Peter Hedström will return to FIA World Rallycross Championship action at Höljes later
this summer, in what he describes as the ‘best chance of his career’ after reaching an
agreement to pilot a third GRX-SET World RX Team Hyundai i20.
Hedström has been a front-runner on the FIA European Rallycross Championship Supercar (now Euro RX1) scene for many years, registering multiple podium finishes, including three on home soil at Höljes. He has similarly been a semi-finalist in World RX, but last appeared at the discipline’s highest level almost five years ago, in Germany in 2016. In a few weeks’ time, the Swede will return – and he is bullish about his prospects.
“I promised [Hedströms Motorsport team-mate] Anders Michalak my European Championship place at Höljes in my car, which left me without a car,” Hedström revealed, “but then we had a discussion with a sponsor who thought we could find the budget for an extra car for Höljes. From there, I contacted Marcus [Grönholm – GRX-SET Team Principal], and everything then went very quickly!
“We negotiated that GRX will help us out with the Hyundai at Höljes and upcoming events, so we will be well-prepared and I will be there to fight for a top spot. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me – the biggest and best chance of my career so far.”
The 37-year-old will make at least two World RX starts in the Hyundai this year, supported by his own technicians, and he is hopeful of securing additional funding to do some pre-event running in the car.
Two-time FIA World Rally Champion Grönholm raced alongside Hedström in a Ford Fiesta at Höljes in 2008, and the Finn insists there will be no team orders should his new charge outpace regular drivers Niclas Grönholm and Krisztián Szabó.
“Peter knows the track well, so if he gets comfortable in the car and makes good starts, he will be able to surprise,” the Finn commented. “He has always been quick – especially at Höljes. Every driver in the team will go for it, and may the fastest one win!”