Swedish Crosskart pro makes the switch to rallycross
39-year-old has experience on two wheels and four
Former hillclimber prepared for learning curve in 2017
Anders Michalak is the latest name to join the grid for the inaugural campaign of the RX2 International Series presented by Cooper Tires this year.
Michalak has had a diverse career to-date, securing Swedish hillclimbing titles on two wheels and finishing as runner-up in both the Swedish and Nordic Supermoto Championships. He has spent the past three seasons contesting the Swedish Crosskart Championship, placing seventh in 2015 before progressing to fifth in 2015 and fourth last year.
The 39-year-old Swede is now bidding to put his wealth of experience to good use as he prepares to learn the rallycross ropes in RX2.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the new RX2 adventure right from the start,” Michalak enthused. “I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough challenge – with no shortage of quick young drivers signed up to compete – but I’m hoping I might be able to teach them a trick or two as well!
“The target is to finish inside the top seven in the standings this year ahead of a full title assault in 2018, and ultimately, of course, I want to reach the pinnacle of the sport – the FIA World Rallycross Championship.”
Michalak joins reigning RX Lites Champion Cyril Raymond, Swedish young gun William Nilsson, American ace Tanner Whitten, brother and sister Andreas and Jessica Bäckman, rally converts Guillaume De Ridder (Belgium) and Vasiliy Gryazin (Russia), Swedish fast female Sandra Hultgren and Norwegian teenager Thomas Holmen in having signed up to the inaugural campaign of RX2. Further driver announcements will be made over the coming days and weeks.
The 2017 RX2 International Series presented by Cooper Tires will take in seven rounds across three continents in support of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, visiting Mettet in Belgium, Lydden Hill in Great Britain, Hell in Norway, Höljes in Sweden, Trois-Rivières in Canada, Lohéac in France and Cape Town in South Africa.
