Johan Kristoffersson returns to the world of rallying. When the FIA ERC event BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia takes place in Värmland on June 13-15, the six-time, and reigning,World Champion in rallycross will be on the starting line.
Kristoffersson has several Swedish Championship medals and podium finishes in WRC2 on his record, although his main focus currently lies on the FIA World Rallycross Championship and Extreme E. However, when the opportunity to participate in the FIA ERC at home in Värmland arose, Johan couldn’t say no.
– Our loyal sponsor Bauhaus unexpectedly asked if I wanted to jump in and compete in high-level rallying, and I accepted, says Johan.
Kristoffersson will drive his family team’s own Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, with Norwegian co-driver Stig Rune Skjaermoen as his co-driver. Stig Rune and Johan competed together in 2019, securing podium finishes in both Rally Sweden and Rally Finland in WRC2.
– It will be fun to compete with Stig Rune again. We had a lot of fun during our journey in 2019, Johan continues.
Even though Johan Kristoffersson is one of the world’s top competitive drivers, he wants to keep expectations low for BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia.
– I haven’t driven a gravel rally in the forest for five years, so expectations are low. It would have been nice to prepare properly, but there’s simply no time for that, so we’ll take it as it comes. It’s still fun to be the underdog for a change, concludes Kristoffersson.
Tommy Kristoffersson, team principal for Kristoffersson Motorsport, believes it is important for the team to be represented when Värmland hosts such a large motorsport event.
– Having a FIA European Rally Championship event in Värmland is really pleasing, especially since we no longer have the WRC here. And we’re also happy that our partner Bauhaus has opened their store in Karlstad, not just because I want to go there and shop, but also because it feels good that they are represented here in Värmland, says Tommy Kristoffersson.