Johan Kristoffersson, the most successful man in World Rallycross history, will be back to chase a third title in four years after clinching a deal to drive a Volkswagen Polo GTI RX in World RX 2020.
The Swede outlined his plans to be back in World RX – after his deal to drive for SLR in the World Touring Car Cup fell through – to DirtFish last month. But that initial hope of running in the first couple of World RX rounds has become a full-on title tilt in a car identical to the one he used to dominate the 2017 and ’18 seasons.
In place of the all-conquering PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team comes Kristoffersson’s own family squad: Volkswagen Dealer Team BAUHAUS.
The team, which will concentrate on World RX and not the Swedish Rally Championship, had a launch in Sweden on Wednesday.
Kristoffersson said: “It has been a hectic period and not the easiest path to go along. There have been many alternatives, but right now I feel really satisfied. Rallycross is very close to my heart. All our energy and focus is now on World RX.”
Much as Kristoffersson loved his time with PSRX, he admitted there was something special about working with his own family again.
“It is a bit special to do it with Kristoffersson Motorsport,” he said. “When we entered rallycross in 2014 we set a three-year plan to become world champions. It succeeded with PSRX, where I had two fantastic years. But some of our own staff were on the substitutes bench, sort of. That’s why it’s so extremely nice to do this.”
Kristoffersson’s father Tommy will run the team. And, according to Kristoffersson Sr, there’s only one goal in mind.
“We will be there aiming to win,” said Tommy, “but anyone involved in this business knows it’s not that easy. After all, we’re a private team and the resources are limited, not even close to 2017 and 2018.
“The car will be based in Arvika [in Sweden], not in Hannover, even though we will be buying services from Volkswagen Motorsport.”
Kristoffersson Sr is hoping a strong showing early in the season will be enough to bolster the budget for the second half of the year.
“Good results,” he said, “would give us a chance for extra support for the later part of the season. Of course this puts pressure on our team, but I feel assured we have a very competent squad.
“This has been another of those moments when you don’t take no for an answer. Instead you build arguments strong enough to get a yes in the end. It takes an enormous amount of effort, but we have built our credibility over the years, not least with the delivery from Johan.”
Kristoffersson Jr admits his time away in rallying and racing kept his focus off World RX last season.
He added: “I tend to focus on things I am involved in, but now I have caught up with some of the races I missed and my conclusion is that our opponents took steps forward during 2019. I have learnt from rally and racing [I did last year] and that mix is what makes rallycross.”
While Kristoffersson will be familiar with much of the calendar, Spa-Francorchamps and Abu Dhabi will be new for him.
“Spa looks awesome,” he said. “I like the atmosphere there so I’m looking forward to meeting my colleagues again. I have missed them and I wonder if they feel the same…”
In five of the ten races there will be a single Volkswagen Dealer Team BAUHAUS, but when Euro RX is running alongside World RX, Norwegian Sondre Evjen will drive the Kristoffersson Motorsport-built Polo GTI RX.
