FIA eRX2 prize drive on offer to RX2 Champion at Nysum next weekend 29.08.2020: • Fierce battle in prospect around demanding Danish circuit • Subscriptions open for global livestream; ‘Early Bird’ offer available here

•    Fierce battle in prospect around demanding Danish circuit


•    Subscriptions open for global livestream; ‘Early Bird’ offer available here






At Nysum in Denmark next weekend (4-6 September), the winner of the 2020 RX2 International Series presented by Cooper Tires will be rewarded with a fully-funded, single-round drive in next year’s FIA eRX2 Championship – one of the biggest prizes in the sport, and one with the potential to transform that driver’s career. The contenders can now be revealed.
 


The entry list is a tantalising blend of seasoned Supercar Lites competitors, RallyX Nordic regulars, talented young guns, rookies – and, intriguingly, one former RX2 front-runner back for another shot at glory.
 


The battle, moreover, promises to be fierce, given the excitement surrounding the new electric FIA eRX2 Championship – which will replace RX2 on the FIA World Rallycross Championship undercard in 2021 – and the monetary value of the prize, equivalent to €30.000. It is, beyond doubt, a career-changing opportunity.
 


With the event sharing the stage with the RallyX Nordic season finale, fans will be able to enjoy more than ten hours of high-octane entertainment via the global, non-geoblocked livestream, starring the ‘Voice of Rallycross’ Andrew Coley, studio host Neil Cole and esteemed British journalist Hal Ridge. ‘Early Bird’ subscriptions are available for just 129 SEK (c. €12,99) until the end of August, after which the price increases to 199 SEK (c. €19,99). The subscription link is here.
 




The full RX2 entry list for Nysum can be found below, and here’s a quick rundown of each of the protagonists...
 



Gustav Johansson

Johansson only made his debut in rallycross four years ago and is a rookie in the Supercar Lites class – which forms the basis for RX2 – but the Swede has already demonstrated that he is a fast learner by reaching the final last time out in RallyX Nordic at Arvika with his VGracing squad. A dark horse.
 




Grégory Fosse

Following five seasons of Super1600 competition in his native France – achieving four top five finishes and reaching the final eight times from nine starts in 2018 – Fosse is preparing to make his maiden RX2 appearance at Nysum. The 38-year-old tested the Supercar Lites car at Lohéac last summer and is excited to pursue his learning curve in Denmark.
 




Martin Jonsson

Jonsson first sampled Supercar Lites machinery during a test day at Strängnäs Motorstadion in 2017, and since then, the Swede has made rapid progress. Now a RallyX Nordic regular, the 33-year-old is improving with every outing and will be eager to add to his experience next weekend.
 




Mats Oskarsson

The ‘elder statesman’ of the field, Oskarsson drives with the enthusiasm and panache of a man half his age – as his recent second-place finish in RallyX Nordic at Höljes went to prove. Particularly quick when the weather turns tricky, if conditions are changeable at Nysum, the 43-year-old Swede will be right in the mix.
 



Jesse Kallio

In 2019, Kallio made his RX2 Series debut and finished on the podium in each of his first five outings, en route to third position in the end-of-season standings. He also has two RallyX Nordic triumphs on his career CV, and will enter the event as a leading contender for championship glory in that series, too. Can the ‘Flying Finn’ double up by clinching two crowns on the same weekend?
 



Simon Olofsson

Something of a Supercar Lites veteran, Olofsson – like Kallio – is targeting two titles in Denmark. There has never been any question mark over the Swede’s speed, as a winner in both RallyX Nordic and RX2’s predecessor RX Lites, but he has often found himself on the receiving end of ill-fortune. Having turned a corner with victory in the 2020 RallyX Nordic curtain-raiser at Höljes last month, is this finally his time?
 




Martin Enlund

Enlund might only have one prior start in RX2 under his belt, but it was a notable one. At Höljes last summer, the Swede stunned his rivals with a brilliant performance beyond his years, going third-quickest in Q1 and posting the four fastest laps of his semi-final in a breathtaking recovery drive following a first corner spin. Arriving off the back of his breakthrough podium in the class at Arvika, with only an outside chance of lifting the RallyX Nordic laurels, the 19-year-old can focus fully on RX2 next weekend.
 




Henrik Krogstad

Arguably the field’s form man, Krogstad returns to RX2 with a point to prove. The Norwegian was set to score his maiden victory in the series at Lohéac in 2018, only to spin the win away with two corners to go. Following a year’s absence from the track, he is back in 2020 with the Hansen brothers’ #YellowSquad and fulfilling the outstanding potential he showed two seasons ago. Will Nysum be his redemption?
 



Jimmie Walfridson

A member of one of rallycross’ famous dynasties, Walfridson is a former Norwegian Crosskart Champion and has spent recent seasons proving his pace at Supercar Lites level. Competing for front-running outfit JC Raceteknik, the Swede is a consistent contender and sure to be there-or-thereabouts.
 



Niklas Aneklev

Aneklev followed a somewhat unconventional route into rallycross, having competed in motorcycle enduro racing from a young age. The Swede swapped two wheels for four in 2019 as he switched to Supercar Lites with Olsbergs MSE, and after a learning year, he is now increasingly climbing the leaderboard and challenging his more experienced rivals.
 



Guillaume De Ridder


From a background in karting and rallying, De Ridder turned his attentions to rallycross in 2017 when he joined RX2 for the series’ inaugural campaign. The Belgian was immediately successful, with a hat-trick of rostrum finishes paving the way for a title challenge the following season, dovetailing his bid with a championship-winning year in RallyX Nordic. After competing at World Championship Supercar level with the GCK Academy in 2019, De Ridder is revving up to give RX2 one more shot.
 



Hans-Ola Frøshaug


Frøshaug – the son of Supercar driver Ola Frøshaug – was active in the Scandinavian discipline of folkrace from the age of 16, prior to contesting the NEZ Cup in Latvia and Denmark and subsequently stepping up to RallyX Nordic in 2019. During his learning year, the Norwegian reached the semi-final five times from seven starts, and he returns to Supercar Lites competition at Nysum feeling better-prepared and ready for the fight.
 



Dan Skočdopole


Off the back of a successful karting career, Skočdopole cut his rallycross teeth in Italian and German competitions, before joining RallyX Nordic as a guest entry in the Supercar class for the 2019 season finale at Tierp. Embarking upon a full campaign at Supercar Lites level this year, the Czech teenager impressed with his raw speed on his debut with #YellowSquad at Höljes last month.
 



Entry List
 
8    Gustav Johansson    SWE    VGracing    Supercar Lites
9    Grégory Fosse    FRA    Olsbergs MSE    Supercar Lites
10    Martin Jonsson    SWE    Alfta Racing Team    Supercar Lites
11    Mats Oskarsson    SWE    MORX    Supercar Lites
47    Jesse Kallio    FIN    Olsbergs MSE    Supercar Lites
52    Simon Olofsson    SWE    STS RX    Supercar Lites
60    Martin Enlund    SWE    Olsbergs MSE    Supercar Lites
77    Henrik Krogstad    NOR    #YellowSquad    Supercar Lites
90    Jimmie Walfridson    SWE    Helmia Motorsport    Supercar Lites
91    Niklas Aneklev    SWE    Olsbergs MSE    Supercar Lites
96    Guillaume De Ridder    BEL    Olsbergs MSE    Supercar Lites
99    Hans-Ola Frøshaug    NOR    JC Raceteknik    Supercar Lites
999    Dan Skočdopole    CZE    #YellowSquad    Supercar Lites
 



 

Russell Atkins - photos RX2