Race & news - 2003

(Link to 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)

Please choose:

F.I.A. EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP - Overall standings
SWEDISH RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP - Overall standings


2003 F.I.A. EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
AND SWEDISH RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

2003.09.28	Points - The final results of the 2004 Championships
2003.09.28	Kenneth Hansen finished his 11:th title with victory in Germany	ERC Germany
2003.09.21	The Citroen-Hansen team won their 11:th FIA European Championship title.	ERC Poland
2003.09.13	Kenneth won the SRC final on Kinnekulle	SRC Götene
2003.09.12	Preview: Kenneth aiming for victory in the final SRC round
2003.09.07	Kenneth on second place in Norway	ERC Norway
2003.08.30	Kenneth only fourth in Strangnas	SRC Strängnäs
2003.08.17	Kenneth won in Holland!	ERC Holland
2003.08.10	Kenneth Hansen won in Belgium	ERC Belgium
2003.06.07	Kenneth Hansen won in Holjes	ERC Sweden
2003.06.28	Kenneth won the A-final in Kalix after a thrilling race!	SRC Kalix
2003.06.15	Kenneth retired in the A-final in the Czech Republic with technical problems.	ERC The Czech Rep.
2003.06.08	Kenneth won the A-final in Austria	ERC Austria
2003.05.31	Kenneth only 4:th in the A-final after spinning out on the first lap. Lars Larsson won in Tomelilla!	SRC Tomelilla
2003.05.25	Kenneth on  second place after a fantastic final.	ERC France
2003.05.18	Victory for Kenneth in the A-final in Portugal	ERC Portugal
2003.04.23	Kenneth Hansen is testing in Strangnas
2003.05.16	Time schedule on SVT24 for the first races in the European- and Swedish Championships.
	Race calendar 2003

---

September 28

The final results of the 2003 FIA European Rallycross Championship, division 1

The final results of the 2003 Swedish Rallycross Championship, division 1

Pos	Name	Nat	Tomelilla 31/5	Kalix 28/6	Strangnas 30/8	Gotene 13/9	TOTAL
1	Lars LARSSON Audi A4	S	20	15	17	17	69
2	Kenneth HANSEN Citroen Xsara	S	13	20	13	20	66
3	Per EKLUND Saab 93	S	17	17	11	13	58
4	Morgan ANTONSSON Saab 93	S	11	10	15	12	48
5	Michael JERNBERG Ford Focus	S	0	11	20	15	46
6	Stig-Olov WALFRIDSSON Ford Focus	S	15	12	10	0	37
7	Per JOHANSSON Hyundai Acc	S	0	13	12	11	36
8	Kennet OLSEN Ford Focus	DK	12	8	0	9	29
9	Marko JOKINEN Peugeot 206	SF	0	0	9	10	19

 

TOP

---

September 28

ERC Round 10
Germany, Buxtehude. September 27-28 2003

Kenneth Hansen finished his 11:th title with victory in Germany.

Kenneth Hansen and his team will tonight celebrate an easy victory in the final round of the FIA European Championship, which took place on Estering in Germany. After difficulties in the qualifying sessions the new crowned champion managed to get his driving back on track for the A-final.
- I gambled in the start, but well in the lead I gave it all, Kenneth says after a convincing finish to his 11:th ERC-title and continues:
- After the poor third place in the B-final in Poland last weekend, when the title was secured, I wanted to get to the podium at least. And I did. It feels great.

Per Eklund, on second place had nothing to answer with when Hansen set off in the distance to show why he just has taken a new gold medal. The Norwegian Morten Bermingrud, who was third, didn’t manage to match the Eklund speed. Lars Larsson rolled in qualifying, but came back for the finals and finished fourth followed by the Dutch Jos Kuypers on fifth.
Ludvig Hunsbedt had pole position in the A-final but was not able to make it to the final as his car was cracked in a crash in the third heat session.

Hansen celebrated traditionally after the finish line with spectacular pirouettes. Perhaps a bit too spectacular if you ask the Hansen-mechanics who saw their driver misjudging the available space and crashed into the rail as well.

The well-known rally driver Thomas Rådström did come back in rallycross. He finished in 10:th place today.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 10. Germany Buxtehude.

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth HANSEN	Swe	Citroen Xsara	20
2	Per EKLUND	Swe	Saab 93	17
3	Morten BERMINGRUD	Nor	Citroen Xsara	15
4	Lars LARSSON	Swe	Audi A4	13
5	Jos KUYPERS	Ned	Ford Focus	12
6	Ludvig HUNSBEDT	Nor	Ford Focus	11

Overall standings after 10 of 10 rounds in the FIA European Rallycross Championship 2003

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth HANSEN	Swe	Citroen Xsara	154
2	Per EKLUND	Swe	Saab 93	125
3	Jean-Luc PAILLER	Fra	Peugeot 206	113
4	Ludvig HUNSBEDT	Nor	Ford Focus	112
5	Lars LARSSON	Swe	Audi A4	105
6	Jos KUYPERS	Ned	Ford Focus	104

Photo: Loix



Photo: Loix



Photo: Loix
Kenneth won in Germany!!! After a difficult day Kenneth could celebrate an easy victory a head of Per Eklund. Morten Bermingrud finished third followed by Lars Larsson and Jos Kuypers.
- A wonderful end to a hard weekend and a good finish to my 11:th title, Kenneth smiles.



Photo: Loix



Photo: Loix

TOP

---

September 21

ERC Round 9
Poland, Slomczyn. September 20-21 2003

Kenneth Hansen took his 11:th  FIA European Championship title

Kenneth Hansen and Lars Larsson have all the reasons to celebrate tonight. Hansen took his 11:th ERC-title and Larsson won his first ERC-event at the penultimate race in the European Championship in Poland.
- Wow, it feels great, Kenneth cheers. The race has been a complete disaster for me, so managing at least to take the few points needed to secure the ERC-gold is wonderful. It is not that often I find a third place in a B-final worth celebrating, but today is not an ordinary day.

Kenneth Hansen, a steady contender in the A-finals, only had to reach the B-final to have the title in his hand. A normal race day the victorious Hansen is most likely on the podium. Not since 1999 has he missed an A-final. Today was not like any other day. Kenneth was seventh in the first qualification round, fastest in the second and black flagged in the third (after a fight with Per Eklund). It was enough for pole position in the B-final, which ended with a third place for Hansen. The Norwegian Morten Bermingrud won it in front of Per Eklund.

- It was simple not my day; Kenneth says and is not too disappointed over the poor result. I had good speed on the circuit, but when the starts are not sharp enough it will not be better than this.

Lars Larsson, who took his first ERC victory, made an impressive work and lead from start to finish. He had his nerves under control and managed to hold the Norwegians Ludvig Hunsbedt (second) and Morten Bermingrud (third) behind. The Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler was fourth and the Czech Pavel Koutny fifth. On the sixth and final place came the Dutch Jos Kuypers.

Now remains only the last round of the European Championship this season. It takes place next weekend in Germany, just outside of Hamburg.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 9. Poland, Slomzcyn

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Lars LARSSON	Swe	Audi A4	20
2	Ludvig HUNSBEDT	Nor	Ford Focus	17
3	Morten BERMINGRUD	Nor	Citroen Xsara	15
4	Jean-Luc PAILLER	Fra	Peugeot 206	13
5	Pavel KOUTNY	Cze	Ford Focus	12
6	Jos KUYPERS	Ned	Ford Focus	11
8	Kenneth HANSEN	Swe	Citroen Xsara	9

Overall standings after 9 of 10 rounds in the FIA European Rallycross Championship

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth HANSEN	Swe	Citroen Xsara	143
2	Per EKLUND	Swe	Saab 93	118
3	Jean-Luc PAILLER	Fra	Peugeot 206	113
4	Ludvig HUNSBEDT	Nor	Ford Focus	112
5	Jos KUYPERS	Ned	Ford Focus	98
6	Lars LARSSON	Swe	Audi A4	98

Photo: Loix
The Citroen-Hansen team are the new FIA European Rallycross Champions!
Kenneth was only  third in the B-final (!) - but has all the reasons instead  to celebrate the new ERC title tonight.
Lars Larsson won the A-final, which was his first victory in the European Championship.


Photo: Loix
The mechanics Kennet Nyberg, Christer Haglund and Rickard Johansson was the first to celebrate Kenneth after he had gone out of the Citroen.


Photo: Loix


Photo: Loix


Photo: Loix

TOP

---

September 13

SRC Round 4
Götene, Kinnekulle Ring. September 13 2003

Kenneth Hansen won the SRC- final on Kinnekulle.

Kenneth Hansen had a perfect day at the final round of the Swedish Rallycross Championship at his home circuit Kinnekulle Ring. With two fastest qualifications, pole position in the A-final and then a safe lead from stat to finish, he could not be anything but happy despite getting ”only” the SRC-silver.
- I did everything I could; Kenneth says and congratulates the new Swedish Champion Lars Larsson.

Larsson had the opposite result to Hansen with a second place in the final and victory in the Championship. Hansen and Larsson stood side by side in the all important A-final. Kenneth’s chance for the title was down to a win for himself with Larsson best on fourth place. In the start Kenneth left with the lead while Larsson dropped to third when Per Eklund overtook in the first corner. Larsson managed though to take back second place when Eklund went for the alternative section. A manoeuvre that even cost him third place as Michael Jernberg went up to take the final podium place.

After the finish line and the customary spectacular victory pirouettes people entered the track to celebrate the two masters.

- I am completely exhausted now, Kenneth pants after the race. A lot of spectators, many guests in the VIP-unit, big expectations, a super tight time schedule and then having 100% focus on the competition.
- If I could not take the SRC-title today, I really wished for a victory here in front of the home spectators, Kenneth sums up the day. Now I will give it all next weekend to try to secure the European Championship title in the race in Poland next weekend.

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

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth HANSEN	Swe	Citroen Xsara	20
2	Lars LARSSON	Swe	Audi A4	17
3	Michael JERNBERG	Swe	Ford Focus	15
4	Per EKLUND	Swe	Saab 93	13
5	Per JOHANSSON	Swe	Hyundai	12
6	Morgan ANTONSSON	Swe	Saab 93	11

Final results of the Championship after 4 of 4 rounds (Tomelilla, Kalix, Strangnas, Gotene)

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Lars LARSSON	Swe	Audi A4	69
2	Kenneth HANSEN	Swe	Citroen Xsara	66
3	Per EKLUND	Swe	Saab 93	58
4	Morgan ANTONSSON	Swe	Saab 93	48
5	Michael JERNBERG	Swe	Ford Focus	46

Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf Fabbe Fabiansson
Kenneth won on Kinnekulle but finished second in the Swedish Championship. Lars Larsson had the opposite result, finishing second in the race and  won the Championship.


Photo: Ulf Fabbe Fabiansson

Cross cart
Kenneth was challenged by the Nordic cross cart Champion Santosh Berggren for a lap around Kinnekulle Ring in one top-prepared cross cart each.

- I really tried my best, Kenneth says after the race. I was not even close to have the same speed as Santosh in the practice session we had, but for the race I understood that I probably could go faster into the corner so I tried that. I managed to follow him quite good for the first half lap, but he was much better of course.
- I'm impressed by his natural driving skills and I am sure that if he gets the right chance in good cars he can be very successful, because in my eyes he has what it takes to make it.


Photo: Fabbe
Santosh Berggren won the race of champions in one top-prepared cross cart each for one lap around Kinnekulle Ring.  The motor sport experienced Kenneth was defeated by young Santosh.

The Nordic Champion in cross cart challenged Kenneth for a race of Champions in two top-prepared cross cart in one lap on Kinnekulle Ring. Guess who won...

Photo: Fabbe

TOP

---

September 12

PREVIEW:
Kenneth aims for victory at the final round of the Swedish Championship this Saturday.

The SRC-final looks promising. It will surely be an exiting race between the top three drivers. The reining champion Kenneth Hansen is on second place overall behind the leading Lars Larsson as they face the final round of the Championship at Kinnekulle Ring. Larsson has a six points advantage on Hansen, who is followed by Per Eklund, only one point adrift. Hansen and Eklund has to win the race to be able to get the SRC-title while then Larsson can be highest on fourth place. A final is a final and more prestigious than normally.

- I aim first of all for the victory in the race, Kenneth says. Then we will see how far it can get me. Sure it is my home circuit, but last year was the first time for a long time that I made it all the way here.

 Kenneth is in the middle of a hectic period with seven races in eight weeks. Last weekend it was the Norwegian round of the European Championship where he finished on second place after the winner Ludvig Hunsbedt. It was close that Hansen had secured the ERC-title already then, but he was forced to give up his fight for the highest points when the rear suspension failed in the A-final. It is now only missing four points for Kenneth to claim his eleventh FIA European Championship title. And hopefully it can happen in Poland next weekend. If Kenneth qualifies for the B-final the gold medal is his.

But now the Hansen-team is focusing on the race on Kinnekulle Ring. The Citroen Xsara of Kenneth was taken care of early Monday morning after the Norwegian round. This week everything has been checked from the Citroen chevrons on the front till the exhaust pipe at the rear end.
- We are trying to be as prepared as possible, Kenneth says and continues to put the gearbox back together again with his mechanics. Kinnekulle Ring is a demanding track, especially the start

The spectators will also see a race of champions. The Swedish Champion in cross kart, Santosh Berggren, has challenged the Swedish Champion in rallycross Kenneth Hansen for a lap on Kinnekulle Ring in a top prepared cross kart each.
- Of course I took the challenge, Kenneth smiles. Cross kart is a lot of fun and I hope to at least be able to give him a fight even if it will be difficult.

TOP

---

September 7

ERC Round 8
Norway, Lyngås. September 6-7 2003

Kenneth Hansen on second place in Norway

It was Ludvig Hunsbedt that took a the victory on his home-event in the Norwegian round of the European Championship at Lyngas circuit. Kenneth Hansen, who in the beginning of the race chased the quick Norwegian, was forced to give up when two laps remained.

- The rear suspension broke down on the rough track, Kenneth says. I felt the smell of oil in the car and all of a sudden the spring came flying through cockpit and landed in my lap during driving.

While Hunsbedt disappeared with the victory Hansen was busy keeping the other Norwegian Sverre Isachsen behind. With the smallest margin possible Kenneth managed to take second place. The Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler was pushing hard behind Isachsen and finished fourth. Per Eklund overtook Lars Larsson and they came in on fifth and sixth place.

– It has been difficult conditions here in Norway today with heavy rain all day, Kenneth explains. We had problems getting good starts so it was nice to get off the start line rather well in the A-final at least. We have had many exiting duels here Hunsbedt and me. Today he was the better one and it is only to congratulate him.

Kenneth is now close to take the Championship title. Had Kenneth won the ERC-gold had been secured as the hardest title competitor, Per Eklund, finished fifth. The second place by Hansen means that the Championship can be settled already in the next race in Poland in 14 days as Kenneth only need to take another 4 points.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 8. Norway, Lyngås Circuit.

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	20
2	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	17
3	Sverre Isachsen	N	Ford Focus	15
4	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	13
5	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	12
6	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	11

Overall standings after 8 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	134
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	108
3	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	100
4	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	95
5	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	87

Photo: Johnny Loix


Ludvig Hunsbedt won in Norway with Kenneth on second place.
- I had a hard time in the final, Kenneth says. So I'm pleased with the result considering the circumstances in the car.
Photo: Loix


Photo: Loix


Photo: Loix.

TOP

---

August 30

SRC Round 3
Strängnäs. August 29-30 2003

Kenneth Hansen only fourth in Strangnas

Somewhat unexpected it was Michael Jernberg who won the third round of the Swedish Rallycross Championship when the top trio, Lars Larsson, Per Eklund and Kenneth Hansen, had both bigger and smaller problems in the A-final.

When all the cars had lined up on the startgrid there was a heavy shower making the track very slippery. Kenneth Hansen had pole position after being the clearly fastest during qualifying. Already in the start of the A-final Kenneth lost out to Per Eklund, who took the lead into the first corner. But there Eklund suffered from engine problems and almost stopped. Kenneth, who was just behind him, saw in the corner of his eye that the rest of the field overtook them on the outside. Per retired shortly after.

Now it was instead Michael Jernberg that took off in the lead with a convincing speed. He was unthreatened until the finish line.

After a fight with Lars Larsson Kenneth was second as they went out on the second lap. Kenneth could not hold his position and dropped to fourth when both Morgan Antonsson and Larsson made room for themselves on the inside. Hansen struggled and had a hard time to find some grip and Per Johansson also found a way past Kenneth. But in the very last corner Kenneth managed to take back his fourth place. Larsson was second and Antonsson took the last podium place.

- It did not work at all for me in the A-final, Kenneth says. I did the best I could and was even close to go off at one point. It was impossible for me to find any grip on the slippery track. The only joy today was that I gained one place in the overall standings.

Lars Larsson pulled away in the championship and leads with 54 points. Kenneth Hansen is one points ahead of Per Eklund with 45 and 44 respectively.

Next round of the SRC is the final event on Kinnekullle Ring in Götene on September 13. Before that the European Championship will take place in Olso in Norway next weekend.

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

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Michael Jernberg	S	Ford Focus	20
2	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	17
3	Morgan Antonsson	S	Saab 93	15
4	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	13
5	Per Johansson	S	Hyundai	12
6	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	11

Overall standings after 3 of 4 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Lars Larsson	S	Audi	54
2	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	45
3	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	44
4	Stig-Olov "Stekka" Walfridsson	S	Ford Focus	37
5	Morgan Antonsson	S	Saab 93	36

Photo: Fabbe
Kenneth leads the first heat in front of Stekka Walfridsson


Photo: Fabbe
Kenneth was fastest in the first and second qualification round in Strangnas.


Photo: Fabbe

TOP

---

August 17

ERC Round 7
Holland, Valkenswaard. August 16-17 2003

New victory for Hansen in Holland

The Swede Kenneth Hansen took a new victory again in the seventh round of the European Rallycross Championship on Eurocircuit in Holland. It was the third in a row in the ERC for Kenneth, who also moved closer to the championship title.
The A-final was going to be a real challenge for the six drivers who lined up on the start grid. Just as everyone was ready to go it began to rain heavily. No one of the drivers had rain tyres on and on the slippery circuit the conditions was difficult.
Kenneth, on pole position, managed despite a lot of wheel spin to take the lead into the first bend. Luckily, Kenneth also had a few meters lead because behind him it was a hard fight. The Dutch Jos Kuypers was the one to find a good way through and came out second after Kenneth. The Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler followed on third place.
– It was really difficult conditions which even makes nicer to win, Kenneth says with relief after the finish. With 500 bhp it is tricky to control the wheel spin and to get traction and I almost spun on the first lap.
The Norwegians Ludvig Hunsbedt and Morten Bermingrud had a hard moment into the first corner and they finished fourth and fifth. The Czech Pavel Koutny had problems and came on sixth place.
When the drivers had done some laps they knew which parts that was most dangerous and the last laps it was more an act of balance not to risk going off the track. Kuypers managed to keep the eager Pailler behind. Hunsbedt also had to give up several overtaking attempts on Pailler. Bermingrud gained, after his visit to the sand trap, on the drivers in front
Per Eklund ended the day only on second place in the B-final. Kenneth increased his overall lead of the ERC to 117 with Eklund still second on 96.
Next race is on the Lyngås-circuit just outside of Oslo in Norway on September 6-7.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 7. Holland, Valkenswaard.

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	20
2	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	17
3	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	15
4	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	13
5	Morten Bermingrud	N	Citroen Xsara	12
6	Pavel Koutny	CZ	Ford Focus	11

Overall standings after 7 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	117
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	96
3	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	87
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	81
5	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	75

Photo: Loix
Ron Snoeck (NL) won the Division 1A, Kenneth Hansen (S) won Division 1 and Marc-Jan Vlassak (NL) won the division 2.

Photo: Loix
It is difficult getting any closer to the wall with hitting it. Kenneth closes the door in the start of the A-final in Holland.

Photo: Loix
Kenneth leads the first heat a head of Morten Bermingrud and Jean-Luc Pailler.


Photo: S.Hansen

TOP

---

August 10

ERC Round 6
Belgium, Maasmechelen. August 9-10 2003

Victory for Kenneth Hansen in Belgium

Maasmechelen,
In extremely hot weather conditions Kenneth Hansen won the 6:th round of the European Rallycross Championship in Belgium. After a fighting side by side with the Norwegian Ludvig Hunsbedt in the start of the A-final Kenneth managed to pull away some meters and take the lead. A lead he then controlled all the way to the finish line. Without any difficulties it looked like from the outside, but in the car Kenneth was hold his breath the last part of the final. The high temperature had been hard on the car and during the A-final the gearbox began to be a trouble for Kenneth. Hansen kept a close eye behind him where Per Eklund was chasing. Kenneth reduced the speed slightly not to risk getting more problems. Eklund came slowly closer the last laps but was unable to catch the leading Hansen.

– It was good to reach the finish, Kenneth said happily after a warm day. It has been terribly hard with the heat, difficult to maintain top concentration when it is over 70 degrees in the car and the sweat is getting in the eyes.
Ludvig Hunsbedt dropped all the way down to sixth place when he got stuck on the outside in the A-final start, but worked his way up again to third and final podium place. Mikael Jernberg did a good drive and took fourth place. The Dutch Jos Kuypers was fifth and the Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler lost from third to sixth after a mistake when trying to overtake.

Kenneth Hansen had found the right feeling on the Belgian circuit and after two qualification wins he secured pole position in the A-final. Because of that it felt extra good to complete such a day with a victory.

Hansen hopes his top form with stay on until next weekend when the next round of the ERC takes place in Valkenswaard in Holland.


Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 6. Belgium, Maasmechelen.

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	20
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	17
3	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	15
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	13
5	Mikael Jernberg	S	Ford Focus	12
6	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	11

Overall standings after 6 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	96
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	86
3	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	72
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	64
5	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	62

Photo: Loix

Photo: Loix


Photo: Loix


Photo: Loix


Winner of division 2 Guttorm Lindefjell (N), Winner of division 1 Kenneth Hansen (S). Winner of division 1A ron Snoeck (NL).
Photo: Loix

TOP

---

July 6

ERC Round 5
Höljes, Sweden. July 5-6 2003

Hansen won in Holjes!

Kenneth Hansen lived up to the high expectations and won the Swedish round of the European Rallycross Championship in front of 20.000 spectators in Höljes.
– Wonderful, Kenneth smiles happily. I was really eager to win and knew that if I could get through the first corner without problems I had a good chance to make it. And I did!

In the A-final Kenneth, on pole position, had the perfect start he had hoped for and could take the lead immediately. But behind Kenneth it was a hard fight between Lars Larsson and Per Eklund. Larsson had an advantage starting from the first row, but it was Eklund who managed to be the one who could take second place. Despite several brave overtaking manoeuvres Larsson was not able to find a whole on Eklund big enough to pass him. Per finished second and Larsson had to settle for third.

Kenneth was in brilliant form and could after half the final afford to go on safety through the difficult sections and take it to the finish line.

- Even if it looks easy from the outside, Kenneth says, one can absolutely relax in those cars. 520 horsepower demands all your attention even if you lead comfortably. One missed gear or puncture and it is finished. That’s why it is so lovely to finally see the checked flag.

The Dutch Jos Kuypers was fourth but gained on Larsson the last laps. The Norwegian Morten Bermingrud and Ludvig Hunsbedt had also a close fight at the back of the field. Morten managed to keep Ludvig behind and was fifth overall.

With the victory today Hansen increased his ERC lead to 77 points against 69 for Eklund. The Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler, who had a poor weekend and had to retire in the B-final, is despite that still on third place with 61 points.
Now there are some weeks free before the next race in Belgium on August 8-9.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 5. Sweden, Höljes.

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	20
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	17
3	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	15
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	13
5	Morten Bermingrud	N	Citroen Xsara	12
6	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	11

Overall standings after 5 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	77
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	69
3	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	61
4	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	52
5	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	52

Photo: Ulf Fabbe Fabiansson


The Hansen-family. Kenneth, Kevin, Susann and Timmy.

Photo: Fabbe



Photo: Fabbe
Kenneth Hansen awarded after his best time in the first heat in Holjes

Photo: Fabbe

Photo: Fabbe
Kenneth Hansen leads heat 1 a head of Ludvig Hunsbedt and Morten Bermingrud



Photo: KHM
Kenneth set the fastest time on the official timed practice in Holjes ahead of Lars Larsson and Morten Bermingrud.



Photo: KHM
The mechanic Joakim Sjoberg.

TOP

---

June 28

SRC Round 2
Kalix. June 27-28 2003

Kenneth Hansen won the Swedish Championship in Kalix

Kenneth Hansen won the second round in the Swedish Rallycross Championship in Kalix. But after an incident in the start the victory could not be taken for granted. Smoke belched out from the right rear wheel, which had been damaged in the crash and Kenneth had problems keeping up the speed. Per Eklund caught up with Kenneth and the final was not settled until the last lap. The spectators hold their breath when Kenneth, with a minor lead, had to take the alternative section, which Eklund already had done. Who would come out first, Hansen or Eklund? With the smallest of margins Kenneth managed to get out on the circuit in the lead again.

- That was good! I’m grateful that the tyre was not worn out causing a puncture, but that I could take it to the finish line, Kenneth says happily. I needed this victory after my less impressive fourth place in the opening round in Tomelilla, to be able to defend my SRC-title.

Kenneth had pole position in the A-final after two victories in the qualification. In the final Kenneth did a good start and looked like entering the first corner leading. But Michael Jernberg had an even better start from the second row and could go up and challenge Kenneth on the inside towards the first bend. They touched hard side by side. While the rear wing of Kenneth was bent into the tyre Jernberg got problems with the steering and was forced to retire. Lars Larsson was second to begin with but had to give up for Per Eklund, who had advanced through the field after a failure in the start. Larsson was third, Per Johansson fourth and Stig-Olov Walfridsson fifth.

The overall standings in the SRC is close. Lars Larsson leads with 35 points, Per Eklund is second with 34 and Kenneth climbed one place to third with 33.
Next round in the SRC is in Strängnäs last weekend of August (29-30).
Already next weekend it is time for the fifth round of the Swedish round of the European Championship
in Höljes, July 5-6.

Results from the Swedish Rallycross Championship, Round 2. Kalix

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	20
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	17
3	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	15
3	Stig-Olov "Stekka" Walfridsson	S	Ford Focus	13
5	Per Johansson	S	Hyundai	12
6	Michael Jernberg	S	Ford Focus	11

Overall standings after 2 of 4 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Lars Larsson	S	Audi	35
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	34
3	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	33
4	Stig-Olov "Stekka" Walfridsson	S	Ford Focus	27
5	Michael Jernberg	S	Ford Focus	19

Photo: Backman



Photo: Backman


Photo: Backman





Kenneth won the A-final in Kalix after a thrilling race!
Photo: Per Backman


Photo: S.Hansen

TOP

---

June 15

ERC Round 4
The Czech Republic, Sedlcany. June 14-15 2003.

When Kenneth Hansen retired Per Eklund won.

Sedlcany,
It was not the right day for Kenneth Hansen as the fourth round of the European Rallycross Championship took place in the Czech Republic.
In stead it was his fellow countryman Per Eklund who won the race as the other two Swedes on the front row, Mikael Jernberg on pole position and Kenneth Hansen on second position, had to retire with technical problems.
– There hasn’t been many things that has gone my way today, Kenneth sighs disappointed. It has been problems in two of three qualification rounds, so the failure in the A-final was just the final confirmation that this race was not mine. It was the gearbox in the Hansen-Citroen that gave up due to the demanding grip on the start grid. Hansen was classified on the sixth and last place in the final.
But the most disappointed was for sure Mikael Jernberg, who with tears in his eyes left his broken car on the grid. A fifth place was not even close to his hopes and expectations.

Happiest was Per Eklund, who from second start row, could take his first victory of the year. Per and Lars Larsson had a close fight in the A-final, where Per managed stay in the lead despite many overtaking attempts from Lars. The Norwegian Sverre Isachsen was third and was for the first time on the podium in the European Championship. A good result considering he managed to hold the Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler behind him the whole final.

Per Eklund advanced with his victory today to second place overall, only four points behind Kenneth Hansen, who still leads the Championship with 68 points.

Next round of the ERC, the last in the first half, is in Sweden in Holjes on July 5-6. Before that Hansen and the other Swedes will do the second round of the SRC in the very north of Sweden, in Kalix, on June 28.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 4. The Czech Republic, Sedlcany. June 14-15 2003

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	20
2	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	17
3	Sverre Isachsen	N	Ford Focus	15
4	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	13
5	Mikael Jernberg	S	Ford Focus	12
6	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	11

Overall standings after 4 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	68
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	64
3	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	61
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	49
5	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	43

Photo: Johnny Loix
Kenneth retired in the A-final in the Czech Republic and was sixth overall. Mikael Jernberg who had pole position was the most unlucky of the day as his car broke on the start line. Per Eklund was the most lucky instead has he managed to the A-final ahead of Lars Larsson, Sverre Isachsen and Jean-Luc Pailler.



Photo: Loix
Lasse Larsson seems to have lost his orientation in the dust behind Kenneth Hansen.


Photo: Loix

TOP

---

June 8

ERC Round 3
Austria, Greinbach. June 7-8 2003

Kenneth Hansen took an outstanding victory in Austria

Greinbach,
Kenneth Hansen won the third round if the European Rallycross Championship ahead of fellow countryman Per Eklund. Hansen was, like last year, fastest on the characteristic Greinbach-circuit in Austria. From a perfect start in pole position of the A-final, and taking the lead immediately, Kenneth showed that he had found the winning rhythm as he kept on extending the lead during the whole race. With around 75 meters lead Hansen took his longed for victory. A revenge from last year when he also was fastest but lost it in the end to Eklund.
– I wanted so much to succeed here, Kenneth says happily, as I truly enjoy driving here. Now I had the victory and we are for sure going to celebrate this evening.
Behind the comfortably leading Hansen, Per Eklund had also a safe second place in front of the Dutch Jos Kuypers on third place. Jos, who won the B-final, had a hard fight with Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler. Jean-Luc spun and crashed into the barriers. With a damaged car Pailler slowly made it to the finish on the sixth and final position. On fourth place came the Norwegian Sverre Isachsen just ahead of the other Norwegian Morten Bermingrud. The rookie Bermingrud had actually the second start position along side Kenneth in the A-final, but his engine failed slightly in the start and he went off the start line as the last one.

– The only threat to my victory today was myself, Kenneth admits. I enjoyed every meter of the race as the driving felt so good. For the pure love to drive I just could not make myself slow down only for tactics.

Now Kenneth has taken a small lead in the overall standings and leads with 57 points in front of Pailler on 48 and Eklund on 44.

Next round of the Championship takes place in the Czech Republic next weekend, June 14-15.


Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 3. Austria, Greinbach.

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	20
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	17
3	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	15
4	Sverre Isachsen	N	Ford Focus	13
5	Morten Bermingrud	N	Citroen Xsara	12
6	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	11

Overall standings after 3 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	57
1	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	48
3	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	44
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	39
5	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	35

Photo: Johnny Loix


The Citroen Xsara of Kenneth Hansen in the ERC in Austria 2003
Photo: Johnny Loix


Per Eklund, Kenneth Hansen and Jos Kuypers celebrates in Austria 2003
Photo: Johnny Loix



Photo: Johnny Loix
Kenneth won the A-final in Austria.
-I wanted so much to win this as I simply loves driving here, Kenneth says happily.

TOP

---

May 31

SRC Round 1
Tomelilla, May 30-31 2003

Kenneth Hansen only fourth in the opening round of the Swedish Championship

Tomelilla
Kenneth Hansen and Per Eklund was the two favourites as the first round of the Swedish Championship took place in Tomelilla. But it was Lars Larson who finally would take the victory. The two rivals, Kenneth and Per, was outstanding in the qualifications and both were in the front row of the A-final with Kenneth on pole position.
– I was rather late in the start and Per was able to take the lead immediately on the start straight, Kenneth sighs disappointed after the fourth place he got in the end.

Kenneth tried to hang on to Per into the first corner but the rest of the field pushed from behind and in the fighting Kenneth got a punch in the rear and the car spun. Half a lap after the rest Kenneth started to try to catch up with them. After the retirement of Morgan Antonsson, Kenneth had caught the Danish Kennet Olsen. Only two corners from the finish Kenneth gives it all and overtakes Olsen in the last jump and takes fourth place.

Lars Larsson came out second behind Per. Larsson used the alternative track brilliantly by taking in it early in the final to be able to concentrate to catch the leader afterwards. And it was a success. Entering the final lap Larsson was only 15 meters behind so when Per was forced to take the longer alternative part Larsson overtook the lead and won.
Larsson was very happy as it was his first victory for a long time. Per was second and Stig-Olov Walfridsson third.

Next round of the Swedish Championship in the other end of Sweden, in Kalix.
But already on Wednesday the drivers in the European Championship will go south again to do the third round of the ERC in Austria on June 7-8.

Results from the Swedish Rallycross Championship, Round 1. Tomelilla

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Lars Larsson	S	Audi	20
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	17
3	Stig-Olov "Stekka" Walfridsson	S	Ford Focus	15
4	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	13
5	Kennet Olsen	DK	Ford Focus	12
6	Morgan Antonsson	S	Saab 93	11

Overall standings after 1 of 4 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Lars Larsson	S	Audi	20
2	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	17
3	Stig-Olov "Stekka" Walfridsson	S	Ford Focus	15
4	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	13
5	Kennet Olsen	DK	Ford Focus	12

Photo: Ulf Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf Fabiansson


TOP

---

May 25

ERC Round 2
France, Essay-Alencon. May 24-25 2003

Kenneth on second place after a fantastic final.
Essay
Kenneth Hansen thought of his second place as a victory in the second round of the European Rallycross Championship in France, as he made a remarkable come back from the last row on the grid in the A-final to challenging the leading Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler.
– I have won many times, but this was just like a victory for me, Kenneth says with a big smile.

Kenneth was considered more or less out of the picture after bad results in qualification and hardly making it to the A-final. The dramatic final begins when Kenneth makes a super start and flies with his red Citroen through the field towards the first corner and coming out second. But Kenneth gets a couple of punches from the Norwegian Ludvig Hunsbedt and the Dutch Jos Kuypers and is close to go off the circuit. With full throttle and heavily sideways Kenneth manages to hold on to third place at least. He catches Hunsbedt and overtakes him.
In this moment Kenneth discover flames coming from under the bonnet and shortly after getting into the cockpit just by the gear lever. Hansen is now just in the tail of the leading Pailler, who understands that Kenneth has found the speed he was missing earlier today. The 20 000 spectators was cheering and thrilled about the dramatic final given to them. The happiness for Jean-Luc was the burning car of Kenneth’s. The fire was caused by the broken power steering with oil leaking from it. That made the car more and more hard to steer.
– The last lap I could hardly control the car, Kenneth says. To be able to take the corners I was forced to use only the hand brake to throw it around.

Pailler succeeded in keeping away of Kenneth and won the A-final. Hunsbedt, who caught Kenneth on the final lap, was third. On fourth place came the Frenchman Christian Menier and on fifth place the other Swede Per Eklund. Per, who just had won the B-final after a hard fight with the Czech Pavel Koutny. On the sixth and final place was Jos Kuypers.

Hansen now chairs the overall lead with Pailler on 37 points each.

The next European Championship is in Austria in 14 days. Before that the Hansen-team will do the first round of the Swedish Championship in Tomelilla next Saturday May 31.

Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 2. France, Essay-Alencon.

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	20
2	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	17
3	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	15
4	Christian Menier	F	Ford Focus	13
5	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	12
6	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	11

Overall standings after 2 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	37
1	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	37
3	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	27
4	Ludvig Hunsbedt	N	Ford Focus	25
5	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	24

Photo: Ulf Fabbe Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf Fabbe Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf Fabbe Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf Fabiansson

TOP

---

May 18

ERC Round 1
Portugal, Lousada. May 17-18 2003

Kenneth Hansen won in Portugal

Kenneth Hansen won the first round of the FIA European Championship on the Lousada-circuit in Portugal. The reigning champion proved the he is still as motivated as ever when chasing his 11:th ERC-title.
Kenneth, who started from pole position, was in the hot seat immediately when he and the Frenchman Jean-Luc Pailler had a fight.

- I’m really so happy for this victory, Kenneth smiles. But the first corner was a nightmare. Pailler pushed me into the rail and I had to stand up to brake. Side by side we fought up the hill and I just managed to get that meter needed to grab the lead.

Kenneth was on his maximum the opening laps, trying to get a comfortable lead not to allow Jean-Luc to get into striking distance again. With a big gap down to Pailler, Hansen stormed over the finish line and won. The final podium place went to another Swede, Per Eklund, who first managed to overtake the Dutch driver Jos Kuypers. Jos finished fourth. Lars Larsson, also from Sweden, came in on fifth place and the sixth and final place went to Pavel Koutny from the Czech Republic.

- It feels good now when the opening round is over, Kenneth says. There is always extra tension. Have we worked hard enough? What has the other teams come up with? There was a lot of talk before the race and this victory was a nice confirmation that we are quite right on the technical side. The ERC will be a hard task this year. We will surely need to squeeze every ounce of knowledge and determination out of the team to be able to stay here at the top the whole season.

Next race is already the coming weekend, May 24-25. It takes place in France and as the home country of Citroën it will for sure be many Citroën-fans there cheering for this Swedish guy to give them a victory to celebrate.


Results from the European Rallycross Championship, Round 1. Portugal, Lousada

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	20
2	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	17
3	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	15
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	13
5	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	12
6	Pavel Koutny	CZ	Ford Focus	11

Overall standings after 1 of 10 rounds

	Driver	Nation	Car	Points
1	Kenneth Hansen	S	Citroën Xsara	20
2	Jean-Luc Pailler	F	Peugeot 206	17
3	Per Eklund	S	Saab 93	15
4	Jos Kuypers	NL	Ford Focus	13
5	Lars Larsson	S	Audi A4	12

Photo: Johnny Loix


Photo: Johnny Loix


Photo: Johnny Loix

TOP

---

April 23

Kenneth Hansen is testing in Strangnas

Kenneth and his crew is in Strangnas for tests. He took his Citroen Xsara around the circuit faster than he did at the test last year.
- It is the same car that we won with last year, Kenneth says. The car was so good and reliable that we felt no need to start the season with a new one. During the winter we have made some improvements on chassis and suspension. So far the test has turned out well and we are making faster lap times all the time.

Today they will concentrate on testing tyres. Avon has brought new tyres and now the Avon-engineer and Kenneth will start sorting them out.
- I have big confidence in Avon, says Kenneth. There will be a harder competition from other tyres manufacturers this year, but with the knowledge and commitment Avon has I'm not afraid that we will loose in this area.

Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson
Kenneth and his mechanics Rickard and Kennet is preparing the Citroen Xsara for yet another test run.

Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson
The powerful Citroen Xsara is a dream to drive.

Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson
The Citroen Xsara has a nice balance even in the air.

Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson

Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson

For them who speaks Swedish: Visit http://www.motorsport4sale.com and click on interview with Hansen Motorsport. There is an article from the test in Strangnas.

First photos


Photo: Ulf Fabiansson


Photo: Ulf "Fabbe" Fabiansson

TOP

---

May 16

SVT 24 will show rallycross from both the European Championship and the Swedish Championship on the following times:

TOP

---

Race calendar 2003

TOP

(Link to 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)