After a difficult end to the 2023 season and a long winter break, the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship is finally set to begin at the Höljes Motorstadion. This will be the first time that the electric powered rallycross cars will go up against their sustainably-fuelled internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, as the opening round of the championship heralds the arrival of the new “Battle of Technologies” era of world rallycross.
All of the drivers in this photo from Sweden 2023 will be returning in 2024. Credit: Andre Lavadinho / @World / Red Bull Content Pool
New For 2024
After two years of the all-electric era, the world rallycross championship is allowing ICE cars back onto the grid. The top class of rallycross racing will now feature electric cars going into battle against ICE machinery in an exhilarating battle. “I love this, it’s going to be very exciting” 2019 world champion Timmy Hansen told The Checkered Flag. “For the fans, they can root for combustion, electric, whatever they want. They can choose their favourites. It doesn’t have to be electric and that’s the only option.”
The other major change for 2024 is an overhaul of the points system. Each race event will comprise of up to four heat races, two semi-finals and one final. No change there. However, what is new is that championship points will be scored every time the cars race on track. The winner on track in each heat race will earn 5 points, down to 1 for the driver who comes 5th. In each semi-final and final, 10 points will be awarded to the winner, 8 for 2nd, down to 1 point for 6th. “To race for position and for points a lot more, a good or bad heat influences the championship a lot more” Kevin Hansen told The Checkered Flag. In explaining the impact this change will have on the action, Hansen said “you have to be a bit more sensible, but also you have to be aggressive and take your space because you do get championship points every time you’re on track. That will be very fun.”
Timmy and Kevin Hansen are ready to electrify the grid once again. Credit: Rallycross Promoter GmbH / Red Bull Content Pool
“Magic Weekend”
The legendary “Magic Weekend” in Sweden is the perfect setting for such an exciting and innovative weekend of rallycross action. Like all events on the 2024 calendar, this is a double-header weekend, meaning that a full round of the world championship will take place on each day. This weekend is always one of the best attended on the rallycross calendar, with up to 50,000 spectators packing the grandstands and spectator areas. With its iconic corners such as the sweeping Velodrome leading onto the very fast downhill, gravel back straight, Höljes is a perennial favourite with both fans and drivers alike.
KMS – Horse Powertrain’s new VW Polo KMS 601 RX. Credit: Rallycross Promoter GmbH / Red Bull Content Pool
It’s also the home race for several drivers, including six-time world rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson. The Swedish superstar was the first major contender to announce his switch to ICE, with his newly named KMS – HORSE Powertrain team fielding two VW Polo KMS 601 RX cars. His intentions were clear from the first day of testing (1 July) when he topped the timesheet in his new Polo with a time of 42.854 seconds. He will be partnered by long-term teammate Ole Christian Veiby, still without a win in world rallycross, but confident that he’s in the machinery to achieve that this year.
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