Johan Kristoffersson has secured victory in the second round of the 2025 FIA World Rallycross Championship in the most challenging of conditions on home soil in Höljes. With the drivers having battled through constantly changing grip levels as rain came and went throughout the day, a huge deluge hit the remote Swedish circuit just as the cars lined up on the grid. Despite this, Johan kept his cool and rounded out a perfect weekend, having finished every session he competed in at the head of the field. 

It is the seven-time champion’s 6th World RX win at the legendary circuit, and certainly one that will long be remembered for the incredible action throughout. While Kristoffersson managed to stay out of trouble up front, the battling behind was absolutely intense. 

After winning the opening round in Portugal, CE Dealer Team’s Niclas Grönholm has put in another strong performance this weekend. Despite not having the ultimate pace of the #1 KMS machine, the Finn has been quick all weekend, never once dropping outside of the top three positions throughout his qualifying heats and semi-finals. In the final, he made a strong start to slot into second place, and despite several huge moments where it looked as though he would slide off the circuit, he managed to keep the chasing pack behind to come home second. 

It was much more of a rollercoaster for the Hansen Motorsport brothers Timmy and Kevin, who had not been on front-running pace earlier in the weekend, but come the final were right in the thick of it. They both bolted for the joker lap right out of the blocks, along with Juha Rytkönen, who had been very impressive in these mixed conditions since the start of the event. The three clashed as the deluge of water turned the gravel sections of the 1.2km track into a mudbath, but it was the Hansen pair who emerged ahead of Rytkönen on that opening lap. 

The sustainably-fuelled PGRX car would eventually recover to fourth place ahead of Patrick O’Donovan, who despite having struggled throughout the earlier running was right in the mix in the opening laps. The reigning European Rallycross Champion would suffer a puncture late on that put paid to his hopes of a flying finish. 

The battle ahead between the Hansens raged on as the rain continued to fall, with both of them fighting to keep their EV machines pointing in the right direction. Kevin temporarily lost that battle on the fast back section of the circuit on lap four and spun a spectacular full 360 degrees, somehow ending up pointing in the right direction in what will go down as one of the most impressive saves in recent memory. While it was a save for the ages, his heroics were sadly short lived, as he was forced to pull off the track with what looked like a loss of power just a few corners later. 

It was a final race that lived up to the expectations set by a sensational weekend of rallycross action in what is the heartland of the championship. Despite the rain that came and went throughout, over 20,000 fans were determined to stay to the end and watch their hometown heroes fight for victory. 

There is just one weekend off now before the FIA World Rallycross Championship resumes in Nyirád, Hungary for Round 3. Grönholm maintains his position at the top of the points standings, with Kristoffersson having jumped to second ahead of Timmy Hansen. With hot, dry and dusty conditions expected in Hungary – it will be quite a different challenge to this Magic Weekend in Höljes. 

Timmy Hansen, Hansen Motorsport, said: “It was carnage! Once I saw there was a big gap in front and I was holding third, I was just praying in every water splash where I was fully aquaplaning that I could keep it on the apex. Third place today with having a bad start and no pace all weekend, I’m pretty happy with the podium!

Niclas Grönholm, CE Dealer Team, said: “It was crazy, I’ve never driven in these kinds of conditions. It was aquaplaning everywhere, but I managed to get quite a big gap after a few laps so could actually take it easy and avoid the mistakes. I’m really happy with the P2, it was all we could hope for this weekend. We started off very poorly in practice and we didn’t have the pace over the weekend, so it’s a great amount of pace considering that, and I’m happy.”

Johan Kristoffersson, Kristoffersson Motorsport, said: “These are definitely very important points, but everything in my mind right now is that crazy final! I’ve been in Höljes when there was a lot of water and heavy rain, but this was so far the most crazy final I’ve ever driven here. The first two laps were really difficult trying to read the conditions, but at the same time I struggled to find the rhythm and I knew that it was going to be super hard for the guys behind with their windscreens covered in mud. I think that was the most difficult rallycross final I’ve ever driven!”


Click here to view the provisional results from Round 2 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Click here to view the provisional Championship Standings. 

Belevskiy goes from almost zero to complete hero in remarkable EuroRX1 turnaround

Gurklys dominates in Euro RX3 as Røsrud’s Höljes heartbreak shocks Swedish crowd

Day two of the World RX of Sweden mirrored the first: cold, wet, and relentless. But the weather did little to dampen spirits at the iconic Höljesbanan, where die-hard fans braved the elements to witness an unforgettable showdown.

Markus Røsrud had looked untouchable through qualifying, topping every session to secure pole. The young Norwegian was the clear favourite heading into the semis, until disaster struck. A blistering launch turned into heartbreak when contact with Portugal’s André Sousa left Røsrud with damage and a penalty that knocked him out of contention.

With Røsrud gone, the door was wide open, and Rytis Gurklys didn’t hesitate. Launching perfectly from the front row, the Lithuanian pulled clear in the rain soaked track, making the most of the visibility up front to open a commanding 10-second gap. Even after taking his joker lap, Gurklys remained untouchable, cruising to a statement win at the sport’s most legendary venue.

Behind him, chaos reigned. The treacherous track delivered the kind of wheel-to-wheel drama Höljes is known for, with Nicolas Geleyns, Dominik Senegacnik, and Libor Teješ locked in a furious scrap for the podium. Geleyns impressed early, using wide, drier lines to gain ground, and despite a wild last-lap slide nearly costing him, he defended brilliantly to take second.

Tiago Ferreira’s final started in misery, gripless off the line and compounding his woes with a barrier tap on an early joker. Yet as others battled, Ferreira quietly carved through the pack, finishing in fourth position, retaking third in the dying moments after Senegacnik was handed a two-second post-race penalty.

Despite the downpour, the World RX of Sweden delivered another classic. Gurklys’ dominant drive, combined with a dramatic midfield battle, thrilled the soaked crowd and showed once again why Höljes remains the crown jewel of the Rallycross calendar.

Race winner Rytis Gurklys said: "I’m absolutely thrilled with today’s result. Standing on the top step here at Höljes for the first time is an incredible feeling, this place is legendary. I think this might be my favourite weekend of the year. The fans have been unbelievable; you really feel their energy out on track. It’s true what they say, Höljes is something special."

Runner-up Nicolas Geleyns commented: "Finishing P2 at Höljes is amazing, I’m so happy! Just a year ago I was racing in Europe for the first time, so to be on the podium here already feels surreal. It was a tough weekend with the weather and track conditions, which makes this result even sweeter. Massive thanks to the team, to everyone who made this possible, and to all the fans around the world, especially those cheering me on from Antigua!"

Third-place finisher Tiago Ferreira said: "Höljes is such a beautiful, challenging race, but it’s been a tough road to get here. The track is technical even in the dry, and the rain just made everything harder. After a heavy crash yesterday, the team worked incredibly hard to rebuild the car overnight. To come back and finish on the podium after all that, it’s a really special way to end the weekend." 

Click here to see the provisional results from Round 2 of the FIA European Rallycross Championship - RX3

Click here to see the provisional Championship Standings.