Ramona Karlsson is set to drive in the 2014 World Rallycross Championship.
With plenty of rallying experience already under her belt, the 33 year-old Swedish driver is now ready to become the first ever woman to compete in the FIA World Rallycross series. She will drive a Saab 93 Supercar prepared by former World Rally Champion Per Eklund.
Karlsson with team boss Eklund Image: Eklund Motorsport |
Until 2012, Karlsson had mostly competed in rallies in Scandinavia, before her World Rally Championship career took off behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X on the stages of the German, New Zealand, Argentinian and Mexican rounds of the series. 2013 was again confined to Swedish events.
The switch to Rallycross brings her back to the marque she first drove at the start of her career in 2004.
The Eklund Motorsport Team will also run a car for Karlsson's team-mate Henning Solberg - brother of former World Rally Champion, Petter.
Eklund is delighted with his new signing, who will debut on the first round of the Rallycross series in Portugal in May: "It's really exciting to have Ramona in our team this year. She's already proved how quick she is in a rally car and now rallycross is her next challenge. We've previously invested in young Finland's Topi Heikkinen when he was new in Rallycross - and now look where he is. Ramona is the first female in World RX and it will be interesting to follow her development this year."
Karlsson added: "It feels great to be working with Per Eklund - one of Sweden's top racing drivers. The team has a lot of experience and the Supercar class is where the most extreme Rallycross cars are so I'm excited to be involved. I'm obviously looking to fight with the top drivers and it's good that I'm able to score both Euro RX and World RX points this year. I can't wait to get the season underway in Portugal."