World RX: Solberg and Ekström, last challenge of the season in Cape Town

For the first time in its young history, the World Championship of rallycross (World RX) is traveling to South Africa, near Cape Town. The Killarney circuit, barely a kilometer long but made up of fast curves, will determine the identity of the vice-champion of the 2017 season. Petter Solberg (Volkswagen Polo) and Mattias Ekström (Audi S1) are only separated by a point, to the advantage of the Norwegian.

Accident in Riga (Lithuania) At the end of September, the 2003 world rally champion courageously competed in the Estering round (Germany), with a fourth place up for grabs, despite a broken collarbone and two ribs. “My condition seemed quite worrying before this ordeal; "The doctors refused to give me the green light, but a doctor who specializes in motorcycle speedway injuries said it was possible to race.", explains Petter Solberg.

“It was hard, I spent difficult days thinking about a premature end to the season. Finally, I am happy to have been able to ride in Germany, it gave me the energy to continue my efforts until South Africa. If you really want to achieve something, you give yourself the means to do so.”, he advances.

His rival Mattias Ekström, titled in 2016, is on an upward slope after his fourth success of the year acquired in Estering. “Even though I’ve never visited South Africa, I’m a pretty boring person”, believes the Swede. “As soon as the meeting approaches, I only think about the competition, and nothing else. The prospect of a crown is gone (Johan Kristoffersson won it in Riga), but we will fight with the same rage as before”, assures the Audi driver.

In the general classification, Sébastien Loeb (Peugeot 208) is firmly established in fourth position, ahead of Andreas Bakkerud (Ford Focus) and his teammate Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208).