Swedes Sweep Podium at Nitro Rallycross at Trois-Rivières in Quebec.
Nitro Rallycross made history this weekend at Quebec’s Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, staging the first rallycross series event held on snow and ice. The conditions could not cool the competition nor quiet the packed venue though.
Nitro RX’s elite roster – including Travis Pastrana (USA), Andreas Bakkerud (NOR) and Kris Meeke (GBR) – heated things up as they hit speeds topping 100 mph on an unprecedented course with jumps, snow barriers and an ice surface more than 15 in-thick.
Oliver Eriksson took top honors, the fifth different winner in the season’s first seven rounds. He led a Swedish wall that swept the Group E podium, which included his brother Kevin Eriksson in second, plus current season leader and two-time Nitro RX winner Robin Larsson in third.
Oliver Eriksson quickly gained the momentum on day two, tackling the new wintery environment in Group E’s monstrous FC1-X. This new groundbreaking racecar is capable of producing the electric equivalent of 1070 hp and 811 lb-ft of max torque. Now running on custom-made tires featuring 12 mm metal studs, the cars clawed their way through the slick track and powdery snow.
Oliver took the checked flag in his opening heat to advance directly to the final and earn pole position, while his brother Kevin followed suit in the second heat, also earning a coveted final spot.
In the final, Oliver Eriksson emerged from a cloud of snow at the start to take the lead. He never looked back, relinquishing P1 only briefly while he took his joker lap. Kevin shadowed Oliver for most of the race as the two brothers went on to top the podium, while Larsson held off Trois-Rivière’s Top Qualifier Fraser McConnell (JAM) to finish third.
In an interview afterwards, Oliver Erkisson said, “This win feels really good. Being a Swede, everyone built up the pressure for us Scandinavians to perform well. But this [Nitro RX] is something completely different for us. This was totally new. Every lap out there is a fight. Today though, we figured it out and we got the job done.”
Earlier this season, Eriksson won Top Qualifier in his home country earlier and has been a regular threat to win a trophy, but this marks his first Nitro RX victory. “It feels so good. I’ve been so close [in prior rounds]. We’ve been up there but haven’t been able to quite cap it off. Today though we were able to execute. Thanks to the OMSE team: I had some mechanical issues, including the prop shaft which broke on lap two of the final. But luckily, with the all-wheel drive of the FC1-X, I still had motors in the front to pull me around. It was a struggle for sure. But we were able to work it out.”
Eriksson aims to repeat in round eight at Calgary’s legendary Stampede Park on February 4-5. “Calgary is going to be a different challenge. We only have two weeks to go for that, and we need to get the cars ready… Each track is so different. Everything from how thick or how hard the ice gets.”
Eriksson and OMSE also have their sights set on series hardware. “We’ve closed the gap [in the championship]. Robin is still ahead. But for sure the podium is in sight, and I’m not going to stop until I get one.”
While he did not take home a third trophy, Larsson stayed on the podium – for the sixth time in seven rounds – to keep a firm grip on the series lead. Bakkerud and McConnell also remain in second and third place respectively on the series table, while Oliver Eriksson’s victory closes the gap between him and the top three. Pastrana, still in fifth, will need to turn it up in order to remain in the hunt.
Nitro RX will return to Canada on February 4-5 for more action on snow and ice at Calgary’s iconic Stampede Park. The special setting is sure to create dramatic moments and compelling visuals that will resonate both in the stands and on screen.
And with its unique open paddock layout, Nitro Rallycross will offer Calgary fans an immersive atmosphere where they can get a behind-the-scenes look at the teams, drivers and cars. This includes the all-new Nitro RX fan experience, packed with an entertainment stage featuring live music, a gaming zone, a concession area with local food trucks and an electric RC activation.
The event will also feature a fan autograph session, open to all attendees, that allows fans to meet the world’s leading drivers in person.
To experience Nitro RX Calgary live, tickets can be purchased at nitrorallycross.com.
For fans outside of Alberta can also watch live on Peacock in the U.S. as well as on YouTube worldwide.
