Klara Andersson has been rewarded for her impressive rookie season in the FIA World Rallycross Championship with a multi-year contract to continue competing for Construction Equipment Dealer Team at the international pinnacle of the sport.
Klara Andersson has been rewarded for her impressive rookie season in the FIA World Rallycross Championship with a multi-year contract to continue competing for Construction Equipment Dealer Team at the international pinnacle of the sport.
Off the back of clinching Sweden’s national rallycross crown in the 2150 category in 2021, Andersson joined the World RX grid in Hell, Norway last summer – immediately turning heads as she advanced to the final on her debut behind the wheel of CE Dealer Team’s all-electric, 500kW (680bhp) PWR RX1e. She went on to finish ahead of experienced team-mate Niclas Grönholm – seven times an event-winner in the series.
Barely two months later, the talented Swede made history in becoming the first female driver ever to ascend the podium in rallycross’ topflight when she placed third at Montalegre in Portugal. She then capped her maiden campaign by coming within an ace of defeating multiple world champion Johan Kristoffersson in the pair’s progression race at Germany’s Nürburgring.
After winding up seventh in the overall standings in the high-calibre field, Andersson is aiming to accelerate her progression in the second season of World RX’s ground-breaking new electric era in 2023, when she will join forces with Grönholm once again.
“Chances like these are a one-in-a million opportunity, and I am beyond grateful for the team’s belief in me as a driver,” enthused the 23-year-old Löberöd native. “I’m super-excited to see what we can achieve together in the future.
“Starting my World RX career with CE Dealer Team last year was amazing, and to continue with them for 2023 and beyond is really inspiring for me as a young driver. I’m very happy to keep racing with my team-mate Niclas – we work really well together. Now I’ve done my rookie year and I’ve learned so much, it’s time for the next step forward.”
A new addition to the championship last season, CE Dealer Team – like World RX – is committed to the quest for a more sustainable and diverse future, both on and off-track. Team Manager Jussi Pinomäki has high hopes for what Andersson can accomplish over the coming years.
“We are delighted to have Klara on-board with us in a long-term set-up after a really impressive first World RX season,” he commented. “No matter who you are, your debut season in an FIA World Championship is a baptism of fire, but Klara handled it like a driver with considerably more experience than she has, taking leaps forward in her personal development throughout the year. We look forward to a thrilling journey ahead, challenging the boundaries and norms of motorsport together.”
The 2023 World RX campaign will get underway at Montalegre – scene of CE Dealer Team’s breakthrough victory in the championship – on 3-4 June. The edge-of-the-seat globe-trotting series then travels throughout Europe, before concluding with long-haul double-header events in Cape Town (South Africa) and Hong Kong (China) in the autumn.
