Mattias Ekstrom to make World RX comeback for 2020 opener at Holjes
One-time World Rallycross Champion and double DTM title-winner Mattias Ekstrom will make a shock return to World RX for the 2020 season-opener in Sweden this weekend


The Swede will race as one of two Teams' points scoring entries for the KYB Team JC squad, which runs Audi S1s built and developed by Ekstrom's EKS team, replacing Latvian driver Janis Baumanis, who has run into budget problems.
Having announced his retirement from World RX minutes after the 2018 season-finale in South Africa, 2016 champion Ekstrom made a one-off series return at Spa last year with the JC Raceteknik team's older-specification S1.
He also raced in the final round of the RallyX Nordic series at Tierp, alongside Robin Larsson.
This weekend Ekstrom will drive a latest-specification Audi, joining reigning European Champion Larsson in the team for the Holjes double-header.
"It's always fun to compete," said Ekstrom, twice a winner at the Holjes circuit in 2014 and 2015.
"Rallycross has, and has always had, fast and fun cars that I enjoy driving.
"Competing with Joel [Christoffersson, KYB Team JC team principal] and JC again feels good, especially after the final round of RallyX Nordic at Tierp last season where I had the opportunity to give Robin some support.
"Robin has already won an event at Holjes this year, so is already in the groove."
A long-time advocate of using electric technology in rallycross, Ekstrom has been working most recently as ambassador and official driver for CUPRA and its Pure ETCR electric touring car.

He will test the rallycross Audi S1 at Dalarna in Sweden on Tuesday.
"My biggest priority this weekend is to have as much fun as possible," said the 42-year old.
"But of course, the day I do not dream of winning is the day I stop competing.
"The goal is always a trophy, but then we will see what is realistic according to the conditions.
"Holjes is always special, but this year it will be something completely unique without the fans. It's a strange feeling, but still exciting."
JC Raceteknik boss Christoffersson says a budget shortfall related to COVID-19 has meant Baumanis, who was announced late as a permanent entry to World RX, will be unable to contest the full season.
"It's sad that Janis won't race in the full World Championship with KYB Team JC this year, I and the whole team had really looked forward to this collaboration," said Christoffersson.
"But given the situation around Covid-19, I think everyone understands that something like this could happen and I hope we can take up the collaboration with him again.
"Since we have a vacant Audi S1 EKS Supercar for Holjes, I contacted Mattias.
"Mattias will be a strong addition to KYB Team JC. He is a driver with many tips and tricks and if there is anyone who knows these cars, it's him.
"It will definitely be an advantage for both Robin and us as a team to have him with us."
Christoffersson's JC Raceteknik concern will also run a pair of S1s for Mats Ohman and Ben-Philip Gundersen in the European Rallycross Championship category this weekend at Holjes

WRC winner Ostberg to make RX debut in electric Citroen
WRX Sweden: Kristoffersson makes winning return in World Rallycross opener

Latest news
From Lebanon to cross-category world titles - a rally legend's top 10
Petter Solberg has called time on his top-flight career after winning titles in two FIA world championships. Here, the 2003 rally and '14/15 rallycross king recalls his 10 best events - including the moment where all his success began
How to make an F1 venue fit for World RX
World Rallycross makes its first appearance at Silverstone this year as part of the 'Speedmachine' festival in May. We take a look at how the new rallycross track fared in its debut event
Volkswagen hasn't disappeared completely
Volkswagen's abrupt departure from the World Rally Championship it was dominating was one of the winter's biggest shocks. Now 2003 WRC champion Petter Solberg's World Rallycross team has VW support. What does that mean for World RX and what remains of Volkswagen Motorsport?
Why rallycross is becoming irresistible
Sebastien Loeb started a new journey in his motorsport career last weekend, but he wasn't the only attraction in Portugal. DAVID EVANS examines why the World Rallycross product works so well
The entries are strong, the cars are powerful and it can teach the WRC a thing or two about promotion. But after visiting the Lydden Hill round, DAVID EVANS still has his doubts
New rallycross golden age comes to Britain
The sport began at Lydden in the late 1960s and this weekend the new-look World Rallycross Championship will strut its stuff at the Kent venue. HAL RIDGE explains why it will be unmissable
Solberg: why rallycross is my future
PETTER SOLBERG had a rough first season back in rallycross, but that hasn't deterred him from signing up for the first year of its new era in 2014, as he explains in his AUTOSPORT column
Petter Solberg says that there's still lots to learn about running a successful rallycross campaign, but he's really enjoying getting back to his roots