Hansen World RX Team targets comeback at legendary ‘Magic Weekend’
The last time the FIA World Rallycross Championship visited Höljes in Sweden for the legendary ‘Magic Weekend’ event, the Hansen World RX team finished 1-2 on the podium.
That was in 2021, and after a year away from the venue, the most successful team in rallycross history is hungrier than ever to repeat that performance on home soil.
Last time out in Norway, the Hansen squad suffered its worst-ever result in 100 races of the World Rallycross Championship, despite strong pace. 2019 World RX Champion Timmy Hansen was forced off track and his all-electric Peugeot 208 RX1e had a ‘blue light’ warning, meaning the battery pack needed to be checked by the supplier. Then, while battling for a place in the final, 2016 Euro RX Champion Kevin Hansen picked up a puncture, dropping him to the back of the field.
But, Norway is in the past. The team delivered arguably its strongest pace ever in World RX’s all-electric era at the Hell circuit, and, returning to the venue where the World RX teams took part in the first official electric test last year, the Hansen squad is going all-in at Höljes to claim a top home result.
The team members have again delivered an exceptional effort to be ready for the squad’s home event this weekend, where the team claimed its first outright win at the circuit since 2012 when Timmy Hansen crossed the line ahead of brother and team-mate Kevin Hansen two years ago.
With the constantly-evolving four-wheel-drive 500kW RX1e machines at their disposal this weekend, all eyes are on a repeat performance at the legendary Swedish event – arguably the most famous rallycross event in the world for its amazing racing on track, and fantastic atmosphere in the surrounding Varmland forests.
You can watch the action unfold on the World RX All-Live RX+ service (via the World RX website) and via the Hansen team’s social media channels.
Kenneth Hansen said: “We didn’t have a very successful weekend in Norway, even though I think we went in a good direction with the car and were quite fast on track. But, even if we were better than before, the result was maybe our worst ever, finishing at the bottom of the results list. Looking at the positives, we can only move forward and we are very much looking forward to our home event.
“We need to take another step to be able to fight for wins, and we are working so hard for that – that is our goal. The weather for the weekend looks a bit unpredictable, but let’s hope that also helps to take us forward.”
Kevin Hansen said: “I’m really excited for Höljes and the ‘Magic Weekend’. Finally, we are back here after a year off and last time we had a 1-2, so it’s going to be fantastic. Höljes has had more pre-sales than ever before so we are really exciting to bring our package and the fully-electric World Championship to our home crowd.
“I think last time in Norway we showed really good potential, but of course I would prefer to say last time out was a victory, so hopefully going to the UK next month we are able to say that about Höljes. I feel really confident; the track is amazing and I can’t wait to race in front of the Swedish crowd again. We’re getting stronger and we’re not far away from a victory!”
Timmy Hansen said: “The ‘Magic Weekend’. Sweden. Home race. It’s always a massive crowd, and now the cars are faster than ever. It’s very exciting to be driving at Höljes again. Of course, I’m hoping to get back on form. Two ‘blue lights’ from two big accidents was not the ideal start to the season. If you look closer though, the pace has been good and I’m really hoping to strike back on home soil. I have nothing to lose so we’re going to go flat out and see how far we can get.”
That was in 2021, and after a year away from the venue, the most successful team in rallycross history is hungrier than ever to repeat that performance on home soil.
Last time out in Norway, the Hansen squad suffered its worst-ever result in 100 races of the World Rallycross Championship, despite strong pace. 2019 World RX Champion Timmy Hansen was forced off track and his all-electric Peugeot 208 RX1e had a ‘blue light’ warning, meaning the battery pack needed to be checked by the supplier. Then, while battling for a place in the final, 2016 Euro RX Champion Kevin Hansen picked up a puncture, dropping him to the back of the field.
But, Norway is in the past. The team delivered arguably its strongest pace ever in World RX’s all-electric era at the Hell circuit, and, returning to the venue where the World RX teams took part in the first official electric test last year, the Hansen squad is going all-in at Höljes to claim a top home result.
The team members have again delivered an exceptional effort to be ready for the squad’s home event this weekend, where the team claimed its first outright win at the circuit since 2012 when Timmy Hansen crossed the line ahead of brother and team-mate Kevin Hansen two years ago.
With the constantly-evolving four-wheel-drive 500kW RX1e machines at their disposal this weekend, all eyes are on a repeat performance at the legendary Swedish event – arguably the most famous rallycross event in the world for its amazing racing on track, and fantastic atmosphere in the surrounding Varmland forests.
You can watch the action unfold on the World RX All-Live RX+ service (via the World RX website) and via the Hansen team’s social media channels.
Kenneth Hansen said: “We didn’t have a very successful weekend in Norway, even though I think we went in a good direction with the car and were quite fast on track. But, even if we were better than before, the result was maybe our worst ever, finishing at the bottom of the results list. Looking at the positives, we can only move forward and we are very much looking forward to our home event.
“We need to take another step to be able to fight for wins, and we are working so hard for that – that is our goal. The weather for the weekend looks a bit unpredictable, but let’s hope that also helps to take us forward.”
Kevin Hansen said: “I’m really excited for Höljes and the ‘Magic Weekend’. Finally, we are back here after a year off and last time we had a 1-2, so it’s going to be fantastic. Höljes has had more pre-sales than ever before so we are really exciting to bring our package and the fully-electric World Championship to our home crowd.
“I think last time in Norway we showed really good potential, but of course I would prefer to say last time out was a victory, so hopefully going to the UK next month we are able to say that about Höljes. I feel really confident; the track is amazing and I can’t wait to race in front of the Swedish crowd again. We’re getting stronger and we’re not far away from a victory!”
Timmy Hansen said: “The ‘Magic Weekend’. Sweden. Home race. It’s always a massive crowd, and now the cars are faster than ever. It’s very exciting to be driving at Höljes again. Of course, I’m hoping to get back on form. Two ‘blue lights’ from two big accidents was not the ideal start to the season. If you look closer though, the pace has been good and I’m really hoping to strike back on home soil. I have nothing to lose so we’re going to go flat out and see how far we can get.”
in World RX
