Wildcard cars joining the FIA World Rallycross Championship used to be an event within the event, with all sorts of drivers challenging themselves or just trying to pull an upset into the regulars, but with the heavy manufacturer efforts in recent years, this became less and less of a trend. With the 2019 being entirely focused on privateer efforts, these one-offs are starting to come back, with the grid going full capacity for the first time at the Höljes RX, in Sweden.
Between those who join the World RX regulars are some known names to rallycross, and with neither of them having commitments with Euro RX, they can compete in the World stage without regrets, especially with most of them being based around the Swedish venue.
Topping the list is the previously reported return of Olsbergs MSE, which left full time involvement aside after the 2018 season to look for options in the new Projekt E class and to focus on customer service. In fact, they are bringing most of the operation from their RallyX Nordic campaign, with a debutant Honda Civic RX for Ulrik Linnemann and a pair of Mk 8 Ford Fiesta ST RX cars for Sebastian and Kevin Eriksson.
GRX is entering a third Hyundai i20 RX again for a returning Reinis Nitiss, as their development driver was out since the Abu Dhabi RX, being replaced by Joni Wiman for the time being. Nitiss will certainly come to try a spot in the final after staying in the semifinals at Abu Dhabi due to a crash.
Philip Gehrman and Kjetil Larsen are joining in with Volkswagen Polo RXs from Hedström Motorsport and Bridgestone Motorsport respectively, but before you raise your hopes, their Polos aren’t the PSRX ones that competed until 2018, instead being built by Marklund Motorsport. Both drivers come from Euro RX efforts in 2018, but while Larsen was already competing in a Polo, Gehrman is coming from a full time effort in a Per Eklund Beetle RX.
The only wildcards that will not be exactly at home ground will be the family duo from Pailler Competition, with Fabian and Jonathan Pailler (who is also an avid rallycross sim racer) going with a pair of Peugeot 208 WRXs to Sweden, coming hot from their full season commitments in FFSA Rallycross.
The Höljes RX will be on July 6th, and while the date doesn’t come, while the RallyX Nordic and their drivers will take a break, FFSA Rallycross will be at Lavaré this weekend for its fifth round.
PHOTOS - RallyX Nordic, GRX TANECO, Philip Gehrman, Pailler Competition
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