CE Dealer Team keeps title fight alive despite challenging FIA World RX round in Belgium
CE Dealer Team by Volvo Construction Equipment fought hard in the third round of the FIA World RX season in Belgium, salvaging crucial points to keep in the fight for the 2024 world titles.
“We prepared well and gave it our best, but ended up with almost nothing in return. Niclas faced some issues with his car on Saturday. Once it was resolved, he showed his pace with two heat wins and a semi-final win today,” said Jussi Pinomäki, Team Manager of CE Dealer Team.
“Klara also demonstrated good speed and made it through to the final, marking the first time both cars reached the final this season. We need to move on and come back stronger next time. Portugal is a track that suits us and the drivers, and we’ll aim to bounce back - continuing our quest to showcase sustainable, inclusive and thrilling motorsport.”
Niclas Grönholm made a strong comeback after a tough first day at Mettet, where the Finnish rallycross driver was hampered by technical issues. On Sunday, he fought his way to the final and challenged for the podium right up to the finish line, ultimately securing fourth place.
The 28-year-old World RX star is currently fifth in the driver standings, staying firmly in contention for the championship medals.
"I want to thank the team for fixing my car so I could race today, we worked hard together as always. I won the heats and the semi-final, earning maximum points up to that stage. I had a strong start in the final, but the first turn was chaotic, and I got hit. It's frustrating because we know we had the speed this weekend to achieve a better result, but that's rallycross for you. We just need to keep working hard and come back stronger in Portugal, we all know we have the package to keep in the world title fight and that’s what we are here for," said Niclas Grönholm.
Klara Andersson also faced a challenging weekend in Mettet, battling multiple punctures. Despite the setbacks, the Swedish rallycross ace reached the final on both days in her 100% electric PWR RX1e, finishing fifth and sixth.
In the championship standings, she is right behind her team-mate Niclas Grönholm in sixth place.
"We got both cars to the final, which is a positive. Unfortunately, I took a big hit, and that ruined the final for me today. But even though it wasn't our best weekend, I'm really happy and grateful for the support from all our partners and fans who were here, supporting us through the good and the bad. I'm looking forward to Portugal and returning to a track where we have great memories," said Klara Andersson.
CE Dealer Team had more 100 guests on site in Belgium from hosting dealer SMT, as well as from team partners Parker and Engcon - featuring on a large activation site at the Mettet circuit.
Volvo Construction Equipment is the Official Track Building Partner to the FIA World RX championship in 2024 and showcased its product range and innovative services throughout the Belgian round - keeping the Mettet circuit in perfect condition.
Currently holding third in the standings, CE Dealer Team will continue its all-electric journey for the next round in Portugal in three weeks.
Full results and standings after the FIA World RX of Benelux weekend.
About CE Dealer Team by Volvo Construction Equipment
CE Dealer Team was founded in 2022 by the PWR Group in cooperation with Volvo Construction Equipment and its partners. The core goal of the rallycross programme is to drive the shift to improved sustainability and diversity in society and highlight the excitement that a move to an electric future offers. CE Dealer Team is run with support from independent dealers of Volvo Construction Equipment, along with several prominent industrial partners, who together share a commitment to leading a sustainable future, both on track and off.
About FIA World Rallycross Championship
An evolution of the popular FIA European Rallycross Championship, the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) was launched in 2014. Representing the international pinnacle of the dual-surface discipline, the series blends cutting-edge innovation with family-friendly spectator appeal and visits some of the most iconic venues in the sport. In evidence of its commitment to sustainability, World RX entered a new era in 2022 by embracing electric technology, while 2024 heralds the beginning of the ‘Battle of Technologies’, as the championship’s powerful EV cars take on their sustainably-fuelled combustion counterparts on equal terms for the first time.
