Two-time RX2 Series champ joins Euro RX Supercar field this weekend
Swede revving up to begin his challenge on home soil at Höljes
Olsbergs MSE ace looking forward to renewing battle with old rivals
Reigning two-time RX2 International Series presented by Cooper Tires Champion Oliver Eriksson is fired-up to fight for trophies this weekend (21-23 August), as he makes his eagerly-anticipated debut in the FIA European Rallycross Championship on home soil at Höljes in
Sweden.
With titles to his name not only in RX2 but also RallyX on Ice (2018) and GRC Lites (2015), Eriksson is one of the hottest young prospects on the current rallycross scene. The 21-year-old is also a multiple race-winner at Supercar level in RallyX Nordic – a series in which he has twice finished runner-up in the overall standings – and has two World Championship starts on his glittering career CV.
As his prize for clinching back-to-back crowns in the official FIA World RX feeder series in 2018 and 2019 – taking an impressive eight victories from 14 starts – Eriksson will pilot an Olsbergs MSE-prepared Ford Fiesta MK8 at Höljes, with the car adorned by the same Red Bull livery that he sported in RX2 last year, in celebration of his title success.
The Swede triumphed at the Värmland circuit in RallyX Nordic in 2019, and as he prepares to join the fray in Euro RX, he is targeting another top finish in the high-calibre, 16-strong field, which includes the likes of 2017 RallyX Nordic Champion Thomas Bryntesson, former FIA Junior World Rally and WRC 2 Champion Pontus Tidemand and fellow RX2 graduates Sondre Evjen and Ben-Philip Gundersen.
“I’m really excited to make my Euro RX debut this weekend,” enthused Eriksson, who earlier this week was announced as the official test-driver and ambassador for the new FIA eRX2 Championship, which will replace RX2 on the World RX undercard in 2021. “Höljes is not only my home track, but it’s also a legendary circuit and although the atmosphere will clearly be quite different this year without the crowds, racing there is always a thrill.
“It’s clearly going to be an intense weekend, and the competition looks fierce. I know just how quick both Ben-Philip [Gundersen] and Sondre [Evjen] are from RX2, and I had many fun battles with Thomas Bryntesson as we both chased the RallyX Nordic title a couple of years ago – and there are plenty more potential front-runners besides!
“I’m feeling confident, though. We’ve done a lot of work on the Fiesta back at base, and our pace in the RallyX Nordic final at Arvika earlier this month – where we really took the fight to Johan Kristoffersson – showcased the steps forward I have taken with the car. I’m now really looking forward to showing that progress off on the European stage, and to doing RX2 proud.”
You can follow Oliver’s Euro RX debut via the global livestream on the FIA World RX Facebook page.
