In a recent Q&A Kevin Hansen named the Nitrocross Utah track as his favourite RX track, why could that be?
The Q&A In Question
First and foremost here is a link to the clip of the Hansen World RX Team posted of the Q&A in question. Hansen when asked “What is your favourite RX track” said the Nitrocross track in Utah remains his favourite even though he hasn’t competed at the track since 2019. The young Swede is a one-time winner at the track, with his brother Timmy also being a winner there.
What Makes The Nitrocross Utah Track So Unique?
The Nitrocross Utah track is the brainchild of action sports legend Travis Pastrana. It was also the initial track designed by Pastrana back when Nitrocross, known then as Nitro Rallycross. It began as a one-off event at the track in 2018 and 2019. Before becoming a full series in 2021. The track features a large gap jump, something that isn’t extremely common in the European style of Rallycross. Since 2018, Nitrocross has used tracks all over the United States and events in Sweden and the UK at the legendary Lyddenn Hill track. Which in turn makes the Utah track slightly less unique. Nevertheless, Kevin Hansen has only competed at a handful of Nitrocross tracks. Which he did back in 2021 when he finished fourth in the championship.
Could We See Kevin Back In Nitrocross?
Timmy Hansen made his Nitrocross re-debut at the 2023-24 season finale in Las Vegas. Could we potentially see both Hansen brothers again in this upcoming season? Well, it’s been reported that there is interest from the Hansens to return to the championship this upcoming season. Both would be welcomed additions to the championship. Even just as a one-off, it would be nice to see both of them back.
The 2023-24 Nitrocross season has come to an end. Robin Larsson retained his championship after the nine-round season.
Champion Again
Robin Larsson is making a habit of winning the Ken Block Championship. As the Swede took it home last season and he’s taking it home again this season. Larsson ends the 2023-24 season with a 78-point lead over Fraser McConnell. The 31-year-old won the most events this season, taking home four wins throughout the season. Larsson was also a consistent on the podium. As he was in the top three at every event besides round two. Time and time again Robin Larsson showed why he was the favourite to win the championship once again all season long. It didn’t matter what the other drivers threw at him he always managed to pull through. Just don’t ask Kevin Eriksson about that.
Final Championship Standings
As previously mentioned Robin Larsson topped the 2023-24 Nitrocross championship standings. As the 31-year-old ended the season with a 78-point lead over Fraser McConnell. Kevin Eriksson who was Larsson’s biggest championship threat ended the season third overall, 23 points back from McConnell and 101 behind Larsson. 2022-23 runner-up Andreas Bakkerud finished fourth in the championship, 72 points behind Eriksson. Oliver Eriksson rounded out the top five in the championship, finishing 12 points behind Bakkerud.
The Upcoming Season
The 2024-25 Nitrocross season kicks off in September in Richmond Virginia. Who exactly will drive in the championship besides Fraser McConnell is unknown. McConnell was confirmed to be driving for Dreyer & Reinbold once again next season before Nitrocross Las Vegas. Robin Larsson has said he wants to go for another championship next season so it’s safe to assume he’ll be back. The only major lineup changes should come from XITE Racing. As every other team is expected to keep the same lineup for next season. There may also be some new or returning additions to the championship. As we get closer to September the full driver list will be revealed.
The first day of Nitrocross Las Vegas has come to an end. Robin Larsson took home the final win of the season.
Heats
Group One
Andreas Bakkerud kicked off the second day of Nitrocross Las Vegas with a heat win. As the Norwegian posted a time 8.690 seconds faster than Patrick O’Donovan. Oliver Bennett finished third, 0.793 seconds slower than O’Donovan.
Group Two
Guillaume De Ridder took home the top spot in the second heat group. As De Ridder finished 1.020 seconds faster than Kevin Eriksson. Conner Martell rounded out the top three, posting a time 3.456 seconds slower than Eriksson.
Group Three
Timmy Hansen topped the third heat group. As Hansen posted a time 0.774 seconds faster than Nitrocross Las Vegas Friday winner Fraser McConnell. Travis Pastrana finished third, 3.166 seconds slower than McConnell.
Group Four
Championship leader Robin Larsson topped the fourth and final heat group. As Larsson set a time 2.220 seconds faster than Oliver Eriksson. Viktor Vranckx rounded out the top three, finishing 0.616 seconds slower than Eriksson.
Qualifying
Group One
Fraser McConnell topped the first qualifying group. As the Jamaican posted a time 2.233 seconds faster than Patrick O’Donovan. Travis Pastrana finished third fastest, 0.450 seconds slower than O’Donovan. Oliver Bennett rounded out the top four, as Bennett set a time 1.384 seconds slower than Pastrana.
Group Two
Oliver Eriksson took the win in the second qualifying group. As Eriksson set a time 1.203 seconds faster than his brother Kevin Eriksson. Conner Martell finished third fastest, 1.994 seconds slower than Kevin Eriksson. Viktor Vranckx rounded out the top four, as Vranckx posted a time 0.656 seconds slower than Martell.
Top Qualifier
Robin Larsson topped the top qualifier to take home the final TQ belt and honours of the season. Larsson posted a time 0.289 seconds faster than Timmy Hansen. Guillaume De Ridder rounded out the top three, 2.791 seconds slower than Hansen.
Semifinals
Group One
Timmy Hansen took home the top spot in the first semi-final group. As the 2019 World RX champion set a time 0.750 seconds faster than rival Andreas Bakkerud. Fraser McConnell finished third, 0.527 seconds behind Bakkerud. Viktor Vranckx posted the fourth fastest time, 2.407 seconds slower than McConnell. Kevin Eriksson rounded out the top five, finishing 1.096 seconds slower than Vranckx.
Group Two
Robin Larsson took the win in the second semi-final group. As the champion posted a time 0.780 seconds faster than Guillaume De Ridder. Conner Martell finished third, 10.080 seconds slower than De Ridder. Oliver Bennett set the fourth fastest time, one second slower than Martell. Patrick O’Donovoan rounded out the top five finishing 0.310 seconds slower than Bennett.
Last Chance Qualifier
Group One
Fraser McConnell took the win in the first LCQ group to advance to the finals. McConnell finished with a time 0.549 seconds faster than Oliver Eriksson. Kevin Eriksson rounded out the top three, finishing 0.785 seconds behind his brother Oliver.
Group Two
Conner Martell topped the second LCQ group to advance to the finals for the first time at Nitrocross Las Vegas. Martell posted a time 2.414 seconds faster than Viktor Vranckx. Patrick O’Donovan rounded out the top three, finishing 0.776 seconds slower than Vranckx.
Finals
Robin Larsson claimed victory for the final time this season. As the Nitrocross Las Vegas Saturday finals saw Larsson finish 1.444 seconds faster than Timmy Hansen to end the season in style. Guillaume De Ridder finished third, 0.447 seconds slower than Hansen. Friday’s winner Fraser McConnell posted the fourth fastest time, 1.489 seconds slower than De Ridder. Conner Martell rounded out the top five, setting a time 0.509 seconds slower than McConnell.
The first day of Nitrocross Las Vegas has come to an end. Fraser McConnell took home his third win of the season.
Heats
Group One
Timmy Hansen took home the win in the first heat group. As Hansen posted a time 5.750 seconds faster than Andreas Bakkerud. Oliver Bennett finished third fastest, 6.344 seconds slower than Bakkerud.
Group Two
Fraser McConnell won the second heat group. Setting a time 5.3 seconds faster than Travis Pastrana to take home the heat win. Patrick O’Donovan failed to finish the race.
Group Three
Oliver Eriksson topped the third heat group. As Eriksson finished 1.027 seconds faster than Guillaume De Ridder to top the heat. Kevin Eriksson rounded out the top three, posting a time 1.493 seconds slower than De Ridder.
Group Four
Championship leader Robin Larsson topped the fourth and final heat group. Having posted a time 1.847 seconds faster than Conner Martell. Viktor Vranckx finished third fastest, 0.350 seconds slower than Martell.
Qualifying
Group One
Kevin Eriksson topped the first qualifying group. As Eriksson set a time 2.177 seconds faster than Guillaume De Ridder. Oliver Bennett finished third fastest, 6.136 seconds slower than De Ridder. Andreas Bakkerud rounded out the top four, posting a time 3.677 seconds slower than Bennett.
Group Two
Conner Martell posted the fastest time in the second qualifying group. As Martell posted a time 2.184 seconds faster than Travis Pastrana. Viktor Vranckx finished third fastest, 3.466 seconds slower than Pastrana. Patrick O’Donovan rounded out the top four, 0.387 seconds slower than Vranckx.
Top Qualifier
Oliver Eriksson claimed the top qualifier honors. As Eriksson set a time 1.510 seconds faster than Robin Larsson. Timmy Hansen finished third fastest, 0.485 seconds slower than Larsson. Fraser McConnell rounded out the top four, posting a time 1.996 seconds slower than Hansen.
Semifinals
Group One
Fraser McConnell topped the first semifinal group to advance to the top row of the finals. McConnell set a time 0.433 seconds faster than Robin Larsson. Kevin Eriksson finished third fastest, 1.547 seconds slower than Larsson. Travis Pastrana set the fourth fastest time, 1.293 seconds slower than Eriksson. Patrick O’Donovan rounded out the top five, 4.037 seconds slower than Pastrana.
Group Two
Oliver Eriksson took the win in the second semifinal group. As Eriksson set a time 0.020 seconds faster than Timmy Hansen. Guillaume De Ridder finished third fastest, 2.427 seconds slower than Hansen. Viktor Vranckx posted the fourth fastest time, 0.993 seconds slower than De Ridder. Conner Martell rounded out the top five, finishing 0.254 seconds slower than Vranckx.
Last Chance Qualifier
Group One
Kevin Eriksson topped the first LCQ group to punch his ticket to the finals. Eriksson posted a time 1.233 seconds faster than Andreas Bakkerud. Patrick O’Donovan finished third, 3.294 seconds slower than Bakkerud. However, O’Donovan was awarded a one-position penalty. Moving Viktor Vranckx to third. Vranckx failed to finish the race.
Group Two
Guillaume De Ridder took the win in the second LCQ group to advance to the finals in his Nitrocross debut. De Ridder set a time 1.630 seconds faster than Travis Pastrana. Conner Martell rounded out the top three, finishing 0.777 seconds slower than Pastrana.
Finals
Fraser McConnell topped the finals to take home the win in the first round of Nitrocross Las Vegas. McConnell posted a time 3.760 seconds faster than Robin Larsson. Timmy Hansen finished third, 0.170 seconds slower than Larsson. Guillaume De Ridder set the fourth fastest time, 2.106 seconds slower than Hansen. Travis Pastrana rounded out the top five, finishing 4.740 seconds slower than De Ridder.
Championship Rundown After Nitrocross Las Vegas Friday
Robin Larsson retained the championship lead. Larsson now holds a 48-point lead over Fraser McConnell. Kevin Eriksson drops back to third in the championship, now sitting 4 points behind McConnell. Andreas Bakkerud sits fourth in the championship heading into the final round, 85 points behind Eriksson. Oliver Eriksson rounds out the championship top five after the penultimate round. Eriksson sits just 9 points behind Bakkerud.
Down To The Wire In Vegas
The Ken Block Championship will once again be rewarded at the season’s final round. Robin Larsson just has to hold off Fraser McConnell tomorrow to claim back-to-back championship wins. Fraser McConnell will make one final push for the championship. Kevin Eriksson will look to do the same. Outside of those three nobody has a real chance of claiming the championship. McConnell and Eriksson even have a slim chance of winning the championship at this point. However, anything is possible in Nitrocross. Especially when this is the most stacked entry list in Nitrocross history.
Earlier today Nitrocross revealed an updated version of the 2024-25 season schedule. Find out more below.
Round 1&2 Richmond Virginia, Sep 7-8 2024
The 2024-25 Nitrocross season will kick off in a brand new location once again. As the championship will be heading to Richmond Virginia. The venue for the opening round is the legendary Richmond Raceway. The Nitrocross track crew will build a new custom track at the NASCAR track. While also likely using part of the already existing track for the Nitrocross track.
Round 3&4 Salt Lake City Utah, Oct 4-5 2024
The home of Nitrocross, Salt Lake City Utah will once again be a part of the Nitrocross calendar in 2024-25. Salt Lake City is a special place for Nitrocross. As the series began there as a one-off event in both 2018 and 2019. This was before the Nitrocross became its own series in 2021. Salt Lake has only been absent from the Nitrocross championship one time. That lone time being in 2022-23. When the scheduling for the track just didn’t work out with the Nitrocross schedule. Salt Lake was deeply missed that season, and it was a welcomed return this season.
Round 5&6 Phoenix Arizona, Nov 15-16 2024
Yet another returning location for the 2024-25 seasons midpoint. Phoenix has been a mainstay in Nitrocross since 2021. The event will likely take place at Wild Horse Pass again next season. Nitrocross Phoenix will also be the final event of the 2024 calendar year. As no event will be run in December next season.
Round 7&8 Miami Florida, Jan 11-12 2025
Miami will mark the second new event on the 2024-25 calendar. This isn’t the first time Nitrocross has gone to Florida however. As the 2021 championship concluded its season in the Sunshine State. Miami will make the location new and exciting, however. It will also be just the second time Nitrocross has gone to the East Coast of America since the introduction of Group E. Florida has a huge potential market for Rallycross. If you want to make a splash in the region, no better place to do it than Miami.
Winter Invitational Calgary Canada, 31 Jan – Feb 1, 2025
After two years of bad weather preventing Calgary from being a championship round Nitrocross has decided to make the event a Winter Invitational. What this exactly means is unknown at this time and we won’t likely know until closer to the event. However, Calgary time and time again has proven to be a good market for fans. Hence why the event wasn’t completely dropped from the calendar. The championship will continue to try their best at the snow event. However, weather is completely out of their control.
Rounds 9&10 Las Vegas Nevada, 28 Feb- Mar 1, 2025
The 2024-25 Nitrocross season will conclude in the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas Nevada. Sin City is also concluding the 2023-24 season this weekend. Las Vegas has yet to show what the market is like. However, there is absolutely no doubt Thrill One will once again pull out all the stops to attract as many fans as possible to the season finale. Exact event details are still unknown, as the event is exactly a year away.
2019 World Rallycross Champion Timmy Hansen will join the Nitrocross grid for the final two rounds in Las Vegas this weekend.
A Rallycross Legend
Timmy Hansen has pretty much done it all when it comes to Rallycross. Winning the 2019 World RX title and winning multiple rounds of the championship throughout his career. Hansen won the 2019 championship via countback as Andreas Bakkerud tied Hansen in points at the final round of the season. To date, Hansen has won 13 World RX events and finished on the podium 44 times. Timmy Hansen was the first son of Rallycross legend Kenneth Hansen to make his World RX debut. Debuting in the European RX in 2012 and World RX in 2014. The 31-year-old Swede has been one of the top drivers in the World RX since 2019. Having finished top three in every season since then besides this past season.
A Familiar Face
Timmy Hansen isn’t a stranger to the Nitrocross-style tracks. In fact, Hansen won the first-ever Nitrocross event back in 2018 in Utah when the event was only a one-off. Hansen also finished third in the 2021 Nitro Rallycross championship. The championship’s first year of existence. After the 2021 season, Hansen left the championship to focus on the World RX. However, the Swede has made his interest in Nitrocross known recently. Hansen isn’t only a familiar face to the series, he’s also a familiar face to many of the drivers. As Hansen has competed against the likes of Andreas Bakkerud, Kevin Eriksson, Travis Pastrana and championship leader Robin Larsson before.
Who Will Hansen Drive For?
Timmy Hansen will join the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team for the final two rounds. This means he will be teammates with Fraser McConnell and IndyCar star Conor Daly. Robin Larsson and Andreas Bakkerud will suit up for the other DRR team.
The eighth round of the 2023-24 Nitrocross season, Nitrocross Calgary has been made an exhibition round. Find out why below.
Why Has Nitrocross Calgary Been Made An Exhibition Round?
The answer to this question is simple, a lack of snow and ice. To do ice racing there needs to be a certain amount of ice to make it work. Unfortunately, there are factors that Nitrocross can’t control. One of those is the weather. All of Alberta has had a recent spike of warm weather. Which has been welcomed, however, it means most of the ice and snow has melted. This comes after the entire province experienced record-cold weather in January.
The Second Year In A Row
This isn’t the first time Nitrocross Calgary has been made an exhibition round. As last season this exact same thing happened. A lack of usable ice led to the event being made into an exhibition round. Kevin Eriksson won the event last time around. However, the win contributed nothing to the championship.
What Changes
Due to the previously mentioned lack of ice, the format has changed for today’s event. As now the Group E cars will only race in a semi-final and final races. NEXT will do the same, while the Baja Bugs class will race a semi-final and two finals. As far as the championship goes, the final round in Las Vegas may be made into a triple-header event. This is something the championship did last season for the finale in Glen Helen. Nitrocross hasn’t confirmed anything at this time, however, if the final round in Las Vegas were to be changed they’d have to announce something soon. Alternatively, the 2023-24 season could turn into a nine-round championship. This likely won’t be the first option but if things come down to it that’s always an option.
The 2023-24 Nitrocross season continues this weekend with round eight, Nitrocross Calgary.
Championship Rundown
Reigning Nitrocross champion Robin Larsson leads the championship into the eighth round. As the Swede holds a 23-point gap over fellow Swede and 2023 Nitrocross Calgary winner Kevin Eriksson. The Jamaican Sensation Fraser McConnell sits third in the championship, 43 points behind Eriksson. 2022-23 championship runner-up Andreas Bakkerud sits in fourth, 42 points behind McConnell. While Conner Martell rounds out the top five in the championship, sitting 43 points behind Bakkerud.
A Tight Championship Battle
So far the 2023-24 championship has been a tight one. With Robin Larsson, Fraser McConnell, Travis Pastrana and Oliver Eriksson each having won at least one round this season. Larsson has won the most rounds this season, winning three. Kevin Eriksson is without a win at this point in the season. However, that hasn’t stopped him from being a true threat for the championship. Nitrocross Calgary is the only snow and ice event on the 2023-24 calendar. Which will make it a unique challenge for the drivers. The snow and ice conditions will favor the Eriksson brothers. As they won on the surface last season and grew up racing on snow and ice in Sweden. However, anything is possible on the track.
Daly Returns
IndyCar star Conor Daly will return to Nitrocross this weekend. After missing the last four rounds of the championship. Daly’s best finish in Nitrocross came in Utah where he finished fifth overall. Daly will once again suit up for the Dreyer and Reinbold team.
No Bennett
Oliver Bennett has been absent from Nitrocross since round one due to an injury. Bennett was supposed to compete this weekend. However, travel issues have forced the British star out of the event. Bennett has confirmed he will contest the final two rounds of the season in Las Vegas next month.
Earlier this week it was announced Travis Pastrana would miss Nitrocross Calgary next month.
Why?
Travis Pastrana’s reasoning for missing round eight of the 2023-24 Nitrocross season is due to him requiring knee surgery. Pastrana who has broken basically every bone in his body, is getting his knee replaced after it gave out. Pastrana has confirmed he plans on contesting rounds nine and ten of the 2023-24 Nitrocross season in Las Vegas in March. It’s also believed Pastrana’s knee surgery won’t force him to miss the Sno*Drift Rally next month. The Sno*Drift Rally will kick off the 2024 American Rally Association series on February 9-10.
Pastrana’s 2023-24 Season
Missing round eight of the 2023-24 season won’t end Travis Pastrana’s championship chances. As those were ended last time out in Glen Helen. As Pastrana gave up his seat for round seven to Lia Block. This made Block the first female competitor in Group E history. She would finish eighth overall at the event. The other six rounds Pastrana has contested this season haven’t gone terribly. He won in the second round of the season in Utah. Then he finished third in round four in Phoenix. Other than those two podiums Pastrana has been pretty middle of the pack. Finishing fifth in both rounds one and five. Seventh at six and tenth in round three. Pastrana wasn’t necessarily a championship favorite before he gave up his seat for round seven.
Who Could Replace Pastrana?
Travis Pastrana’s replacement for round eight hasn’t been announced. There is also no guarantee there will be one either. However, it’s unlikely Vermont Sportscar chooses to run just one car. Two names come to mind that could take Pastrana’s seat for the round. Those names are three-time American Rallycross champion Scott Speed and two-time American Rallycross champion Tanner Foust. Speed hasn’t contested a Nitrocross event since the end of the 2021 season. Foust made an appearance earlier this season at rounds two and three in Utah. Foust’s name has been mentioned in rumors about a Nitrocross return after he and McLaren parted ways in Extreme-E. Lia Block isn’t an option for the event. As she is off in Europe attending a motorsport university.
The 2023-24 Nitrocross season continues this weekend with rounds 6 and 7 at the Glen Helen Raceway in California.
Championship Rundown
Kevin Eriksson retained the championship lead after rounds 4 and 5 in Phoenix. However, Eriksson’s lead over 2022-23 champion Robin Larsson has been cut down to just one point. Larsson’s teammate Andreas Bakkerud sits third in the championship, 44 points behind Larsson. Round one and four winner Fraser McConnell heads into rounds 6 and 7 in fourth position, a mere two points behind Bakkerud. Series creator Travis Pastrana rounds out the championship top five. As the 2021 champion sits 52 points behind McConnell.
A Fresh Face
Viktor Vranckx will make his Nitrocross debut this weekend at Nitrocross Glen Helen. Vranckx comes into the championship with a decent pedigree. As Vranckx won the 2022 World RX2e championship. Vranckx and VMV Racing decided to move to Nitrocross after voicing their displeasure with how the FIA and World RX promoter handled the Lydenn Hill incident earlier this year. Vranckx isn’t expected to finish on the podium this weekend as he will require time to get used to not only that 1000hp FC1-X, but also the track design. As a result of Vranckx being used to racing on a more traditional Rallycross track. Ones that don’t feature gap jump or share features with motocross tracks.
A Returning Face
Brian Deegan will once again join the Group E class of drivers. Deegan placed 9th and 8th at rounds 4 and 5 respectively. The multi-time X Games medalist will look to continue his historic rivalry with Travis Pastrana in Group E and the Side-by-Side classes this weekend. Deegan made his Group E debut last time out in Phoenix. Marking his first Rallycross event at the top level since 2016. Deegan wasn’t expected to be at Nitrocross Glen Helen. However, a seat was open with Dreyer and Reinbold racing and he took the opportunity.