Off-Road Prize Giving: Champions honoured at ACCR event in Prague
The Automobile Club of the Czech Republic (ACCR) hosted the FIA’s Off-Road Prize Giving in Prague this weekend.
Stars from the worlds of Rallycross, Autocross and Cross Car gathered in Prague to celebrate 2023’s Off Road Champions.
The event was also an opportunity to recognise the growing success of Off-Road Championships, many of which now attract major global audiences and support increasingly strong grassroots programmes.
Opening the ceremony through a recorded video message, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “Off-Road disciplines are very important in the FIA Portfolio – playing a key role in our efforts to drive grassroots, sustainable motorsport around the globe. I am committed to further developing and supporting Off Road Championships over the coming years, through 2024 and beyond.”
ACCR President Jan Šťovíček added: “We are very proud to host the FIA Off-Road family celebration of champions, seminar and commission meetings. Autocross and Rallycross are very traditional disciplines in our country, our region, and all Europe. I am proud ACCR is a leader in this field.”
At the event, Kristofferson Motorsport took home the FIA World Rallycross Championship for Teams prize, with driver Johan Kristofferson claiming the Drivers’ Championship. This was his sixth FIA World Rallycross Championship title – clinched during a season where he also took his 40th career victory.
Meanwhile, Anton Marklund was named FIA European Rallycross Champion – RX1, while Nils Andersson took victory in RX2e and David Litwinowicz in RX3. Notably, Michaela Ahlin Kottulinsky claimed third in RX2e – the best result of any female competitor.
In the FIA Autocross categories, Czech natives Petr Nikodem, Jakub Novotný and Arnost Florian took home the trophies in Superbuggy, Buggy1600 and Juniorbuggy – a clean sweep for the Czech drivers on their home turf. But it wasn’t quite enough for the Nations’ Cup – with France claiming victory after a powerful team showing last season.
In Cross Car, Ivan Piña Chincilla claimed the Championship, while young Belgian driver Emilien Allart received the Academy Trophy.
Organisers were also recognised at the Off-Road event – with Saint Igny de Vers named as Best Autocross Organiser, and World RX Sweden as Best Rallycross organiser.
President of the Off-Road Commission Wlodek Szaniawski distributed the evening’s prizes. He said: “This evening’s event is testament to the strength of Off-Road disciplines. I am delighted to see such a strong field of winners, and such robust competition across every category.”
The full list of winners can be found below.
FIA Off Road Prize Giving Winners
FIA World Rallycross Championship for Teams Champion
Kristofferson Motorsport
FIA World Rallycross Championship for Drivers
Champion: Johan Kristofferson
2nd overall: Kevin Hansen
3rd overall: Niclas Grönholm
FIA European Rallycross Championship – RX1
Champion: Anton Marklund
2nd: Jānis Baumanis
3rd: Patrick O’Donovan
FIA Rallycross Championship – RX2e
Champion: Nils Andersson
2nd: Isak Sjökvist
3rd: Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinksy
FIA European Rallycross Championship- RX3
Champion: David Litwinowicz
2nd: Espen Isaksætre
3rd: Nils Volland
FIA World Rallycross Championship – Best Organiser
Winner: World RX of Sweden
FIA European Autocross Championship – Superbuggy
Champion: Petr Nikodem
2nd: Vincent Mercier
3rd: Robert Theuil
FIA European Autocross Championship – Buggy1600
Champion: Jakub Novotný
2nd: Markus Wibbeler
3rd: Kevin Peters
FIA European Autocross Championship – Juniorbuggy
Champion: Arnost Florian
2nd: Nathan Ottink
3rd: Malone Feuillade
FIA European Autocross Championship – Nations Cup
Winner: France
FIA European Cross Car Championship
Champion: Ivan Piña Chinchilla
2nd: David Méat
3rd: Valentin Comte
FIA Cross Car Academy Trophy
Winner: Emilien Allart
2nd: Diego Martínez González
3rd: Lucas Cartelle
Best Autocross Organiser
Winner: Saint-Igny de Vers (France)