One year on from Timmy Hansen’s win in the very first rallycross competition at the Nitro World Games in Utah, USA, it was the turn of his younger brother Kevin to claim the same triumph. The all-American Nitro World Games rallycross circuit is like no other on the planet – and backing up Kevin’s great win was a strong podium result for Timmy, in third. Kevin claimed the win aboard his Peugeot 208 WRX Supercar convincingly from the front row – on his debut at this highly-specialised event – keeping Patrik Sandell’s Subaru behind him throughout a thrilling final. Grazing the walls and leaping 35 metres through the air, Kevin was in a class of his own, despite the limited time available to acclimatise to rallycross’s most extreme circuit. At the finish, the first person to congratulate him was his brother Timmy, continuing the incredible success story this year that has taken them to first and third in the FIA World Rallycross Championship so far as well – with Hansen MJP also leading the teams’ standings. Kevin and Timmy used the same specification of car in Utah that they have on the world series, although the Nitro competition adopted slightly different regulations, and (unlike the world series) the course was mainly gravel. Most of all, the track was distinguished by its rollercoaster crests and colossal 35-metre jump, as well as by the famous selection of global stars such as Ken Block, Scott Speed and Travis Pastrana – who designed the track – taking part. The event’s slightly different format didn’t faze Kevin, who moved straight through to the final with a place on the front row thanks to being in the top two after Friday’s qualifying and heat races. Timmy soon joined him by winning the first of two challenger races on Saturday, and put on a battling display in the final to earn his podium spot.

Timmy Hansen, #21 Peugeot 208 WRX

“I couldn’t be happier for Kevin right now. I know what it feels like to conquer this astonishing circuit, and he put in a brilliant and commanding performance right from the start. From a family and team point of view, it makes me feel very proud. “I’m happy with our own weekend as well, as it’s always good to stand on the podium. It wasn’t quite a perfect race for me in the end and it was always going to be tricky starting off the front row, but we did our best and ended up with a great team result.”

Kevin Hansen, #71 Peugeot 208 WRX

“Wow! Just, wow! I almost can’t find the words to say what I’m feeling now. I expected an amazing weekend on my first outing as a driver at the Nitro World Games, but nothing like this. And it was an amazing team result, with Timmy on the podium too. From the beginning, I had a really good feeling with the car and the circuit, after some good practice sessions, and then we just took it from there. “The final was a great fight, but I made a great start, pushed to the absolute maximum, and managed to bring it home. I need to say a massive thank you to the whole team and everyone who helped to make this incredible weekend possible. I loved every bit of it, and I’m feeling very confident now for the rest of the year going forward!”

Kenneth Hansen, Team Principal

“As a circuit, and a promotional tool for rallycross, this has been a fantastic weekend of competition. Both Kevin and Timmy put in some incredible performances; especially Kevin, who was almost untouchable this weekend. The way that he has stepped up to another level this year is so impressive. “Most of all, we worked together very well as a team throughout the weekend: this is what helped us to secure such a strong result here, and I’m sure it’s something that’s going to help us in the future too.”