Oliver Solberg has won this year’s RallyX Nordic Championship in his Circle K-backed OSRX DS3 Supercar.

The son of two-time World RX champion Petter Solberg arrived in Tierp six points ahead of his nearest rival Oliver Eriksson. But in the end, there was only one Oliver celebrating today (Sunday).

Oliver, who celebrated his 17th birthday just 14 days ago, demonstrated his title aspirations with a win on the second round of the series in Arvika. From then on he just got stronger and stronger with a hugely impressive perfect score in Grenland and now the crown.

“I am so happy with this result,” said Oliver. “It’s been a great weekend of racing and actually a really good year. To drive this car is so much fun, going off the line with nearly 600 horsepower is fantastic! 

“I have to say a very big thank you to Circle K for their support for the RallyX Nordic programme this year and, of course, to my family’s PSRX team – the car has been so, so good all year. These guys who are working on the car are just the best in the world!”

The big question for Oliver now is what comes next. 

“Next year I will do some more rallycross – it’s hard not to want to drive these cars! But as well I want to focus some more on rallying. I will do a lot of testing. Rallying is the future for me, that’s where I want to go. But for now I want to celebrate this win. 

“Taking my first [RallyX Nordic] victory last year was special, then we had a really good start to the year with the win in Arvika – but nothing is like this feeling of being the champion.

“Last year I was the driver who came here [to the final round] chasing the championship. It was different this time, I was being hunted… I have to be honest, I think there is less pressure when you are hunting – then you just push and push; you can take the risks. 

“This weekend, I have been thinking a little bit about the championship all of the time. It’s always there in your head. OK, once the lights go green you are thinking only of the next corner and how to get through it faster than your rivals, but definitely I have been a bit more on edge this weekend.”

Oliver’s father Petter was quick to praise this chip off the Solberg block. 

“We know about Oliver’s speed,” said Petter, “I have seen this when I have been testing with him – and trying to beat him! What has really impressed me again here is his attitude and his approach to the weekend.

“He has worked really hard at school in Le Mans, working in areas like the need for mental strength and a psychological and physiological approach as well as physical fitness – and this weekend we can see why that’s so important. Sometimes I was thinking I was more nervous than him!

“Pernilla and me are so proud of our boy; it’s fantastic to have a Solberg champion. Now we’re looking forward to next year, which is definitely going to be exciting and busy!”

 

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Final Standings:

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1 Oliver Solberg 148

2 Oliver Eriksson 137

Thomas Bryntesson 132

4 Ola Frøshaug 96

5 Peter Hedström 94

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2018 RallyX Nordic Season

  

May 5/6                Höljes, Sweden (Result: 4th)

June 2/3               Arvika, Sweden (Win)

June 23/24           Grenland, Norway (Win)

August 11/12       Nysum, Denmark (5th)

August 25/26       Kouvola, Finland (2nd)

October 6/7          Tierp, Sweden (Win)