Norwegian Knut Ove Børseth joins Swedish Hedströms Motorsport – the team is ready to fight for podiums in 2013.

Knut Ove Børseth is the new driver in Hedströms Motorsport’s two-car team for the 2013 FIA European Rallycross Championship. “This is exciting, and we will be fighting for podiums with both our cars,” says team boss and driver Peter Hedström. The team will enter two equal Škoda Fabia Mk2 SuperCars in the championship. “I’m looking forward to drive a full season of Rallycross again,” says Børseth, who won the TouringCars title of the 2009 European championship.

Finally back in business

“We are taking a step forward by running a two-car team with two good drivers. I look forward to work with Knut Ove Børseth in the team, and I think we can learn a lot from each other. The new RX series is very exciting and I think that both drivers will benefit because we have a two-car team. Michael Jernberg Motorsport is building a new Škoda Fabia Mk2 for me. Last year’s car is completely rebuilt and will be driven by Børseth,” says Hedström. The team has also the ex-Lars Larsson ERC winning Škoda Fabia Mk1 as third car available. “It could be a tough season, so it’s really good to have backup available,” claims Hedström.

Børseth has spent the last two years working to establish the charity ‘Drive for Life’ as a national organisation in Norway, a task that required a lot of time and energy and left a limited amount of time to race. In the last two seasons Børseth has only competed in the Scandinavian rounds of the European championship, in Norway and Sweden.

“It’s good to be back and I am ready for the new season. I have great faith in [championship promoter] IMG’s new plans for Rallycross, and believe that the sport will get a big boost, and I will be there from the start,” says Børseth who believes that a two-car team will be effective and exciting. “I still have a lot to work with ‘Drive for Life’. So racing with Hedströms Motorsport is a solution that gives me an opening to also invest time in Rallycross. The aim is also to involve some of our ‘Drive for Life’ youngsters in events in Scandinavia.”

Experience

Hedströms Motorsport has a lot of experience to bring into the team. Four times European champion Olle Arnesson and driver/constructor Michael Jernberg are key people and have contributed their experience to build the team. “I have a lot to thank Olle and Michael, and especially my dad Anders for. Without them I would have never come as far as I did,” says Hedström who is clear about the objectives for both drivers in what he predicts will be a tough year with every point hard to be earned. “We will fight for places in the finals and for podiums too. Meanwhile, this season might be the toughest ever, and it will be important to collect as many points as possible.”

The first test for the team will be at Lydden Hill in England on February 22.

Photo: Peter Hedström and Knut Ove Børseth agreed upon a deal for a FIA/IMG ERC attempt. © HM/ERC24