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Australia

Kristoffersson & Woodham win Gymkhana GRiD in South Africa

The 2017 FIA WRX champion, Johan Kristofferson won the all-wheel drive category and Luke Woodham won fourth consecutive Gymkhana GRiD rear-wheel drive title in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Johan Kristoffersson, Volkswagen Team Sweden

Johan Kristoffersson, Volkswagen Team Sweden

Monster Energy

Johan Kristoffersson, Volkswagen Team Sweden
Ken Block, Hoonigan Racing Division
Johan Kristoffersson, Volkswagen Team Sweden
Petter Solberg, PSRX Volkswagen Sweden
Luke Woodham
Luke Woodham
Ken Block, Hoonigan Racing Division
Luke Woodham
Johan Kristoffersson

Gymkhana GRiD is a series where supercars, drift cars, factory-prepared World Rallycross machinery and enthusiast tuned street beasts share the paddock and a track in anger, with a line-up of multiple FIA world champions from all over the world.

We had to wait 12 month since Gymkhana GRiD last went live in Athens, Greece. In all, close to 50 drivers rolled into Carnival City, Johannesburg eager to prove their worth in one of motorsport’s most unique events.

The all-wheel drive podium featured 2017 FIA World Rallycross Champion Kristoffersson, multiple FIA World Champion Petter Solberg and World RX star Andreas Bakkerud. In the rear-wheel drive class, Luke Woodham shrugged off technical problems to score four consecutive wins to his name. Woodham was pushed all the way to the line by fellow racers travelling from the UK, Adam Elder and Danny Cross.

“This weekend has been the toughest Gymkhana GRiD to date,” said Woodham. “It’s been a real team effort to get this one – everyone has worked so hard and I’m really grateful. If you had said to me yesterday that I was going to be on the podium, then I wouldn’t have believed you.

“I had nothing left after a long day of qualifying. I’ve always been one to quite enjoy mind games with the other drivers, but this time I was just pushing and going absolutely flat out. I don’t know where the speed came from to be honest – I just dug deep.

“We had car trouble before the final, where the alternator packed up. The car was misfiring. After the earlier runs we had to switch out batteries and charge them between runs.”

Kristoffersson added: “I really don’t know what to say, I’m a little bit surprised that I was able to win to be honest! I knew our car was quick obviously, but Petter, Andreas and Ken [Block] are all fantastic drivers – and I honestly didn’t believe I would be able to beat them.

“There is just something inside my mind when I get into the finals of a race. I just really love it when the pressure is on and it’s all or nothing! I think Petter made a little bit of a different tyre choice at the end of the weekend, so maybe I just edged ahead there too. Overall I’m just so happy.”

Watch all the action on the exclusive replay of the livestream.

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Edition

Australia