WRC ace and 2012 Höljes ERC round ‘Dark Horse’ Per-Gunnar Andersson has tested Peter Hedström’s old lady “Helga” at the Höljesbanan prior to Rally New Zealand.

In two weeks time Swedish Rally ace “P-G” Andersson is doing his Rallycross debut, when the current Proton factory driver will compete in the SuperCars class of his home ERC round at Höljes. Yesterday, he and Hedström Motorsport have been to the venue in the so-called Finnwoods for a whole day of testing. “It was really a blast,” laughs Andersson. “We had a very good test and the car under me felt pretty good.” The former Jochen Coox Škoda Fabia Mk1 is now owned by Hedström Motorsport, prior to its life in Belgium Swede Lars “Stinsen” Larsson used it to win the ERC titles of 2006 and 2007 with the 550bhp SuperCar.

“I have chosen for a softer suspension setting than the car had before. During the day we were able to test on both, wet and dry surface. It went better and better and now I’m really looking forward to the start of the event,” claims the man, who started his motorsports career in the Swedish Folkrace scene, but has never done a true Rallycross event, with great enthusiasm. “I’m really grateful that both, Hedström Motorsport as well as Finnskoga MK is giving me this opportunity. This is a bit of a dream I always had come true and I promise to do everything I can to be 100% involved in the competition and to try to reach one of the top placings”. The event at Höljes starts on June 29, but today “P-G” and his co-driver Emil Axelsson are flying to New Zealand to drive their Proton Satria Neo Super2000 in the Rally New Zealand. “It will be a tough programme with some jet lag involved. But as soon as I get home the time is ripe for my Rallycross adventure at Höljes.”