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First RX sparks fly in the Cape

Like it happens a couple of days before any world title bout, the men fighting it out for the 2019 FIA World Championship at the weekend’s SABAT Rallycross of South Africa at the Killarney International Raceway faced up to each other at a Cape Town Waterfront parade on Thursday afternoon.

Swedish Brothers Timmy and Kevin Hansen and Norwegian Andreas Bakkerud came together to discuss the weekend ahead while parading their cars in the Mother City and if their thoughts are anything to go by, the finale is set to deliver all the action that has seen them all three arrive in the Cape with a shot of that cherished title.

The season started with a bang, when Timmy and Andreas clashed in Abu Dhabi, Hansen retired and Bakkerud was disqualified for his efforts. That left Kevin Hansen to win, but only after first man home Niclas Gronholm took s three-second penalty for barging Kevin out of his way. all of which set the scene for the rest of the year. 

Since then, the Hansens and Bakkerud have traded blows — and the championship lead almost race-by-race as the fight criss-crossed the globe en route to Cape Town this weekend ,to see Timmy Hansen all of a solitary point clear of  Bakkerud. Timmy Hansen also remains right there in the title fight with Gronholm on his back, as the Hansens aim to add a world championship to dad Kenneth’s record 14 European Rallycross titles.

The title fighters faced off in public as the World Rallycross Championship visited Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront Thursday afternoon to tease the city ahead of the epic weekend to come. “This has been my best season ever, but it has also been up and down,” Timmy Hansen pointed out. "I started the year with the big crash in Abu Dhabi, and Canada was very tough for me too, but on the other hand I have won four races this year, which has been amazing.”  

“Obviously I need to try to win again this weekend — the championship is so close and I think it is best just to keep focused and also be clever not take any unnecessary risks. “From a driver's perspective, I think the championship is too close for any special tactics and it will just come down to who does the best race here — whoever can stay strong and keep their head will come out the winner.”

“It’s great that we are here with the title up for grabs,” Andreas Bakkerud added. “For sure, the Hansens will both be fighting at the front and I have my teammate Liam Doran by my side, so we can give them a good run for their money. “My plan is to get good starts and limit my mistakes — like that I will be in good shape to win, but I don’t think the fight will be over until the final chequered flag. “One thing is for sure — I am here to win!"

Younger Hansen brother Kevin however has news for both of his title rivals, “2019 has been the best season of my life,” Kevin admitted. “My brother and I are the best team mates — we actually want each other to win. “This weekend I also have less pressure than Timmy and Andreas, which is really nice, so my game plan is to go for the win and put my destiny in their hands. “I will also certainly do whatever it takes for a Hansen to be world champion!”

All of which adds to the allure of SABAT Rallycross of South Africa -  sounds like a very good reason to get on down to Killarney International Raceway.  Book your tickets at www.quicket.co.za now, last minute travel packages are available at  https://travel.worldsport.co.za/wrx-cape-town.

About FIA World Rallycross Cape Town 
Cape Town will host the final round of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy at the Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town 9-10 November. Now in its fifth season, the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy sees superstar drivers racing 400kW RX Supercars capable of 0-100km/h in under two seconds, competing in short, sharp races on mixed dirt and asphalt surfaces in amphitheatre venues. 

Find out more about World Rallycross Cape Town at: www.fiaworldrallycross.com
Keep up to date at www.facebook.com/Capetownrx
Follow it on #capetownrx on Instagram and @CapetownRX on Twitter
Catch up with this and past seasons’ action at www.youtube.com/RallycrossRXTV
Tickets are available at www.quicket.co.za 
World Rallycross Cape Town Travel Packages are available at https://travel.worldsport.co.za/wrx-cape-town
ENDS

Issued on behalf of SABAT World Rallycross SA

What:SABAT World Rallycross of South Africa Final Preview
Where:Killarney International Raceway, Cape Town
When:9-10 November 2019
Community:International

For further information please contact pieter@pietercronje.com

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