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Day two images from the 2019 World RX of Spain
NEWS

All in on World RX: Andreas Bakkerud

Jun 172019

Flanked by an army of fans at every race he attends, and with his ever present #BakkerudLife camera in hand, there’s no missing Andreas Bakkerud has when he shows up to an event.

And with good reason. Boasting six outright victories and a further 27 podiums to his name in the FIA World Rallycross Championship alone - not to mention double FIA European Championship titles before the age of 22 - Andreas is the closest thing you’ll get to an original and self-made household name in rallycross.

The 27 year old from Bergen, in Norway, also remains one of only two drivers in World RX history to have scored maximum points through each stage of an event weekend - after winning all four qualifying sessions, the semi-final and the final at World RX of Norway in 2016.

However, 2019 is arguably the most crucial season for the Norwegian racer. Having taken on the role of Team Principal in the Monster Energy RX Cartel - as well as partnering Liam Doran to battle it out for the Drivers’ and Teams’ World Championship - Andreas says it’s “Win it or Bin it” this year.

Read on to find out his thoughts on why fans should stick with rallycross; running and racing a team at World Championship level before the age of 30, and why World RX is the MMA of motorsport…

"To become a professional driver in rallycross is a dream come true. "

How did you get started in rallycross and why?

You could say I’ve got rallycross in my blood! My Dad and my uncle raced in rallycross - I followed them in national races at home in Norway when I was younger. For me it was the easy and natural way to go. Living in Bergen (in Norway) there weren’t any racing circuits nearby. There also wasn’t anyone that did rallying. So rallycross was the closest thing to me in a motorsport sense. Of course it was exciting too - I loved the buzz of the competition, so I was hooked from a young age. To become a professional driver in rallycross is a dream come true.

What does Rallycross mean to you?

Well, you know I’ve never done anything else, so for me it’s everything. It’s what I’ve been doing all of my childhood, as well as all of my grown up life so far. I dont know the best way to describe it - but it’s really everything to me.

Why should people pay attention to World RX?

A lot of different championships are piling on the restrictions now - a lot are switching to electric, and more are having smaller engines. Event though it’s a difficult time at the moment - Rallycross has still stayed at full power - like Group-B racing on steroids - like it was originally! Flames, contact, and 600bhp! That’s why people should stick with it. From a spectators point of view, even if a race starts out boring then it can turn into an exciting race in the blink of an eye. There’s never going to be a dull predictable race in rallycross. Look at what Liam [Doran] achieved this weekend in Norway, He came from nearly not qualifying for the finals, to winning the semi, and nearly winning the weekend overall. There aren’t any other series that can offer that kind of excitement and level of action. Rallycross is the MMA of motorsport - it’s got a little bit of everything. There’s a drag race into the first corner, contact, smoking tyres on the tarmac, slides on the gravel. Flames spitting from the cars. Even if you rip off a wheel you still carry on - it’s just badass!

Images from round 5 of the 2019 World RX Championship - 2019 Sunday images from round four of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship - UK Sunday images from round four of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship - UK Images from round four of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship Day two images from the 2019 World RX of Abu Dhabi Day two images from the World RX of Abu Dhabi

"The Monster Energy RX Cartel is a game changer. Its an effort to strike out and do something different..."

Why is 2019 such an important season?

It’s everything - it’s a total crossroads year. Win it or bin it. I’m not joking. It’s hard to say because of where the sport is and how focused I am on making this a total success.

Tell us about the RX Cartel…

The Monster Energy RX Cartel is a game changer. Its an effort to strike out and do something different - which is becoming very rare in motorsport at the moment. When you look at other teams - either factory supported or not they have somehow ended up looking like each other. We are trying to have some fun, but also be vast and competitive. We are trying very hard to bring the fun and entertainment element outside racing, but then also a little bit of that over a weekend while still pushing for the podium. That’s how I see it anyway!

Would you consider a switch to another championship / series?

No way - absolutely not! I’m all in with rallycross!

Sunday images from round four of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship - UK
 

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