14-time European Rallycross Champion to appear in a ‘Legend’ event in Lohéac (1-3 September 2023)
Kenneth Hansen, the most successful driver in the history of the European Rallycross Championship, will don his overalls and crash helmet again and return to the wheel of a rallycross car – for the first time since he retired in 2012 – during the weekend of the sixth round of the French Rallycross Championship in Lohéac.
The Swedish former driver and now Team Principal of Hansen World RX Team – which competes in the FIA World Rallycross Championship – was enticed back behind the wheel of a rallycross car after a chance conversation with veteran driver, Steve Hill, at the Autosport Show back in January 2023.
“I went to the Autosport Show with my son Kevin and had a few laps in the RX2e car and really enjoyed it,” said Kenneth. “I was talking to Steve Hill, who is 74 and still loving his racing, and the germ of an idea was put into my head. It won’t be a regular thing, and I will not race in anything around the weekends of the World RX as I am so busy running the Hansen World RX Team cars, but an appearance in Lohéac seems like a great idea.”
“The circuit and the event are very close to my heart,” continued Hansen. “My son Timmy (Hansen) has won three world championship events there and I won once in the European Championship in 2001. The passion around Lohéac is always so incredible and above everything else I love the atmosphere of the event and am looking forward to experiencing that positive energy.”
Kenneth will be taking part in the demonstration event in Lohéac with Jean-Luc Pailler, 11-time French rallycross champion and his arch rival during the period 1993 and 2011 driving Jean-Luc’s Citroen Xantia, as well as having his first opportunity to drive the Group B Peugeot 205.
“I am really looking forward to driving those cars,” continued Hansen. “Of course, I know the track very well. It is difficult to overtake and is very challenging, but the enthusiasm of the crowd can really be felt by the driver and I am so excited for that.”
“It will also be good to be at the same event as Sebastién Loeb, who will be racing there after the fire at Lydden Hill. The whole rallycross world was so sad to see what happened to his team – Special ONE Racing – and we all reunite to welcome him back to the track and hope to see him and the team back in the World RX paddock very soon.”
As for the incredible RX Lohéac event, the organisers are expecting the usual enormous crowds of passionate rallycross fans and the inclusion of some of the legends of this sport will only serve to increase the excitement.
“We are so delighted to see Kenneth return to the rallycross track in Lohéac,” commented Patrick Germain, President Ecurie Bretagne & Association Sportive du Rallycross de Lohéac. “Kenneth and his family have been incredibly successful in Lohéac and it is a real privilege for us to see him in action here again. We are looking forward to a vintage weekend in September.”