After an outstanding 2025 season that saw him succeed Mikael Uitto and Hampus Hagström on the CrossCar Junior Championship honours list, young Swedish driver Carl Svedlund is preparing to open a new chapter in his career as he steps up to the senior category this weekend for the opening round of the RallyX championship at Valkenswaard.

With four victories and a total of eight podium finishes from nine appearances in the RallyX North championship alone, Svedlund firmly confirmed the promise he had shown the previous year.

This time, however, the JC Raceteknik driver will leave behind the Casmat chassis he used in the Junior category to take on the best drivers on the European stage at the wheel of what is widely regarded as the benchmark machine, the Speedcar Wonder.

“First of all, I have to say that my 2025 season was extremely positive. I learned a lot and gained valuable experience. Many people, both within and outside JC Raceteknik, supported and helped me throughout the season. Racing in the junior category, with less powerful cars, forces you to maximise every detail to perform. Winning a championship had been a dream since I started. Being able to handle the pressure of fighting for the title will clearly help me going forward in my career.”

Backed by a well-established team and benefiting from strong technical support, Svedlund has been able to develop in a supportive environment.

“JC Raceteknik has supported me perfectly over the past two seasons. My coach, Fredrik Åhlin, has been helping me improve for several years now, and that has been extremely valuable. Even in the more difficult moments, I never gave up. I believe that’s one of the most important things if you want to reach the highest level.”

Now stepping up to the senior ranks, the Swede is approaching this new challenge with measured expectations.

“I’m entering this new season without setting the bar too high. Moving up to the senior category is mainly an opportunity to gain experience rather than immediately fight for a title. The level will be higher, with bigger grids, faster machinery and more experienced drivers. It’s a challenge I find very motivating, and it will push me to improve. Whatever happens, I’ll give it everything and continue aiming for podium finishes every weekend.”

Alongside his RallyX campaign, Svedlund has also opted to broaden his programme in order to gain further experience.

“Initially, after CrossCar Junior, my plan was to switch fully to rallying. After thinking it through, I decided instead to go for a mixed programme. I will compete in a full CrossCar Senior season to keep improving and develop my feeling for speed. At the same time, I’ll also take part in rally events whenever the RallyX calendar allows, to take another step in my career.”

This strategic decision also comes with a notable technical change, as he switches to a Speedcar Wonder chassis.

“The change of chassis wasn’t necessarily planned at first. But after testing both a Casmat and a Speedcar Wonder R, we ultimately decided to adjust our approach. Both are very good cars, but the Wonder suited my driving feel better.”

Already familiar with the RallyX environment, Svedlund does not expect a complete reset, but rather a step up in intensity.

“Having already raced several seasons in CrossCar within the RallyX championship, I don’t expect major changes, apart from discovering new competitors and new cars. The main difference will obviously be the speed. Everything will happen much faster. I don’t think that will be a problem, but it will be a new sensation, different and very exciting.”

Despite this learning phase, his ambitions remain clear.

“My goal is to get back on the podium. After that, we’ll see how things develop.”

Looking further ahead, the young Swede is already setting his sights on an even bigger goal.

“In the long term, my objective is to move into rallying, keep improving in that discipline and, one day, become world champion. That’s my biggest dream.”

Just days away from his debut in the senior category, Carl Svedlund is about to take a decisive step forward, aiming to confirm at a higher level the potential he showed during his junior career.