Reigning Swedish Rallycross Champion Sebastian Eriksson claims Round 2 (Round 1 was cancelled) of the all-new ‘RallyX On Ice’ series while Norwegian Stian Hafsengen drove an ex-Iversen Ford RS 200 E2 to victory in the ‘Historic’ category.

It was Sebastian Eriksson from the town of Sunnemo in Värmland who took the first victory of the new ‘RallyX On Ice’ series. For his competitors it was impossible to beat the Swedish SuperCar champion of 2014 on home ground in Höljes. “It is an awesome feeling to be the first ever winner of an ‘RX On Ice’ event,” said the smiling OlsbergsMSE driver just moments after the Final. Behind Eriksson, who almost won the 2014 WorldRX event in Höljes half a year ago, the fight was action packed. STCC star Richard Göransson, who had dominated the qualifying heats, was challenged to the first corner of the Final by impressing rookie Tobias Svärd. Both left the starting grid neck by neck and entered the first corner in a massive cloud of snow. Göransson came out ahead, and with him Finn Joni Wiman in third place, while Svärd had to be content with fourth place.

Höljes completely different from what has been seen by Rallycross fans over almost four decades. © QNIGAN/ERC24

Preparing of the studded tyres before the action is due to start. © QNIGAN/ERC24

Rally and RX legend Per Eklund, winner of the first RX on ice race at Höljes in 1976, did not make it to the Final. © QNIGAN/ERC24

Former WRC ace Thomas Rådström also made his way to the Final and in his RX Lites debut eventually managed a fine fifth place. ‘Rådis’ battled hard with Rallycross legend Per Eklund earlier in the day, their fight was one of the highlights of the event. Super1600 driver Jānis Baumanis made an impressing first Lites event on ice. The Latvian adapted quickly to the conditions and made some blistering moves to get a place on the grid for the Final. Baumanis’ last race of the day ended in a snow-bank after only one lap, but it was still a very impressing first GO for the former Autocrosser. Swedish Folkrace driver Tobias Svärd also made it to the all-decisive Final in his first ever event with a four-wheel drive car. On his way to the main event Svärd claimed victory in one of the Semi-Finals, the other one fell prey to Sebastian Eriksson.

The podium of the RallyX Lites category with (from left) Richard Göransson, Sebastian Eriksson and Joni Wiman. © QNIGAN/ERC24

So far only known for his results in Folkrace events Tobias Svärd impressed all. © QNIGAN/ERC24

Stian Hafsengen drove the ex-Jan Arthur Iversen Ford RS200 E2 Group B wing-monster to victory in the ‘Historic’ category. © STCC/ERC24

The event at the snow-packed Höljes Motorstadion had also racing of some classic cars on offer. Reigning World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg from Norway was seen in his Rally Ford Escort Mk2 while his compatriot Stian Hafsengen eventually hurled an ex-Iversen Rallycross Ford RS200 E2 Group B wing-monster to victory. In the end the two Norwegians had to share the winners podium with quadruple European Rallycross Champion Swede Olle Arnesson who was able to keep the rear-wheel drive Ford Escort Mk2 of ‘Hollywood’ all the way to the finish behind his four-wheel drive Group A Audi Coupé quattro.

• Final results RallyX Lites:
• 1. Sebastian Eriksson (S) ‘Ford Fiesta Mk7’
• 2. Richard Göransson (S) ‘Ford Fiesta Mk7’
• 3. Joni Wiman (FIN) ‘Ford Fiesta Mk7’
• 4. Tobias Svärd (S) ‘Ford Fiesta Mk7’
• 5. Thomas Rådström (S) ‘Ford Fiesta Mk7’
• 6. Jānis Baumanis (LV) ‘Ford Fiesta Mk7’
• Final results Historic Cars:
• 1. Stian Hafsengen (N) Ford RS200 E2
• 2. Olle Arnesson (S) Audi Coupé quattro
• 3. Petter Solberg (N) Ford Escort Mk2
• 4. Stig Blomqvist (S) Ford Falcon V8
• 5. Stig-Olov Walfridsson (S) Volvo 240

Top photo: Sebastian Eriksson made the ‘RallyX On Ice’ event at Höljes his. © QNIGAN/ERC24