Race & news - 1998

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F.I.A. EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP- Final Overall Standings 1998
SWEDISH RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP - Final Overall Standings 1998

 

1998.09.27	Kenneth second after Jernberg	The Czech Rep.-ERC
98.09.20	KENNETH IS THE CHAMPION!!!	Germany - ERC
98.09.12	Kenneth second in Götene	Götene - SRC
98.09.07	Kenneth won in Norway	Norway - ERC
98.08.28	Kenneth on second place in Gothenburg	Gothenburg - "Ullevi Supreme Rallycross"
98.08.11	Kenneth won in Belgium	Belgium - ERC
98.08.02	Kenneth fifth in Älvsbyn	Älvsbyn - SRC
98.07.26	Sällström won a scandalous A-final in Piteå	Piteå - SRC
98.07.12	Kenneth second after Schanche in Finland	Finland - ERC
98.07.05	Kenneth only fourth in Höljes	Höljes - SRC
98.06.28	Kenneth second after Eklund in England	England - ERC
98.06.07	Kenneth sixth in Sweden	Sweden - ERC
98.06.06	Second place for Kenneth in Tomelilla	Tomelilla - SRC
98.05.24	Kenneth fifth in the A-final in FRANCE	France - ERC
98.05.10	KENNETH SECOND IN PORTUGAL	Portugal - ERC
98.05.03	KENNETH WON THE ERC IN AUSTRIA	Austria - ERC

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THE F.I.A. EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
1998
10 of 10 rounds

Pos	Name	Nat	A	P	F	S	GB	SF	B	N	D	CZ	TOTAL
1	HANSEN	S	20	17	(12)	(11)	(17)	17	20	20	17	17	128
2	EKLUND	S	17	20	(11)	(13)	20	15	(9)	17	15	15	119
3	SCHANCHE	N	13	(11)	15	15	(-)	20	17	(11)	20	13	113
4	JERNBERG	S	12	15	13	17	(11)	(-)	15	(12)	13	20	104
5	HUNSBEDT	N	15	12	20	12	(-)	13	(11)	(0)	11	11	94
6	JOKINEN	SF	-	9	8			12	10	10	12		61
7	FRANSSEN	B	5	10	3	8	6		8	(1)	5		45
8	PAILLER	F			17		15		13				45
9	JIROVEC	CZ	9	7	2	9				5	0	12	44
10	STERKENS	B	7		4	3			7	9	8		38

The Swedish Rallycross Championship 1998
5 of 5 rounds
Division 1
Of the four first rounds the lowest score is allowed to take away. The final race (in Götene) has to be taken into account. 

Pos	Name	Nat	Tomelilla	Höljes	Piteå	Älvsbyn	Götene	TOTAL
1	JERNBERG	S	20	( 0)	13	15	20	68
2	EKLUND	S	13	17	17	(11)	15	62
3	SÄLLSTRÖM	S	15	15	20	(13)	11	61
4	HANSEN	S	17	13	(12)	12	17	59
5	KRISTOFFERSSON	S	( - )	11	11	20	13	55
6	WICKSELL	S	12	12	(10)	17	12	53

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September 27

ERC Round 10
The Czech Republic, Sosnova September 27-28 1998

Kenneth on second place after the winner Michael Jernberg

Michael Jernberg won the last race this season in the F.I.A. European Rallycross Championship at Sosnova in the Czech Republic.
Kenneth, who started from fourth position, was second after a thrilling fight with Martin Schanche on a wet and slippery circuit.
On the second last lap Martin spins off the track and almost took Kenneth with him. But some how Kenneth manages to survive the incident and could go on to take the second place. Martin had to retire. That made a distant Per Eklund climb to third place.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 10. The Czech Republic

Pos:	Name:	Points:
1	JERNBERG, Michael	20 p.
2	HANSEN, Kenneth	17 p.
3	EKLUND, Per	15 p.
4	JIROVEC, Jiri	13 p.
5	SCHANCHE, Martin	12 p.
6	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig	11 p.

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September 20

ERC Round 9
Germany, Buxtehude. September 19-20 1998

KENNETH IS THE 1998 F.I.A. EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPION

Kenneth secured his title as the 1998 F.I.A. European Rallycross Champion by being second after his arch rival Martin Schanche in the A-final of the penultimate race 1998 in Buxtehude in Germany.
This title makes Kenneth the first one ever to take seven European Championship gold. Up to now it was Kenneth and Martin how had six titles each.

- It's absolutely wonderful, says Kenneth with the biggest smile of the day. We had another great fight in the A-final Martin and me. Now we will celebrate the whole evening.

For the Championship Kenneth had the upper hand on his two title rivals, Martin and Per Eklund. Both Martin and Per had first of all to win the race. If Martin won Kenneth could afford to be third and if Per won Kenneth had to be second.
So being in pole position for the A-final was a quite nice situation for Kenneth.

In the A-final Kenneth lost the start to Martin Schanche. But Kenneth managed to came out as second, closely followed by Per Eklund.  For the first lap they were like train wagons. After three of the five laps Martin and Kenneth had pulled away some 50 meters from Per. On the second last lap Martin made a small mistake and Kenneth overtook him. Out on the last lap Kenneth had a few meters on Martin and braked a fraction earlier.
- Martin took me a little with surprise by coming up on my inside and overtaking meat that point, explained Kenneth. But OK I didn't stop him. It was not the right moment to risk anything. Second place was good enough for me today.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 9. Germany

Pos:	Name:	Points:
1	SCHANCHE, Martin	20 p.
2	HANSEN, Kenneth	17 p.
3	EKLUND, Per	15 p.
4	JERNBERG, Michael	13 p.
5	JOKINEN, Marko	12 p.
6	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig	11 p.

POINTS OF THE F.I.A. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 1998

Pos:	Name:	Points:
1	HANSEN, Kenneth	123 p.
2	SCHANCHE, Martin	112 p.
3	EKLUND, Per	108 p.
4	JERNBERG, Michael	96 p.
5	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig	94 p.
6	JOKINEN, Marko	61 p.

We are the best, seems Kenneth and Martin to agree on with each other.


JS Photo og Reportasje, Photo by: Tom Østerby
Martin overtakes Kenneth on the last lap of the A-final in Germany

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September 12

SRC Round 5
Götene. September 12 1998

HANSEN SECOND IN THE SRC-FINAL. JERNBERG CHAMPION

Kenneth Hansen was actually quite happy with his second place in the last round of the Swedish Rallycross Championship at his home circuit on Kinnekulle Ring, although it didn’t give him more than a fourth place overall.
Michael Jernberg won the race and took the Swedish Championship crown in the big category, division 1.

- I had a rather difficult start of the day, but it got better and better, explains Hansen. In the A-final I did a superb start from second row, but got stuck on the outside in the first corner. For a while I was even driving in the sand trap. I was lucky to come out third again after Michael Jernberg and Tommy Kristoffersson

Kenneth hanged on to Kristoffersson and tried to find an overtaking opportunity. On the second lap Kristoffersson slide a little wide and Kenneth immediately took the chance and moved into second place.
Michael drove steady in the lead without any mistakes. Hansen moved closer and closer to Jernberg and was only 10-12 meters behind over the finish line.

Lasse Sällström, who was in the lead before the this final round, had to retire already on the first lap due to an incident with Per Eklund.

(The protest against Per Eklund was rejected)

Results from the Swedish Rallycross Championship, Round 5. Götene

Pos:	Name:	Points:
1	JERNBERG, Michael	20 p.
2	HANSEN, Kenneth	17 p.
3	EKLUND, Per	15 p.
4	KRISTOFFERSSON, Tommy	13 p.
5	WICKSELL, Dick	12 p.
6	SÄLLSTRÖM, Lasse	11 p.

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September 7

ERC Round 8
Norway, Lyngås. September 7-8 1998

KENNETH WON IN NORWAY

 
European Champions of 1998? (YES it is now!)
The winner of division 2, Eivind Opland, celebrates together with the winner of division 1, Kenneth Hansen after their successful weekend in Norway. These are the two who now has the best chances to take the titles this year.

Kenneth Hansen took a superior victory in the Norwegian round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship.
The A-final was in the beginning a tough fight between Hansen and his arch rival Martin Schanche from Norway.
- Yes, it's simply wonderful, smiles a very happy Hansen as he claims victory in front of 16.000 spectators on Lyngås Circuit.
- Almost everything has been perfect this weekend. The car, the team and not least of all myself. I have been very focused on this race, says Kenneth.

Kenneth had pole position, but was not 100% confident he would manage to hold off Martin Schanche, who had second grid position, through the first corner. Thanks to a rocket start by Hansen, he was equal with Schanche on the start straight. Through the first corner Schanche slide a little wide and Hansen could take the lead.
Schanche hanged on to Hansen and chased fiercely. Until two laps remained. Then Martin had caught a flat tire, due to the hard driving over the curbs, and had to retire.
Kenneth and Martin were in a class of their own in this final and had at this stage been pulling away so that Hansen now could cruise unthreatened to the finish line to take his third victory of the year.
Per Eklund came in as second, eight seconds behind. Number three was the Norwegian Steinar Jöranli.

Hansen's victory took him a big step towards another ERC gold medal as two rounds of the FIA European Rallycross Championship remains, first in Germany September 19-20 and in the Czech Republic the weekend after.

Kenneth has taken the lead in the 7:th round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship at Lyngås Circuit in Norway. Martin Schanche tries to find another line as he chases Hansen hard.

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August 28

"Ullevi Supreme Rallycross"
Göteborg. August 28 1998

Successful race in Gothenburg

15.000 cheerful spectators saw Kenneth finished second after Michael Jernberg in "Ullevi Supreme Rallycross" in Gothenburg. It was a close and thrilling race between the two. It was Jernberg who took the start in front of Kenneth. On the second lap Kenneth went into the lead as Jernberg did his "long" lap. Kenneth now had to try to get a good lead so that he also could do his "long"  lap without losing the first place. But unfortunately Kenneth did two small mistakes and Michael managed to stay just behind Kenneth. So as Kenneth had to do his "long" lap as the last one Michael went into the lead again and won.
Per Eklund was third but never in close contact with the leading duo.

"Ullevi Supreme Rallycross" was a success! More or less everyone enjoyed the "new" rallycross format. The first corner had two possibilities, either you could take the inside line on tarmac, which of course would give the leading position, or you could take the outside route, which was on gravel and of course slower. But the point is that everyone had to at least once go on the slower, "long" lap of the five laps in each heat. So a great deal of tactics had to be considered, so that you did the long lap in the right moment.

The qualification was also different from an ordinary rallycross event. Instead of three qualifying heats, you had to finish among the three best in the heat to move further to the next qualifying session.  
Kenneth won the quarter- and semi finals, and as you now he was second in the final.

After each final in the three divisions (1, 2 and Super National) a Supreme final ended the evening. To this final qualified the two best in each category. They started with handicap so that the Super National started a few seconds before division 2, who also started a few seconds before division 1.
Lars Larsson in a Volvo 240 in the Super National class won this final in front of division 2 Stig Olov Walfridsson and as number three came Michael Jernberg. Kenneth had to retire with a broken gearbox.

Results of the division 1 FINAL of the "Ullevi Supreme Rallycross"

Pos.	Name:	Car
1	JERNBERG, Michael	Ford Escort
2	HANSEN, Kenneth	Citroen Xsara
3	EKLUND, Per	Saab 93
4	KRISTOFFERSSON, Tommy	Audi
5	SÄLLSTRÖM, Lasse	Ford Escort
6	WICKSELL, Dick	Audi

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August 11

ERC Round 7
Belgium, Maasmechelen. August 10-11 1998.

Victory for Hansen in Belgium and up in the lead of the championship

Martin Schanche, Kenneth Hansen and Michael Jernberg celebrates in Belgium.

Kenneth Hansen won the seventh round of the F.I.A. European Rallycross Championship in Belgium after a close and thrilling fight with the Norwegian Martin Schanche. With this victory Hansen also moves up to the lead of the championship with 9 points before the former leader Per Eklund, who was only third in the B-final.

- It was wonderful to finally take a victory again, says a very happy Hansen. Earlier it has been working well during qualifying but in the finals I have not had so much luck. Until today, when most things went right.

Martin Schanche had pole position in the A-final. Kenneth was on the second position beside him. Hansen made a perfect start and could take the lead after the first corner. Schanche gave Hansen a hard fight through out the whole final and once they were side by side. Kenneth managed although to defend his position thanks to great routine and did not do any mistakes. The victory was Hansen's.
- I knew that with Martin it should be a fair race. But at the same time I was aware of the fact that I had to go as fast as possible, otherwise Martin would get tougher in his attacks, Hansen explains. As a contrary to the Swedish Championship this was a good, fair and sportive race. When Eklund is not in the A-final there are no major crashes.

Michael Jernberg came in on third place, but were never able to match the leading duo.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 7. Belgium.

Pos.	Name:	Points:
1	HANSEN, Kenneth  (S  / Citroen)	20 p.
2	SCHANCHE, Martin  (N  /  Ford)	17 p.
3	JERNBERG, Michael (S  /  Ford)	15 p.
4	PAILLER, Jean-Luc (F  /  Citroen)	13 p.
5	JÖRANLI, Steinar  (N  /  Opel)	12 p.
6	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig  (N  / Ford)	11 p.

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August 2

SRC Round 4
Älvsbyn. August 1-2 1998

Kristoffersson won and Hansen only fifth

Tommy Kristoffersson won the A-final of the 4:th round of the Swedish Rallycross Championship in Älvsbyn. Kenneth who had pole position was caught twice in start accidents, but managed to cross the finish line as second after a miraculously recovery with a superb drive in the A-final's second restart.

The first start was red flagged and restarted due to a start accident which involved Hansen, Jernberg and Eklund, whom all got stranded in the first corner.

In the second start Eklund pushed Hansen off the circuit, letting Tommy Kristoffersson through from the outside. Per Eklund was black flagged on the fourth lap for non-sportive driving and disqualified from the final.

Kenneth made a superb drive and took himself to second place over the finish line. But that only lasted a few minutes because Hansen was disqualified after the finish for overtaking Wicksell under yellow flag on the first lap. The flag was waved for Jernberg who retired already just after the start. Hansen claimed he never saw the flag and if he had there were no problems for him to overtake Wicksell on a later stage of the final as this overtaking occurred so early in the race.

Results from the Swedish Rallycross Championship, Round 4. Älvsbyn.

Pos.	Name:	Points:
1	KRISTOFFERSSON, Tommy (Audi)	20 p.
2	WICKSELL, Dick  (Audi)	17 p.
3	JERNBERG, Michael (Ford)	15 p.
4	SÄLLSTRÖM, Lasse (Ford)	13 p.
5	HANSEN, Kenneth  (Citroen)	12 p.
6	EKLUND, Per  (Saab)	11 p.

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July 26

SRC Round 3
Piteå. July 26 1998

A SCANDALOUS A-FINAL IN THE SWEDISH CHAMPIONSHIP

- A scandal, Kenneth Hansen says irritated, about the terrible start of the A-final of the third round of the Swedish Championship.
-The teams spends millions of crowns in this business so it's a big shame that the organisers can't act more professional. A proper start light is the least you can ask for.

Despite the fact that Per Eklund's car moves a couple of meters in the start no false start is indicated but the light shifts to green anyway. The rest of the field is forced to follow Eklund when they realise that the judge will not abandon the start.
Kenneth Hansen, who once again had pole position, has an advantage of his inside line into the first corner and manages to take the lead. But then Michael Jernberg comes right into Hansen's side and both goes off the circuit.
In the commotion the newcomer Lasse Sällström takes the lead. Per Eklund, who comes out as second, can't match the speed of Sällström and he takes his first victory in the big category.

Kenneth Hansen makes an impressive recovery with his demolished car. On the second last lap he has advanced to second place, but then he has to retire with a broken car, to the big disappointment of the spectators.
Tommy Kristoffersson, who is the last to leave the startgrid in the chaotic start, also makes a nice recovery. He attacks Per Eklund on the last lap and manages to overtake him, but gets disqualified for unfair driving.

Lasse Sällström is now in the overall lead in the Swedish Championship ahead of Eklund and Hansen. The next round of the Swedish Championship is the following weekend in Älvsbyn.

Results from the Swedish Rallycross Championship, Round 3. Piteå.

Pos.	Name:	Points:
1	SÄLLSTRÖM, Lasse (S  /  Ford)	20 p.
2	EKLUND, Per  (S  /  Saab)	17 p.
3	HANE, Anna ( S  / Audi)	15 p.
4	JERNBERG, Michael (S  / Ford)	13 p.
5	HANSEN, Kenneth  (S  /  Citroen)	12 p.
6	KRISTOFFERSSON, T (S  / Audi)	11 p.

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July 12

ERC Round 6
Finland, Hämenlinna. July 11-12 1998

SCHANCHE WON BEFORE HANSEN IN FINLAND

Kenneth Hansen moved up to second place in the Finish round of the European Rallycross Championship after a close fight with the Norwegians Martin Schanche and Ludvig Hunsbedt.
It was Schanche who won. He took the lead immediately from pole position. But he had to work hard to keep away from Hunsbedt and Hansen.
Kenneth was third after Ludvig until the last lap. Hunsbedt then made a small mistake as he chased Schanche and Hansen took at once the opportunity to overtake.

- It was a pity that I didn't get past him earlier other wise I believe I could had given Schanche a harder fight, Kenneth says, satisfied after all.

Per Eklund was third, as he also overtook Hunsbedt only a few corners before the finish line.

The ERC season, which now goes into the second part, still leads by Per Eklund, two points before Kenneth Hansen, with 96 and 94 points respectively. Martin Schanche moved today up to third place with 74 points.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 6. Finland.

Kenneth in action at the Finish round of the ERC in Hämenlinna, July 11-12

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July 5

SRC Round 2
Höljes July 4-5 1998

Kenneth only fourth after a terrible start in the A-final.

Kenneth, who had pole position in the A-final, lost every chance to victory when he his engine stopped in the start. He was left standing still on the start line as the others headed for the first corner. When he finally got going again he was half a lap behind.
But after one lap he had caught up with fourth man Dick Wicksell. Catching up is one thing and overtaking an other. Not until the second last lap he managed to pass Wicksell and again he was soon on next mans tail, Lasse Sällström, but he never got an opportunity to go by. So Kenneth finished only fourth after an otherwise brilliant day.
- I feel it as pure bad luck, Kenneth comments. There were three jump starts and on all three I was very sharp on the lights. But in the fourth and correct start I had got to much heat and grip in my tyres so the engine stopped. It's just one of those things that can happened.

It Jan Arthur Iversen who surprised everybody with taking the lead and keeping it all the way to the finish line. Per Eklund got second after chasing Iversen hard the whole final.

After two rounds in the Swedish Championship there are three leaders, Per Eklund, Lasse Sällström and Kenneth with 30 points each.

Results from the Swedish Rallycross Championship, Round 2. Höljes.

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June 28

ERC Round 5
England Pembrey. June 27-28 1998

Hansen second after Eklund in England

Once again it was a close fight between the rallycross rivals Kenneth Hansen and Per Eklund in the English round of the European Championship in Pembrey. Eklund won with a narrow margin before Hansen, who chased Eklund like a shadow the whole final without succeeding to get by.
- It is only to congratulate Per today, says a slightly disappointed Hansen. I was side by side with Per several times, but he is an experienced driver and didn't make any mistakes, so it was hard to find an overtaking opportunity.

Kenneth had pole position in the A-final and a golden chance, especially when Michael Jernberg who had the second grid position, didn't make it to the start due to engine problems.
- I took a chance on the green light in the start, Kenneth explains, as I knew Eklund would do that being on the row behind me. But despite that Eklund was half a car length before me to the first corner and I had to let him go. It feels a little hard right now, but on the other hand a second place is good to have when we reach the end of the season. Kenneth Hansen was the first one to congratulate Eklund to his victory. They showed today that there isn't always hard feelings between the two when they met in close races.

Per Eklund leads the Championship with 81 p., Kenneth is second with 77 p.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 5. England.

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June 7

ERC Round 4
Sweden, Arvika. June 6-7 1998

Kristoffersson won in Arvika. Another disappointing race for Hansen.

Sweden Arvika,
Kristoffersson won the highly dramatic A-final on his home circuit in Arvika, where the Swedish round of the European Rallycross Championship was settled.
Kenneth Hansen had another disappointing race weekend. Through victory in the B-final he finally made it to the all important A-final. And there it seemed as luck changed to his advantaged for a moment. But no.

- I’m actually really sad, Hansen sighs. I don’t think I deserved that also what happened in the A-final. Especially not after all the things we had to struggle with during the qualification rounds.

From the sixth and last start positions Kenneth can sneak on the inside when most of the field crashes in the first corner. Only Tommy Kristoffersson and Martin Schanche, who goes side by side, was before Kenneth. Martin goes off the circuit and Kenneth can start chasing Tommy. A lap later Kenneth overtakes Tommy but has to let him re-pass again.

- I was just behind Tommy, Kenneth says, when I feel a big bang and I flies off the track. It was Jernberg who said he couldn’t see me properly because off all the mud on his windscreen.

Kenneth finally gets going again, but after the finish he gets disqualified for an incident on the last lap with Per Eklund. Jernberg finished as second and Schanche third. Hunsbedt retires after half the final with a damaged suspension.
The rain made the conditions on the circuit terribly difficult. Not an undamaged car as far you could see.

Schanche was furious after the final on the miserable job the judges and the clerk of the course was doing and made a protested himself on Kristoffersson.
What Jernberg did to Hansen was a scandal, not least because the judges neglected it.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 4. Sweden.

Pos:	Name:	Nat./Car	Points:
1 A	KRISTOFFERSSON, Tommy	Swe / Audi	20 p.
2 A	JERNBERG, Michael	Swe. / Ford Escort	17 p.
3 A	SCHANCHE, Martin	Nor. / Ford RS 2000	15 p.
4 A	Eklund, Per	Swe. / Saab 9/3	13 p.
5 A	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig	Nor. / Ford RS2000	12 p.
6 A	HANSEN, Kenneth	Swe. / Citroen Xsara	Disqualified / 11 p.

OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER 4 ROUNDS OF 10

Pos:	Name:	Nat:	Points:
1	EKLUND, Per	Swe.	61 p.
2	HANSEN, Kenneth	Swe.	60 p.
3	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig	Nor.	59 p.
4	JERNBERG, Michael	Swe.	57 p.
5	SCHANCHE, Martin	Nor.	54 p.

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May 31

Jernberg took the victory before Kenneth in Tomelilla

It was Michael Jernberg how won the first round of the Swedish Rallycross Championship in Tomelilla on May 30-31.
Kenneth had pole position and was in the lead when a touch on the rear side from Jernberg made Kenneth go wide. This opened a gap for Jernberg who overtook the leading position. From that point Jernberg had it all under control. Kenneth fought hard to catch up and did then a few mistakes and where never in the reach of Jernberg.

Lasse Sällström, a debutante in the class, took a worthy third place after keeping Per Eklund behind him the whole final.

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May 24

ERC Round 3
France, Alencon May 23-24 1998

Eklund disqualified after pushing Hansen off the circuit

Per Eklund got disqualified by the clerk of the course after pushing Kenneth Hansen off the circuit when fighting for fourth position in the French round of the European Rallycross Championship in Alencon.

The Norwegian Ludvig Hunsbedt took an easy victory by leading from start to finish.

- Yes, if you don’t get excluded for hitting someone like that the black flag is not needed, says a tired and disappointed Kenneth. It has absolutely not been my day. Second place after Hunsbedt in the first qualifying round was OK, but a small fire in the second heat and a missed start in the third made me struggle through B-final to reach the A-final. And then the day ends by being pushed off the circuit.

In the A-final Hunsbedt went into the lead immediately from pole position. The Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler and Martin Schanche fought for second place, but despite many attacks from Schanche he were never able to overtake Pailler.

Per Eklund was fourth after the start and soon got chased by Kenneth Hansen, who managed to overtake Jernberg in an early stage of the race.

On the fifth lap Kenneth finally succeeds to pass Eklund on the inside before the long gavel straight.

- When we gets closer to the hairpin corner at the end of the straight I’m prepared to be attacked from the rear by Eklund, Kenneth says. But I could never dream of being hit so hard.

Kenneth spins off the circuit and is standing in the wrong direction before he gets going again. He crosses the finish line as the last man, Per on fourth place and Jernberg on fifth. After Eklund gets disqualified Jernberg and Hansen goes up one place.

Kenneth now leads the overall standings of the European Rallycross Championship with 49 points. Eklund has 48 points and Hunsbedt 47 points.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 3. France.

Pos:	Name:	Nat./Car	Points:
1 A	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig	Nor. / Ford RS 2000	20 p.
2 A	PAILLER, J-L	Fra. / Citroen Xantia	17 p.
3 A	SCHANCHE, Martin	Nor. / Ford RS 2000	15 p.
4 A	JERNBERG, Michael	Swe. / Ford Escort	13 p.
5 A	HANSEN, Kenneth	Swe. / Citroen Xsara	12 p.
	Eklund, Per	Swe. / Saab 9/3	Disqualified / 11 p.

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May 10

ERC Round 2
Portugal, Lousada May 9-10 1998

Kenneth Hansen second after Per Eklund in the A-final in Portugal.

Per Eklund won the second round of the European Rallycross Championship in Portugal before Kenneth Hansen. Hansen and Eklund are now sharing the lead in the overall standings.
The A-final was one of the most dramatic and varying one for a long time. Not less than four leaders during the six rain wet A-final laps.

- Of course I'm glad for my second place, Kenneth says. It was an...eventful final is the least one can say. But that's the way rallycross should be.
- I had a very good start from my position on the second row, Kenneth comments.
Schanche, who had pole position had problems and didn't move from the start line. Into the first corner Hunsbedt had the lead with half a car length. I managed to hang on and could pass Ludvig up on the gravel straight.

It was then when Michael Jernberg came as a rocket passing by Kenneth and overtook the leadership. Per Eklund , who was on the last row on the grid, found some space on Kenneth's inside into the second corner. He gives Kenneth a little push in the door and squeezes past him.

Half a lap later both Jernberg and Eklund slides wide and Hansen takes immediately his chance to regain the lead. But it only lasted for one lap. Kenneth makes a mistake. The chasing couple Jernberg and Eklund overtakes Kenneth.
Kenneth, who has a problem with the windscreen wipers, struggles with poor visibility behind Eklund, but hangs on to his rear bumper.

On the second last lap it's Jernberg's turn to make a mistake. Eklund and Hansen doesn't wait for an other chance but goes by.
Eklund manages to keep Kenneth behind him this time and wins. Jernberg is third.

- It has been a good weekend, Kenneth says with a smile. Except it was Eklund who won instead of me. That's the way it is. If you don't have that little bit of luck it's difficult to win in this company. 

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 2. Portugal.

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May 3

ERC Round 1
Austria. May 2-3 1998.

KENNETH HANSEN WON THE OPENING ROUND IN THE ERC AFTER A DRAMATIC DUEL WITH PER EKLUND!

A dramatic A-final in the opening round of the European Rallycross Championship was finally won by Kenneth Hansen just before Per Eklund, who had the lead until half a lap remained. Kenneth’s new weapon in the fight for an other ERC-gold, a 500 horsepower strong Citroen Xsara, seemed to be what was needed to be able to fight for victories again.

- Simply wonderful! It looked quite difficult after my poor start in the A-final, but I just kept my head down and gave it all I had, Hansen says with a big smile after the thrilling final.

- I was on pole position in the A-final, but couldn’t hang on when Eklund and Hunsbedt made rocket starts. I kept my line into the first corner and managed to come out as number two after Per.

For five and a half laps Kenneth struggled in the dust behind Per, who sometimes was fast and sometimes slow. Behind Kenneth attacked Ludvig Hunsbedt. In the middle of the final Per pulled away a little and then Kenneth could also pull way some 10 meters from Hunsbedt.

Not until half a lap remained Kenneth got a proper overtaking possibility on Per and then he didn’t hesitate. Kenneth went on the inside and could accelerate past Per out of the corner.

-Already on the first lap I realised that my chance to overtake him was there, Kenneth says. I have never given up before the finish line and I didn’t plan do it today either.
-The car has been wonderful. Very easy to drive, Kenneth explains regarding his new Citroen Xsara. Despite the fact that we had to change for the less powerful spare engine on the practice yesterday it obviously hasn’t effected me that much. Now we ought to be able to give the Norwegians a real fight for the gold this year.

The reigning European Champion, Ludvig Hunsbedt was third and Kenneth's arch rival Martin Schanche ended on fourth place. Michael Jernberg, who hit problems after half the final came on fifth position. The Austrian Alois Höller was the last man in the A-final.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 1. Austria.

Pos.	Name:	Nat.	Car:	Time:
1  A	HANSEN, Kenneth	S	Citroen Xsara	3.54.98
2  A	EKLUND, Per	S	SAAB 9/3	3.55.46
3  A	HUNSBEDT, Ludvig	N	Ford Escort	3.56.47
4  A	SCHANCHE, Martin	N	Ford Escort	4.01.61
5  A	JERNBERG, Michael	S	Ford Escort	4.19.52
6  A	HÖLLER, Alois	A	Lancia	0 laps
7  B	WILD, Helmut	D	Seat Ibiza	4.19.78
8  B	JIROVEC, Jiri	CZ	Mitsubishi	4.33.57
9  B	IVERSEN, Martin	N	Ford Escort	2 laps
10 B	STERKENS, Jos	B	Ford Mondeo	1 lap

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