Round 2 of the Swedish Rallycross Championship for SuperCars was held at the Westombanan in Arvika. On ‘Ascension Day’ Johan Kristoffersson won the event in his home town, while Kevin Hansen made victory in RallyX Lites his, the day after he became 16 years old.

Over many a year the Swedish ‘Kristi himmelsfärdsdag’ [Ascension Thursday] has seen Rallycross events at the Westombanan near Arvika. In the early years with up to 20,000 spectators (21,000 was the record crowd in 1975), often with more people from the neighbouring country of Norway than native Swedes. This time there were 3,500 spectators to eye-witness the success of Johan Kristoffersson who dominated the race in his hometown. After setting the fastest times in all three qualifying heats and winning his Semi-Final the 25-year-old also bagged victory in the all decisive Final.

The SuperCars podium with (from left) Sebastian Eriksson, Johan Kristoffersson and Henning Solberg. © OMSE/ERC24

SuperCar competitors Linus Westman (Škoda Fabia Mk2) and Robin Larsson (Audi A1) battle it out. © OMSE/ERC24

OMSE team principal Andréas Eriksson preparing his namesake Sebastian Eriksson for the action to come. © OMSE/ERC24

Škoda Fabia Mk2 campaigner Peter Hedström was eventually black flagged in the Final for an incident with Daniel Holten. © OMSE/ERC24

The SuperCar Final had Johan Kristoffersson and Daniel Holten in the first row of the grid, the Norwegian had also won his Semi-Final. In the second row it was championship leader Sebastian Eriksson who met Robin Larsson. The third and last row was shared by Henning Solberg and Peter Hedström. Kristoffersson took the start and after 100+ metres entered the first corner ahead of Eriksson and Larsson. Audi driver Larsson put Ford campaigner Eriksson under pressure and passed him before the end of the first lap. The OMSE driver now decided for an early Joker Lap to gain new advantage towards the end of the race. When Larsson had to give up after about half of the distance to the finish and Peter Hedström had been black flagged for an attack on Daniel Holten there were only four of the six competitors still in the game. Henning Solberg was able to claim third place in the last lap when fellow-Norwegian Holten jokered. Kristoffersson eventually took his home event from Ring Knutstorp winner Sebastian Eriksson who is still in the lead of the championship after two rounds.

Kevin Hansen won his first RallyX Lites race the day after his 16th birthday. © OMSE/ERC24

The Arvika rostrum of the Lites drivers with (from left) Richard Göransson, Kevin Hansen and Daniel Björk. © OMSE/ERC24

Kevin Eriksson was chasing after second place in Lites when he had to throw in the towel. © OMSE/ERC24

After his Folkrace days the son of OMSE boss Andréas Eriksson is doing well in the SuperCar Lites category of Rallycross. © OMSE/ERC24

The Final of the RallyX Lites vehicles fell prey to Kevin Hansen, who celebrated his 16th birthday the day before the Arvika event. Hansen led the Final from start to chequers while his followers Richard Göransson and Kevin Eriksson were fighting for the runner-up place on the podium throughout the whole six laps. When Eriksson made his last attempt to pass Göransson the son of OMSE boss Andréas Eriksson overcooked it and then had to throw in the towel, allowing Daniel Björk to grab the last place on the rostrum.

SC Lites is a one-make vehicle series that has been adopted by WorldRX, Global RallyCross and in the Swedish RallyX series. © OMSE/ERC24

The Westombanan at Arvika, in 1995 and 1998 an ERC round venue, now hosted Round 2 of the all-new RallyX series. © OMSE/ERC24

The legendary Rallycross track “west om” [west of] Arvika is seeking after new glory. © OMSE/ERC24

• Round 2, Swedish Rallycross Championship/RallyX, Westombanan, Arvika (S), 29.05.2014
• FINAL RESULTS SUPERCARS:
• 1. Johan Kristoffersson (S) VW Polo Mk5
• 2. Sebastian Eriksson (S) Ford Fiesta Mk7 ST
• 3. Henning Solberg (N) Saab 9-3
• 4. Daniel Holten (N) Ford Fiesta Mk7
• 5. Robin Larsson (S) Audi A1 – DNF
• 6. Peter Hedström (S) Škoda Fabia Mk2 – Disq.
• FINAL RESULTS RALLYX LITES:
• 1. Kevin Hansen (S) “Peugeot 208”
• 2. Richard Göransson (S) “Ford Fiesta Mk7”
• 3. Daniel Björk (S) “Ford Fiesta Mk7”
• 4. Tobias Brink (S) “Ford Fiesta Mk7”
• 5. Linus Leise (S) “Ford Fiesta Mk7”
• 6. Kevin Eriksson (S) “Ford Fiesta Mk7” – DNF

Top photo: Arvika born Johan Kristoffersson drove his VW Polo Mk5 to victory in his home RallyX round. © OMSE/ERC24