Rallycross World Champion Johan Kristoffersson to compete in the Lausitz Rally

Eight World Rallycross Championship titles, a wealth of experience on the international rally circuit, and now his next challenge against the German rally elite: Johan Kristoffersson is returning to a Rally2 cockpit at the Lausitz Rally. Following his strong performance at the Mittelrhein Rally in early August in a Porsche 911 Rally GT, the eight-time World Rallycross Champion and his German co-driver Dennis Zenz now aim to make a splash in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 at the season finale of the German Rally Championship.

Kristoffersson last sat behind the wheel of a Rally2 car at his home European Championship round, the 2024 Royal Rally of Scandinavia. The rallycross specialist has long since proven that he is also quick on classic rally special stages. Strong results in his WRC2 outings in Sweden and Finland underline his qualities. Now he is keen to showcase his skills on the fast gravel stages of the Lausitz as well.

Dennis Zenz will once again be sitting alongside him. The experienced co-driver, who is also successful in the Rally Raid World Championship, hit it off with Kristoffersson straight away during their first outing together. At the Rally Mittelrhein, the Red Bull duo secured all four fastest times on the final day. Even as they crossed the finish line, it was clear: this partnership is set to continue.

Nutzen auch moderne Medien für Motorsport-News: Kristoffersson/Zenz

Foto: Sebastian Kraft

“We’ve worked together brilliantly from the very start and I’m looking forward to picking up exactly where we left off,” explains Kristoffersson.

The Lausitz Rally on 6 and 7 November features eight fast gravel stages totalling around 150 kilometres of special stages. Around the rally centre in Boxberg, competitors can expect challenging tracks, high speeds and little room for error. The team, Pole Promotion, will be fielding the Škoda.

Mal nicht Rally-Raid: Dennis Zenz freut sich auf Start im Rally2-Auto

Foto: Sebastian Kraft

Despite his vast experience and successes in rallycross, Kristoffersson is holding back on making bold predictions. The switch to a Rally2 car requires a different driving style to that in rallycross, longer periods of concentration and precise coordination with the co-driver.

“I haven’t driven a Rally2 car since the Royal Rally of Scandinavia. So it will certainly take a bit of time before I’ve found my rhythm again,” says the reigning European Rallycross Champion and eight-time World Champion.

It is not just the sporting aspect that promises to attract attention. In collaboration with TikTok LIVE, an elaborate real-time broadcast is planned, which is set to give viewers unusual insights into the rally action. Cameras will follow Kristoffersson and Zenz in the cockpit whilst also showing what’s happening behind the scenes. Engineers and mechanics will also be shown at work in the service park.

Team Pole Promotion setzt den Skoda für Kristoffersson/Zenz ein

Foto: Red Bull

This means the focus won’t just be on the race against the clock. Viewers will also experience the work that normally takes place away from the cameras – from the engineers’ decisions to the mechanics’ precise movements. For Kristoffersson and Zenz, the Lausitz Rally will thus become both a sporting challenge and a stage for an unusual live rally format.