Veiby keeps his team’s title dream alive

Before this weekend’s round of the Swedish Rallycross Championship, Volkswagen Dealer Team KMS’ plan was for Johan Kristoffersson to win and for his 18-year-old teammate, Ole Christian Veiby from Kongsvinger, to take second place in his VW Polo. And that is just what they did!

“Even if I say so myself, I drove really well, especially in the final. This is my best Rallycross result,” said Ole with a broad smile after taking second place at Ring Knutstorp in Southern Sweden.

“A dream result,” said Team Manager Tommy Kristoffersson, who could barely stop smiling after his team secured the first two places. With a victory and a second place, Johan Kristoffersson has reduced Sebastian Eriksson’s overall lead in the championship. Before the final Swedish Championship round at Solvalla on 5 and 6 September, and there are now just 5 points separating them.

“I feel I’ve done what the team asked me to do. At the same time I have also joined the battle for bronze,” Ole said, as he has now moved up to fourth place overall in the championship – just six points behind Robin Larsson in third place.

The young Kongsvinger talent’s performance was no less impressive considering that he had a painful left arm after banging it against the safety cage during a duel with Eriksson in one of Friday’s heats.

“It really hurt and I had to finish the heat with only one hand on the steering wheel. I also felt the pain in the final and my elbow was swollen and quite bruised, but thankfully not broken,” he said.

This was his second time in a row on the podium and in many ways his breakthrough. This is quite a feat when you know that in the Swedish Championship he is competing against some of the world’s leading rallycross drivers. Robin Larsson, who had to throw in the towel and ended up in last place in the final at the weekend, was number two in the World Championship round in England earlier this year. Sebastian Larsson was well on the way to winning the World Championship round at Høljes until he experienced problems with his car and finished in sixth place. While his teammate Kristoffersson finished in third place in the World Championship Round in Belgium.

“Of course, it’s great fun to do so well against such strong competition,” Ole said.

Johan Kristoffersson was quick to congratulate his teammate.
“This was just the result we needed in order to stay in the running to win the championship. Thanks to Ole, who kept his competitors behind him,” he said.

It was otherwise a very dramatic and exciting final. Ole got off to a flying start and overtook Sebastian Eriksson immediately. He then positioned himself behind his countryman Daniel Holtet, but managed to squeeze past both him and Robin Larsson on the third bend. He bided his time behind Kristoffersson, and took the alternative section of track already in the third of six rounds.

“I fought really well to begin with and was tough enough to take second place in the first round. I felt I had good control and it was a really great to finish in second place. What can be better than Volkswagen taking first and second place and that I have helped Johan take important points from his fiercest competitors. In the final race at Solvalla, I’ll do my best to make sure that he becomes Swedish Champion,” Ole said and sent his thanks to the team.

“The team has done a great job of building these cars.”
It goes without saying that the Team Manager is also very pleased with Ole’s performance.

“Ole had a tough start, but showed in the final what a talent he is. The progress he and the team have made is important ahead of the final race. That is why we are in with a good chance of winning championship and Ole will play an important role in the final race,” Tommy Kristoffersson said.

Swedish Rallycross Championship, RallyX, Ring Knutstorp 22 – 23 August:
Supercar, final
1) Johan Kristoffersson, Volkswagen Polo
2) Ole Christian Veiby, Volkswagen Polo
3) Daniel Holten, Ford Fiesta
4) Sebastian Eriksson, Ford Fiesta
5) Robin Larsson, Audi A1