VW Sweden ready to defend crown

2018 WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP: POLO R SUPERCAR LAUNCHED IN AUTOSTADT

Johan Kristoffersson, Petter Solberg behind wheel of revised Polo R models.

The factory PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team has launched its 2018 World Rallycross Championship title defence with the launch of its new Volkswagen Polo R Supercars in Autostadt, Wolfsburg, last week.

The team swept to the World RX Teams’ World title in 2017 after clinching victory in eight of the season’s 12 rounds, with Johan Kristoffersson claiming seven of those wins on his way to the Drivers’ World Championship title.

For 2018, an unchanged driver line-up of Kristoffersson and team-mate Petter Solberg will get behind the wheel of revised specification Volkswagen Polo R models.

Reigning champion Kristoffersson is eager to get his title defence underway at the World RX of Catalunya-Barcelona on April 14 and 15.

“It feels far too long since the World RX finale in South Africa last November,” Kristoffersson commented.

“I have done lots of training – and competed in the World Rally Championship, driving a Skoda Fabia R5 at Rally Sweden – but nothing compares with that feeling of being back in a Volkswagen Polo R Supercar,” he said.

With stiff competition anticipated from the likes of EKS Audi Sport, Team Peugeot Total and Olsbergs MSE, Volkswagen Sweden team principal Pernilla Solberg says it is ready for the challenge from its rivals.

“This is a family team and everybody here is ready to put everything in for the person standing next to them. This is such an exciting year for PSRX Volkswagen Sweden and now we feel really ready to get going with 2018.”

World RX Managing Director for IMG, Paul Bellamy, commented: “PSRX Volkswagen Sweden have proven to be excellent ambassadors for the World RX Championship and were worthy title winners last season.

“Johan Kristoffersson and Petter Solberg represent a formidable driver pairing and if the new Volkswagen Polo R Supercar proves to be as quick as it looks, we are in for a memorable World RX season,” he added. – Off Road Racing Correspondent