World RX: ‘Battle of Technologies’ set for mega close battle in Montalegre
On paper, Johan Kristoffersson looks to have an advantage heading into the World RX of Portugal – after all, he’s won there four times and currently leads the FIA World Rallycross Championship having won four out of the six rounds in his sustainably-fuelled combustion engined KMS – HORSE Powertrain Volkswagen Polo KMS 601 RX.
However, the Circuito Internacional de Montalegre is situated high in the Vila Real mountains (some 1,000m above sea level) and with its potentially power-sapping altitude and the longest main straight on the calendar, could the ‘Battle of Technologies’ pendulum swing in favour of the all-electric cars in Portugal this weekend?
Kristoffersson’s team-mate Ole Christian Veiby hopes not, as he attempts to take his maiden World RX win after scoring five consecutive podium finishes this year.
Anthony Pelfrene, who has put in some impressive performances in his JDM Raptor Racing Peugeot 208 WRX, and René Münnich, who has been on inspired form in his All-Inkl Muennich Motorsport SEAT Ibiza, hope not either.
But the two races that Kristoffersson hasn’t won this year have been taken by EV cars – beginning with Niclas Grönholm in Hungary.
Both he and his CE Dealer Team by Volvo Construction Equipment team-mate Klara Andersson have been super-quick this season, with only untimely misfortune intervening to prevent more wins. It’s also a circuit both enjoy racing at, with Grönholm having won there in 2022.
And then of course you have the formidable Hansen World RX Team. Its run of bad luck came to an end last time out in Belgium when Timmy Hansen won and brother Kevin finished on the podium in both double header races. The Peugeot 208 RX1e pair will have an extra spring in their step as they race for another top spot in Portugal.
More than 50 drivers will race at Montalegre – including the RX2e, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 support categories which will crown their champions this weekend.
Swedes Nils Andersson and Isak Sjökvist will duel it out for glory in RX2e, while Patrick O’Donovan (Team RX Racing Peugeot 208) aims to fend off Yury Belevskiy (Volland Racing Audi S1) in Euro RX1.
The lion’s share of local interest, however, will be reserved for Euro RX3, after João Ribeiro cut the gap to fellow Audi driver Nils Volland at the top of the table to a single point when he prevailed in Belgium last month. The Baltar native is one of a record-breaking 13 home heroes set to take to the track during World RX of Portugal.
Fans can view the race action on both days at Rally.TV.
