Andreas Bakkerud has gained a stunning win in the fifth round of the 2016 World Rallycross Championship in his home event in Hell. Timmy Hansen and Matttias Ekstrom complete an all Scandinavian podium.

Norway’s Andreas Bakkeurd has won the 2016 World Rallycross of Norway and the fifth round of this season’s WRX championship, in a weekend of dominance at his home track in Lanke.

The Ford Focus RS driver became the first ever driver to set fastest time in each of the four qualifying sessions in Hell, achieving a once in a ‘blue’ moon performance in Hell in front of huge home support.

Andreas Bakkerud celebrates in front of home fans on ‘Hell’ hill. © JKR/ERC24

Bakkerud lined up alongside Timur Timerzyanov on pole in the final. The Russian had pushed hard throughout the weekend to stay close to Bakkerud in qualification, and produced a stunning drive in semi-final two to fend off WRX points leader Ekstrom.

A great start from Bakkerud in the final, saw the front two split, with Timerzyanov entering the joker-lap first. Bakkerud was briefly sideways into lap two, but recovered well and produced a near flawless drive for the rest of the race. Behind him saw Petter Solberg start on the back-row alongside Sebastien Loeb, the pair both pushed hard, with Solberg making an error during his third lap joker, and eventually being nudged down to fourth behind title competitor Ekstrom.

Blue domination. Andreas Bakkerud leads the final having won every qualifying round in Hell. © JKR/ERC24

In the meantime, Timerzyanov continued to make his way up the rankings, with Timmy Hansen, who started on the second-row exiting his joker-lap in good time. But it was the Russian who was all out of luck, eventually slowing with problems and putting an end to a great weekend for him and his World RX Team Austria team.  Bakkerud finally took his joker on his final lap, exiting with enough time to guide his car through the last few corners of the Lankebanen with crowds cheering as he crossed the line victorious. Timmy Hansen followed closely, with Mattias Ekstrom finishing third and extending his lead in the drivers standings to five points from Solberg.

Bakkerud’s route to the final marked an historic event in the World RX history books. The Norwegian took a clean-sweep with four fastest times in qualifying. Starting semi-final one on pole, once again the Hoonigan Racing Division driver was off to a near perfect start. Despite action behind involving Hansen and Heikkinen, Bakkerud continued un-scathed, taking and holding a start-to-finish lead and win. Loeb continued his good form in Norway, eventually crossing the line third behind teammate Hansen.

Hoonigan’s Andreas Bakkerud looked at home in Hell with the all-new Ford Focus RS RX. © JKR/ERC24

SF1 Result:

1. Andreas Bakkerud
2. Timmy Hansen
3. Sebastien Loeb

In semi-final two, Timur Timerzyanov again proved that he is a force to be reckoned with. The Russian started on pole and faced stiff competition from Ekstrom and Solberg. The pair were hot on the Russian’s tail, but with Timur Timerzyanov flying the pair were unable to prevent him from crossing the line victorious.

SF2 Result:

1. Timur Timerzyanov
2. Mattias Ekstrom
3. Petter Solberg

The championship returns to Rallycross heaven in Holjes (the Magic Weekend) in three weeks time.