Andreas Bakkerud tops group E podium at Nitro Rallycross Sweden - results 02.08.2022: - RX Cartel teammate Robin Larsson finishes second - Rallycross icon Johan Kristoffersson takes third in Nitro RX debut - Nitro RX Heads Next to the U.S. Returning to Minnesota’s ERX Motor Park October 1-2

- RX Cartel teammate Robin Larsson finishes second

- Rallycross icon Johan Kristoffersson takes third in Nitro RX debut
 
- Nitro RX Heads Next to the U.S. Returning to Minnesota’s ERX Motor Park October 1-2




The second round of Nitro Rallycross’ inaugural global series closed in thrilling fashion Sunday at Sweden’s Strängnäs Motorstadion, as Andreas Bakkerud (NOR) triumphed in a no-holds-barred Group E final.



After two days of intense racing punctuated by jaw-dropping jumps, tight finishes and door-banging action, Bakkerud emerged victorious. His RX Cartel/DRR JC teammate Robin Larsson (SWE) took second while four-time World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson (SWE) - also driving for DRR JC - finished third.



The finale capped off a very successful weekend for Nitro RX’s host nation who took nearly half of the available podium positions on day one. The home country fared even better on Sunday, claiming six out of nine podium spots.



After the event, Bakkerud reflected on the impact of Nitro RX coming to Sweden, a rallycross hotbed. “It’s pretty epic. With Nitro coming in and putting in the time and the work to renew Strängnäs Motorstadion and make it a new area, it is so great for rallycross. I think it was an awesome event. The crowd loved it.”



Going into round two, Group E featured arguably one of the best rallycross fields ever assembled, headlined by Euro RX winner Bakkerud, reigning Nitro RX titleholder Travis Pastrana (USA), 2022 RallyX winner Niclas Gronholm (FIN), plus late addition Kristoffersson as a Star Car driver.


In all, the eleven strong Group E lineup took on a newly modified Strängnäs course highlighted by Europe’s first gap jump, embodying Nitro RX’s “Cars that fly, tracks that thrill” motto.



In the final, Bakerrud survived a quick and combative start to take the lead, fending off Gronholm and Saturday’s top qualifier, Oliver Eriksson (SWE). Bakkerud held his ground against Larsson, winner of Nitro RX’s opening UK round, to secure his win. Kristoffersson climbed all the way from the back of the starting grid to finish strong in third.    



Bakkerud said afterwards, “I knew if I didn’t beat Oliver off the line and get first through turn one I would be outside and probably eating concrete still. It was very tough. Later I heard on the radio that Robin was catching me, which I saw late on the big screen when he went to the joker. So, I just squeezed everything I had on the Nitro boost and we brought it home.”



Bakkerud added, “This is the first time that I get to keep the big trophy, which feels awesome. As a race car driver, you love trophies. And this one is going to have a very special place on the shelf.”




Group E Final Results (Sweden):



1    13    Andreas Bakkerud    NOR    RX Cartel / DRR JC
2    4    Robin Larsson     SWE    RX Cartel / DRR JC
3    3    Johan Kristoffersson    SWE    DRR JC
4    35    Fraser McConnell    JAM    DRR JC
5    52    Ole Christian Veiby    NOR    JC
6    21    Conner Martell    USA    Vermont SportsCar
7    62    Kris Meeke    GBR    XITE Energy Racing
8    16    Oliver Eriksson    SWE    OMSE



Bakkerud also spoke to the impact of Kristoffersson competing at Sweden. “It means a lot. His coming in and giving his feedback on the car [Group E’s new all-electric FC1-X] is mega.


At the same time, Johan is so quick off the box and is such a tough rival, it shows that the level of Nitro RX drivers is world class.”

 



Nitro RX Group E third place finisher Johan Kristoffersson


In the NRX NEXT developmental class, Nitro RX newcomer Tommi Hallman (FIN) completed a weekend doubleheader, earning consecutive gold medals in both finals and extending his streak of NEXT podium finishes to four-straight.


2021 NEXT series champion Casper Jansson also doubled on the podium, finishing second on Sunday, while George Megennis (USA) came in third.



NRX Next Final Results (Sweden - Round 2):

1    87    Tommi Hallman    FIN    SET Promotion
2    36    Casper Jansson    SWE    Olsbergs MSE AB
3    9    George Megennis    USA    #YELLOWSQUAD
4    22    Mattis Jansson    SWE    KJS RX
5    52    Simon Olofsson    SWE    STSRX
6    60    Martin Enlund    SWE    Enlunds Motorsport
7    19    Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky    SWE    JC
8    4    Ida Tornhult    SWE    Olsbergs MSE AB



Sunday’s Supercar final went down to Fraser McConnell (JAM) dueling with Yury Belevskiy (CHE) for the fourth consecutive time. McConnell crossed the line first, but after he was hit with a three-second penalty Belevskiy was awarded the win. Sweden’s Gustav Bergstrom took third.



Supercar Final Results (Sweden - Round 2):

1    95    Yury Belevskiy    CHE    Volland Racing
2    35    Fraser McConnell    JAM    Betomik Racing
3    17    Gustav Bergstrom    SWE    Kristoffersson Motorsport
4    13    Patrick O’Donovan    IRL    Team RX Racing
5    76    Per Eklund    SWE    Eklund Motorsport



A pair of Swedes also podiumed in Crosscar, a new support class for Nitro RX. Sebastian Enholm and Jimmie Osterberg finished first and second respectively, with Pasi Penttinen (FIN) rounding out the podium.




Crosscar Final (Round 2):


1    124    Sebastian Enholm    SWE
2    11    Jimmie Osterberg    SWE
3    6    Pasi Penttinen    FIN
4    110    Thomas Eek Murstad    NOR
5    67    Isac Egonsson    SWE
6    81    Ronalds Baldins    LVA
7    199    Alexander Gustafsson    SWE
8    2    Riku Huuhka    FIN



Nitro RX is now set to cross the Atlantic and will head to America for a return to ERX Motor Park on October 1-2. Located outside of Minneapolis, ERX is the Midwest's premier year-round motorsports facility. Last year’s purpose-built track was one of the fastest of the season, so look for the Nitro RX team push the limits further still this fall.



Bakerrud is eager to compete in the US and revisit ERX Motor Park. “This is the track that I look forward to the most. We all had a great time racing there last year and it is such an epic, American-style track. The flow of the course and the fast corners, it all allows for so much more action.”



To experience Nitro RX’s in person, tickets can be purchased at nitrorallycross.com. Fans can also watch live on Peacock in the U.S. as well as on YouTube worldwide.




2022–23 NITRO RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE*

June 18-19, 2022 // United Kingdom
July 30-31, 2022 // Sweden
October 1-2, 2022 // Minneapolis, USA
October 29-30, 2022 // Los Angeles, USA
November 12-13, 2022 // Phoenix, USA
December 10-11, 2022 // Saudi Arabia
January 21-22, 2023 // Quebec, Canada
February 4-5, 2023 // Alberta, Canada
March TBA, 2023 // Nitro RX 2022-23 Series Finale // TBA, USA
(*Subject to change)




Greg Terlizzi ,Thrill One - photos Nitro RX