Swede Mattias Ekström is expected to do more Rallycross in 2014, and since he changed his club to become a member of Finnskoga MK he is even more asked about his motorsport future by the Swedish press.

Not only since he left his former club SMK Dala to enter the Höljes organisers Finnskoga Motorklubb as a new member that man Mattias Ekström is in the focus of nosy journalists and asked about a possible commitment to Rallycross, especially by the Swedish press of the Värmland region [Höljes is in the north of Värmland]. Now the 2004 and 2007 DTM Champion has been quoted by ‘Värmlands Folkblad’: “Rallycross will never be a replacement for the DTM for me.” However, “Eki” did not deny his big interest in Rallycross, but claimed: “There are many rumours, until everything is nailed.” Ekström also said to VF: “But if I can find interesting options, anything is possible. I am a ‘try-it-man’. Life is too short to sit at home and watch television. We’ll see what it leads to.”

In 2008 Ekström Junior drove some demo laps with the Audi Sport quattro S1 of his father’s friend Olle Arnesson at Höljes. © JL/ERC24

We at ERC24 have been informed some time ago that there is an all-new Audi A1 SuperCar for Mattias Ekström in the making in Sweden. Other hints, especially from sources in Germany, give the impression that Audi Sport is in some way or another also involved in the project. Fact is, that Ekström has signed a contract to start for another full season in the DTM. Six of the ten rounds of the Germany-based series do not clash with WorldRX events. Therefore, the 35 years old son of ex-Rallycrosser Bengt Ekström would be able to compete in eight of the twelve races counting for the first ever FIA World Rallycross Championship title. The four clashing events are May 4 (DTM Hockenheim vs. WRX Montalegre), June 29 (DTM Norisring vs. WRX Kouvola), July 13 (DTM Moscow vs. WRX Mettet) and September 28 (DTM Guangzhou vs. WRX Franciacorta). However, it could also be the case that Ekström would race in the new Swedish Rallycross series ‘RallyX SuperCar Scandinavia’ in 2014, with sporadic attempts on WorldRX races like Höljes and Hell in Norway. None of the six SRC events would clash with his DTM programme.

Mattias’ father Bengt Ekström was a well-known Rallycrosser with cars of BMW during his time. © EL/ERC24

Top photo: In 2013 Ekström raced a VW Polo at Höljes, this year he is expected to show up with an Audi A1. © JKR/ERC24