about fixing a big issue, but rather about refining the small details to take the next step.”
Still, continuity alone won’t be enough in a championship where the level keeps rising. As the reigning champion, Johansson heads into the new season with a target firmly on his back.
“In 2026, the goal is obviously to defend the title. I know I’ll be the one to beat. Simon Tiger will be eager to bounce back after his technical issues last year. We know each other well. Our cars are different, but fairly similar in terms of weight, even if the setups vary. I know where he’s strong, and I know where I can make the difference.”
“We’ll also have to keep an eye on drivers like Gabrielson and Bleasdale, as well as those running very lightweight cars, sometimes 250 to 300 kilos lighter than mine. On dry tracks and in hot conditions, they’re extremely quick, and they’ve also proven to be very competitive in the wet. What I really enjoy about Open 2WD is this diversity, with different architectures, a mix of front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive, and a wide range of technical approaches when it comes to engines.”
Beyond the sporting challenge, Johansson remains committed to a philosophy that goes far beyond results alone.
“What drives me to keep going isn’t just about winning. Of course, victory matters, but our project is above all family-based. We work with family and friends; everything is built together. When we raced in Montalegre or at the Eurocircuit in the Netherlands last year, we always tried to combine competition with moments of discovery. The idea is to race over the weekend, then take the opportunity to explore, spend time with family, and experience something more. That’s also what makes this journey so special. I get a huge amount of enjoyment out of it, even in the workshop, building and developing the car. Meeting up with friends in the paddock and immersing ourselves in the unique RallyX atmosphere—those are truly special moments.”