Former World Rallycross Champion Timmy Hansen drove Hansen Motorsport’s all-new Peugeot 208 RX1e to a strong podium finish in the first-ever event for the new-look all-electric FIA World Rallycross Championship at Hell in Norway (August 14). Hansen set the fastest time in the first-ever official timed session for electric World RX, in Free Practice on Saturday morning, then was second quickest in the first and third heats. In heat two however, he stormed to fastest time, showing the potential of the twin-motor, 500kW, four-wheel-drive 208 RX1e machine. Find more photos at Red Bull Content pool. Racing at the picturesque Norwegian venue, the most northerly on the World RX schedule, race victory in the progression session set Hansen up for a strong start in the semi-finals, where he ultimately finished second, before he made an amazing start in the final, followed by an audacious attempt at improving his track position at turn one around the outside, but was forced wide. Still learning how to set up the new electric machines in World RX, like all of the teams in the paddock, Hansen’s 208 wasn’t fully underneath him in the final. However, he used all of his experience to hold on to second position, claim a first podium of the new era for the sport and score strong points towards his championship challenge.                                                     In the sister 208 RX1e, former European Rallycross Champion and World RX race-winner Kevin Hansen also delivered front-running pace, setting third best time throughout the heats and progression race. But, in the semi-final the younger brother was forced off at the opening corner, breaking the car’s left-rear suspension, putting him out of the event. Classified seventh in the final standings, the result didn’t reflect the incredible effort made by all of the Hansen team and its partners, but the squad leaves Hell satisfied by an overall successful weekend. The next rounds of World RX take place next month (September 3-4) at Riga in Latvia.  

QUOTES

KENNETH HANSEN

I’m proud of having taken, not only our team, but also world rallycross as a sport to a ground braking new electric era.

        “I’m proud of having taken not only our team, but also world rallycross as a sport to a ground braking new electric era. In summary of our team we are happy that the cars worked well, we had nothing major go wrong, we are still learning a lot about the setup and of course at the end it was good with a podium for Timmy – that was very successful. Kevin going out with a broken rear suspension arm in the semi-finals was disappointing because he had also done very well through the weekend, but overall with the cars and the first electric race can be considered a great weekend.” TIMMY HANSEN

This is a very good result! I’m very happy for our guys and everyone in this championship for making this happen, there are some electric championships that have started from scratch but we are a World Championship that has gone fully electric.

        “Through qualifying we showed really good pace, that’s so nice when we have built these cars back home in the workshop and it showed we made the right decisions and we are there fighting at the front. For sure there is a lot to go home and work on, but it was a good weekend. In the semi-final and especially the final I thought inside the car I had a problem, I nearly spun a couple of times but I managed to hold off Ole Christian Veiby, he followed me through the joker lap and I managed to hold onto P2 playing it safe to the finish. This is a very good result, I’m very happy for our guys and everyone in this championship for making this happen, there are some electric championships that have started from scratch but we are a World Championship that has gone fully electric. This is only the first race and things will get better still. Well done to Johan [Kristoffersson] for taking the win.” KEVIN HANSEN

It’s a big shame to have lost a chance of fighting for the podium due to contact in the first corner of the semi-final, for sure a podium was very achievable today – the speed was there all weekend.

        “It’s a big shame to have lost a chance of fighting for the podium due to contact in the first corner of the semi-final, for sure a podium was very achievable today – the speed was there all weekend. I’m really pleased for the team, we have worked so hard to be here and to be on the pace is great. We have still much to understand and we are working on that as a team – a team I have full faith in. My day didn’t go as hoped, but I’m very happy generally with the weekend and will take a lot of homework home with me looking to the next race.” Photos by: Jörg Mitter / Red Bull Content pool. Find more photos at Red Bull Content pool.