Swedes sweep podium at Nitro Rallycross Trois-Rivières 23.01.2023: - Oliver and Kevin Eriksson take top spots in Group E - Robin Larsson finished third, maintaining series lead Scandinavian Stars Dominate First-Ever Rallycross Series on Snow and Ice High Adrenaline Action of Nitro RX Heads Next to Calgary’s

- Oliver and Kevin Eriksson take top spots in Group E

- Robin Larsson finished third, maintaining series lead



Scandinavian Stars Dominate First-Ever Rallycross Series on Snow and Ice

High Adrenaline Action of Nitro RX Heads Next to
Calgary’s Legendary Stampede Park
February 4-5

 


Nitro Rallycross made history this weekend at Quebec’s Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, staging the first rallycross series event held on snow and ice. The conditions could not cool the competition nor quiet the packed venue though. Nitro RX’s elite roster – including Travis Pastrana (USA), Andreas Bakkerud (NOR) and Kris Meeke (GBR) – heated things up as they hit speeds topping 100 mph on an unprecedented course with jumps, snow barriers and an ice surface more than 15 in-thick.



Oliver Eriksson took top honors, the fifth different winner in the season’s first seven rounds. He led a Swedish wall that swept the Group E podium, which included his brother Kevin Eriksson in second, plus current season leader and two-time Nitro RX winner Robin Larsson in third.   
 




Oliver Eriksson quickly gained the momentum on day two, tackling the new wintery environment in Group E’s monstrous FC1-X. This new groundbreaking racecar is capable of producing the electric equivalent of 1070 hp and 811 lb-ft of max torque. Now running on custom-made tires featuring 12 mm metal studs, the cars clawed their way through the slick track and powdery snow.




 
Group E’s All-Electric FC1-X Battled the Elements at Trois-Rivières



Oliver took the checked flag in his opening heat to advance directly to the final and earn pole position, while his brother Kevin followed suit in the second heat, also earning a coveted final spot.



In the final, Oliver Eriksson emerged from a cloud of snow at the start to take the lead. He never looked back, relinquishing P1 only briefly while he took his joker lap. Kevin shadowed Oliver for most of the race as the two brothers went on to top the podium, while Larsson held off Trois-Rivière’s Top Qualifier Fraser McConnell (JAM) to finish third.  



In an interview afterwards, Oliver Erkisson said, “This win feels really good. Being a Swede, everyone built up the pressure for us Scandinavians to perform well. But this [Nitro RX] is something completely different for us. This was totally new. Every lap out there is a fight. Today though, we figured it out and we got the job done.”



Earlier this season, Eriksson won Top Qualifier in his home country earlier and has been a regular threat to win a trophy, but this marks his first Nitro RX victory. “It feels so good. I’ve been so close [in prior rounds]. We’ve been up there but haven’t been able to quite cap it off.



Today though we were able to execute. Thanks to the OMSE team: I had some mechanical issues, including the prop shaft which broke on lap two of the final. But luckily, with the all-wheel drive of the FC1-X, I still had motors in the front to pull me around. It was a struggle for sure. But we were able to work it out.”



Eriksson aims to repeat in round eight at Calgary’s legendary Stampede Park on February 4-5. “Calgary is going to be a different challenge. We only have two weeks to go for that, and we need to get the cars ready… Each track is so different. Everything from how thick or how hard the ice gets.”



Eriksson and OMSE also have their sights set on series hardware. “We’ve closed the gap [in the championship]. Robin is still ahead. But for sure the podium is in sight, and I’m not going to stop until I get one.”

 


From L-R: Fans thronged Trois-Rivières for Nitro RX; Travis Pastrana (USA); Another look at the Quebec fans





Group E Final Results (Round 7 – Trois Rivières):
Position    Car #    Name    Nation    Team

1    16    Oliver Eriksson    SWE    OMSE
2    23    Kevin Eriksson     SWE    OMSE
3    4    Robin Larsson    SWE    DRR JC / RX Cartel
4    35    Fraser McConnell    JAM    DRR
5    42    Oliver Bennett    GBR    XITE Energy Racing
6    21    Conner Martell    USA    Vermont SportsCar
7    13    Andreas Bakkerud    NOR    DRR JC / RX Cartel
8    199    Travis Pastrana    USA    Vermont SportsCar
9    62    Kris Meeke    GBR    XITE Energy Racing



While he did not take home a third trophy, Larsson stayed on the podium – for the sixth time in seven rounds – to keep a firm grip on the series lead. Bakkerud and McConnell also remain in second and third place respectively on the series table, while Oliver Eriksson’s victory closes the gap between him and the top three. Pastrana, still in fifth, will need to turn it up in order to remain in the hunt.    





Group E Championship Standings:


Pos    Car #    Name    Nation    Team    UK    SWE    MN    LA    PHX 1    PHX 2    TR3    Total


1    4    Robin Larsson    SWE    DRR JC     58
(1)    49
(2)    54
(2)    47
(2)    35 (5)    56 (1)    45 (3)    344
2    13    Andreas Bakkerud    NOR    DRR JC    49
(2)    56
(1)    35
(4)    45
(3)    45
(3)    24 (8)    32 (7)    286
3    35    Fraser McConnell    JAM    DRR    36
(4)    36
(4)    42
(3)    58
(1)    29 (6)    32 (6)    43 (4)    276
4    16    Oliver Eriksson    SWE    OMSE    30
(6)    31
(8)    26
(8)    35
(6)    36 (4)    54 (2)    53 (1)    265
5    199    Travis Pastrana    USA    Vermont SportsCar    29
(7)    21
(9)    53
(1)    1
(8)    58 (1)    35 (5)    24 (8)    221
6    21    Conner Martell    USA    Vermont SportsCar    18
(10)    32
(6)    27
(7)    27
(7)    47 (2)    18 (10)    29 (6)    198
7    42    Oliver Bennett    GBR    XITE     21
(9)    17
(10)    33
(5)    36
(4)    26 (9)    26 (7)    33 (5)    192
8    23    Kevin Eriksson    SWE    OMSE    -    -    6
(10)    35
(5)    24 (8)    36 (4)    47 (2)    148
9    62    Kris Meeke    GBR    XITE     29
(8)    26
(7)    -    -    27 (7)    43 (3)    21 (9)    146
10    52    Ole Christian Veiby    NOR    JC    32
(5)    32
(5)    -    -    -    -    -    64
11    68    Niclas Gronholm    FIN    OMSE    42
(3)    15
(11)    -    -    -    -    -    57
12    3    Johan Kirstoffersson     SWE    DRR JC    -    43
(3)    -                    43
13    9    Chase Elliott    USA        -    -    -    -    14 (11)    20 (9)    -    34
14    2    Austin Cindric    USA        -    -    -    -    17 (10)    14 (11)    -    31
15    15     Andrew Carlson    USA    DRR    -    -     30
(6)    -    -    -    -    30
16    22    Jenson Button    GBR     XITE     -    -    21
(9)    -    -    -    -    21




In the Group E team standings, DRR JC continues to hold the top spot, while OMSE moves into second place. Vermont SportsCar stays in third.




Group E Teams Championship Standings:
Position    Team Name    UK    SWE    MN    LA    PHX 1    PHX 2    TR3    Total
1    DRR JC    107    105    89    92    80    80    77    630
2    OMSE    72    46    32    70    60    90    100    470
3    Vermont SportsCar    47    53    80    28    105    53    53    419
4    DRR    68    79    72    58    29    32    43    381
5    XITE Energy Racing    50    43    54    36    53    69    54    359




For more racing thrills, Nitro RX Trois-Rivères also featured special side-by-sides and rally contests featuring homegrown Canadian talent:



Side-By-Sides Canada Final (Round 2):
Finish    Car #    Name    Nation
1    319    Mark Meyer    CAN
2    84    Jonathan Thiffault    CAN
3    28    Martin Villard    CAN
4    718    Joey Morrison    CAN
5    111    Daniel Tardiff    CAN
6    18    Jacques Gosselin    CAN



Rally 2WD (Round 2):
Finish    Car #    Name    Nation
1    72    Martin Langlois    CAN
2    6    Eric Dufour    CAN
3    12    Eric Courchesne    CAN
4    96    Marc Antoine Camirand    CAN



Rally 4WD (Round 2):
Finish    Car #    Name    Nation
1    25    Jerome Mailoux    CAN
2    29    Alex Moreau    CAN
3    54    Joel Mailoux    CAN





Up Next:


Nitro RX will return to Canada on February 4-5 for more action on snow and ice at Calgary’s iconic Stampede Park.  The special setting is sure to create dramatic moments and compelling visuals that will resonate both in the stands and on screen.



And with its unique open paddock layout, Nitro Rallycross will offer Calgary fans an immersive atmosphere where they can get a behind-the-scenes look at the teams, drivers and cars. This includes the all-new Nitro RX fan experience, packed with an entertainment stage featuring live music, a gaming zone, a concession area with local food trucks and an electric RC activation.



The event will also feature a fan autograph session, open to all attendees, that allows fans to meet the world’s leading drivers in person.



To experience Nitro RX Calgary live, tickets can be purchased at nitrorallycross.com.



For fans outside of Alberta can also watch live on Peacock in the U.S. as well as on YouTube worldwide.



Nitro Rallycross partners include A SHOC Energy, Yokohama Tire and myenergi.


 
Greg Terlizzi, Thrill One Sports & Entertainment