Simon Olofsson has vowed to push all-out for title glory in the RX2 International Series presented by Cooper Tires this year, following a standout 2016 campaign that saw him firmly establish himself as a budding young rallycross talent.

A former footballer and alpine skier, Olofsson ran as a private entry in RX Lites last year and turned heads with four consecutive podium finishes – including victory on home turf at Höljes – to secure third spot in the final standings. He added to that with the Swedish crown and the runner-up laurels in the Nordic Championship.

With the FIA World Rallycross Championship feeder series having been rebranded over the winter as RX2, the 22-year-old Swede will be the second-highest returning driver after defending champion Cyril Raymond – and he is eager indeed to knock the Frenchman off his perch.

“After what we achieved last year, there can be just one goal for 2017 – to win the title,” stressed Olofsson, who is the half-brother of fellow RX2 competitor Sandra Hultgren. “There is no doubt that the standard has stepped up a level this year, but that only gives me extra motivation to try to beat everybody else!

“With so many quick drivers already confirmed, I think consistency will be key – and that was one of my strong suits last year. I can’t wait for the season to start!”

Olofsson joins half-sister Sandra Hultgren, 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), Norwegian trio Thomas Holmen, Glenn Haug and Sondre Evjen and Swedish Crosskart exponent Anders Michalak in having signed up to the inaugural campaign of RX2. Further driver announcements and a full entry list will be revealed over the coming days.

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.