Nitro Rallycross makes global debut at UK's legendary Lydden Hill 19.06.2022: - First stop of Nitro RX Global Series sees Robin Larsson top group E qualifying and Casper Jansson win NRX Next Final, along with wide-open supercar and crosscar action - Racing Continues Sunday with Full Slate of High Stakes Finals Livestream he

- First stop of Nitro RX Global Series sees Robin Larsson top group E qualifying and Casper Jansson win NRX Next Final, along with wide-open supercar and crosscar action


- Racing Continues Sunday with Full Slate of High Stakes Finals

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On day one of its first-ever global series, Nitro Rallycross delivered over five hours of intense, high energy racing excitement at Lydden Hill Race Circuit.



In Nitro RX’s new Group E top class the most powerful car in rallycross, the FC1-X, made its competition debut on Lydden’s newly reconfigured track. In keeping with Nitro RX’s “Tracks that thrill” ethos, the iconic course featured a jump for the first time – a 90-ft table top - as well as a massive NASCAR-styled Talladega Turn.


In Group E, Robin Larsson (SWE) emerged out of the head-to-head Battle Brackets, defeating Niclas Grönholm (FIN), Oliver Eriksson (SWE) and fellow RX Cartel teammate Andreas Bakkerud (NOR) before topping stage rally legend Kris Meeke (GBR) in Battle Bracket final. Meeke also faced a challenging road, beating XITE Energy Racing Energy teammate Oliver Bennet (GBR), and 2021 Nitro RX champion Travis Pastrana (USA) before bowing out to Larsson.  



As Group E top qualifier, Larsson has the edge entering Sunday, having earned pole position in his choice of the first two heats.
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Group E Qualifying Order (Round 1):
Position    Car #    Name    Nation    Team

1    4    Robin Larsson    SWE    RX Cartel
2    62    Kris Meeke    GBR    XITE Energy Racing
3    13    Andreas Bakkerud    NOR    RX Cartel
4    199    Travis Pastrana    USA    Vermont SportsCar
5    16    Oliver Eriksson    SWE    Olsbergs MSE
6    21    Conner Martell    USA    Vermont SportsCar
7    35    Fraser McConnell    JAM    DRR JC
8    42    Oliver Bennett    GBR    XITE Energy Racing
9    52    Ole Christian Veiby    NOR    DRR JC
10    68    Niclas Grönholm    FIN    Olsbergs MSE



In the NRX NEXT developmental class, reigning 2021 series champion Casper Jansson (SWE) launched his title defense in the first of two weekend doubleheaders. Joining him on the podium were a pair of Nitro RX newcomers: three-time North European Champion Ole Henry Steinsholt (NOR) and 2021 RallyX Nordic Champion Tommi Hallman (FIN). Extreme E driver Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky (SWE), who raced side-by-sides at Nitro RX last year, also joined the NRX NEXT fray.  



The full NRX NEXT field will square off again Sunday with another opportunity to earn crucial series points.



NRX Next Final (Round 1):
Finish    Car #    Name    Nation    Team

1    36    Casper Jansson    SWE    Olsbergs MSE
2    88    Ole Henry Steinsholt    NOR    Olsbergs MSE
3    87    Tommi Hallman    FIN    SET Promotion
4    55    Lane Vacala    USA    DRR JC
5    9    George Mcgennis    USA    #YELLOWSQUAD
6    19    Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky    SWE    JC
7    5    Kyle Schwartz    USA    Kyle Schwartz
8    52    Simon Olofsson    SWE    Simon Olofsson



Fraser McConnell (JAM) pulled double duty in both the Group E and Supercar classes, peaking during the Supercar Battle Bracket final. Yury Belevkiy (CHE) however was not to be denied, going neck and neck with McConnell before ultimately taking the checkered flag in the Battle Brackets final.



Like Larsson in Group E, Belevskiy also earned pole position in his choice of the first two heats on Sunday thanks to his Battle Bracket win.




Supercar Qualifying Order (Round 1):
Pos.    Car #    Name    Nation    Team


1    95    Yury Belevskiy    CHE    Volland Racing
2    35    Fraser McConnell    JAM    Fraser McConnell
3    13    Patrick O’Donovan    IRL    Patrick O’Donovan
4    72    Tristian O’Venden    GBR    Tristian Ovenden Mr
5    47    Dom Flitney    GBR    Volvo



Crosscar, a new support formula for Nitro RX, is joining the European leg of the tour this year. While light and nimble, there is nothing small about the capabilities of these machines. Flying across Nitro RX’s jumps and banked turns is not without its risks, but Pasi Penttinen (FIN), Riku Huuhka (FIN) and Isac Egonsson (SWE) survived to take the first win of the 2022-23 Nitro RX global series.




Crosscar Final (Round 1):
Finish    Car #    Name    Nation

1    6    Pasi Penttinen    FIN
2    2    Riku Huuhka    FIN
3    67    Isac Egonsson    SWE
4    12    Frida Enholm    SWE
5    124    Sebastian Enholm    SWE
6    110    Thomas Eek Murstad    NOR
7    81    Ronalds Baldins    LVA
8    11    Jimmie Osterberg    SWE



Finals hardware is up for grabs in all four classes on Sunday. For fans in the area, limited tickets are still available for purchase at www.nitrorallycross.com.



Fans outside of the UK can also watch live on Peacock in the U.S. as well as on YouTube worldwide. A two-hour weekend recap airs Sunday as well at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time on CNBC.




 
Greg Terlizzi - photos NitroRX