Kristoffersson Keeps Up His Record-Breaking Pace

Hal Ridge watches as VW Polo man inches closer to the title

Traditionally, the anecdote of a game of two halves is reserved for football. But, at the Loheac circuit in Brittany last weekend, the phrase was equally applicable for the latest instalment of the World Rallycross Championship.

That was true because, firstly, the first day in the ninth round of the series was held in blazing sunshine and bone-dry track conditions that then turned into consistent rain and a treacherously slippery surface for the duration of day two.

It was also true because both PSRX Volkswagen Sweden drivers Johan Kristoffersson and Petter Solberg suffered front-left punctures during the six-lap final, one at the start and one at the finish, both collected in the joker lap section.

There are a number of critical elements required to become a World champion in any motorsport discipline. Those major factors include being incredibly talented, having competitive machinery and a good dose of luck to go alongside.

Had Kristoffersson taken his compulsory joker one lap earlier in the French final, he may not have racked up his record-breaking fourth successive victory and eighth consecutive podium. But, as it was, the Swede finished top of the Intermediate Classification, won semi-final one and the final to extend his lead in the series over team-mate Solberg to 46 points with three rounds remaining.