Thirteen-time European Rallycross Champion, Kenneth Hansen, added yet another trophy to his cabinet at the weekend when he drove his 520bhp Citroën C4 to victory in the Rallycross Superprix at Croft circuit, North Yorkshire.

The UK’s premier rallycross event attracts some of the sport’s top stars and Hansen was looking to defend the title he won in 2006.

Despite a few technical gremlins early on, Hansen’s crew were able to get the Swede onto the grid for the semi-finals, where he stormed to victory and took pole for the all-or-nothing final.

Hansen flew off the line, using his vast experience to keep the challenge of Christopher Evans at arms length throughout. Yet, in a dramatic end to the six-lap encounter, Hansen’s right rear tyre exploded as he took the chequered flag, pitching him into a spectacular spin.

“It’s always nice to do this event, it’s a very fast track and I’m very pleased to have defended the title,” said Hansen after lifting the title.

“It’s hard going to be at the top and we had some bad luck over the weekend, but also some good luck in the final race with the tyre only going when we crossed the line.”

The event went some way to making up for the last round of the European Rallycross Championship, where Hansen narrowly missed out on a 14th European title, despite having led the points standings for much of the season.