The FIA World RX Championship: World RX Championship

Motorsport fans enjoy a thrilling weekend of racing at the World RX Championship in Cape Town

Weekend of 9 - 10 November, motorsports fans enjoyed a thrilling two days of racing at the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile’s (FIA’s) World Rallycross (RX) Championship, which saw Sweden’s Timmy Hansen crowned the 2019 world champion.

A hybrid form of motorsport, rallycross blends rally and circuit racing. It features mostly traditional rally cars racing around a shortened track, just over a kilometre, and navigating both tar and gravel as well as jumps and tight corners.The World RX Championship is recognised by the FIA as the highest class of international rallycross. The FIA’s newest world championship only launched in 2014 but has in the time since then has amassed a substantial following.

This year’s iteration saw drivers from 11 different countries battle it out over 10 rounds, which took place across four continents. It culminated in a nail-biting finale at the Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town, during which all eyes were on Hansen of Team Hansen MJP and Monster Energy RX Cartel's Andreas Bakkerud, who entered the finale with just one point separating them. In the end, the dramatic winner-takes-all battle saw Hansen emerge victorious.

TotalEnergies is one of the world's leading suppliers of oil and gas and as such, the brand’s relationship with and involvement in motorsport spans decades.“What a thrilling experience to have been part of the season finale World Rallycross of South Africa! Topping it off with sponsoring racing Team HANSEN MJP, including the winner of the 2019 Championships – Timmy Hansen. We’re proud to be part of such a celebration and highlight of the South African sporting calendar. Total has a long heritage in motorsports with legendary drivers who have sported the brand’s iconic red-and-white colours to countless race wins and world championships,” said Baxolile Msomi, Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager of Total South Africa.

The African continent has played host to some of the world's most prestigious motor sporting events. These include the Formula 1, the Dakar Rally, the World Rally Championship and Formula E. The FIA World RX Championship, though, is the first FIA-sanctioned world championship to be hosted here since the South African Grand Prix, which took place in 1993. IMG Motorsports, the promoter of the FIA World RX Championship, has entered into an agreement with the City of Cape Town, whereby the World RX Championship will return to Cape Town in 2020 and 2021.