Solberg to sample FIA World Rallycross in Sweden

Just days after finishing 10th at a fraught Safari Rally Kenya, the young Swede will switch disciplines for his home round of the championship. 

Solberg will drive a Hedströms Motorsport Hyundai i20 against the likes of Johan Kristoffersson - who has previously steered a Volkswagen Polo in WRC3 - and Andreas Bakkerud in the headline Euro RX1 category. 

It’s been a hectic week for the 20-year-old. He flew back from Kenya on Monday to test the rallycross car on Tuesday and is also carrying out a pre-event test for Rally Estonia today (Thursday) with Hyundai’s i20 N Rally1 car.

“It’s been a busy time,” said Solberg. “I have always loved rallycross and I got the opportunity to drive the car, so of course I couldn’t say no to that.

“Hedström Motorsports’ workshop is only 10 minutes away from mine. We have worked together before and we have known them for a long time, and also the car is a Hyundai. So it’s a good opportunity,” he added.

Solberg is no stranger to the dual-surface discipline, although this weekend will mark his first outing in two years. He clinched the 2018 RallyX Nordic crown and his father, Petter, is also a two-time world champion. 

“I want to win, of course. It’s very simple,” he explained. “I know Johan Kristoffersson very well and I know the other guys very well. 

“We are probably the most competitive guys and now we are competing against each other, so for sure we want to beat each other!”