Yas Marina Circuit saw Kevin Hansen win the inaugural World Rallycross of Abu Dhabi 2019, wrapping up a spectacular weekend of world-class motorsport and off-track entertainment.
Kevin Hansen recorded a maiden World RX victory in Abu Dhabi - in a dramatic
opening round of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship.
In a weekend largely dominated by the Team Hansen MJP Peugot 208s - for a
variety of reasons - Kevin took the honours after original race victor Niclas
Gronholm was handed a three-second penalty for a coming together with Hansen in
his GRX Taneco Hyundai i20. Liam Doran in the Monster Energy RX Cartel Audi S1
claimed his first podium by taking third.
A resounding success, the first ever World Rallycross event in the Middle East
was a world-class, three-day urban festival of motorsport, A-list musical
artists and fun activations.
The racing schedule included four FIA World Rallycross Qualifying Rounds,
followed by the all-action Semi Finals and Final on Saturday evening.
Also on track, the Emirates Drift Invitational Cup support races wowed crowds
with a knock-out format, tyre-screeching competition across both Friday and
Saturday.
Away from the track, the weekend's entertainment was led by U.S. rap trio Migos
playing the After-Race Concert at du Arena, while the FanZone saw a host of
international and local music artists playing.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: "The Final was a fantastic
way to finish what has been an incredible weekend and we are delighted to have
opened the World Rallycross 2019 season in Abu Dhabi,
"Once again, we have proved that Yas Marina Circuit is a world-class venue
capable of hosting globally resonant events. We would like to offer our
congratulations to all the drivers and teams that participated, as well as our
thanks to our valued partners whose support made this weekend possible."
Torben Olsen, the Managing Director of the FIA World Rallycross Championship for
IMG, the series promoter, added: "Yas Marina Circuit was a spectacular venue to
stage our first-ever World RX round under lights. The on-track action also
illustrated that we can expect extremely close racing for the remainder of the
2019 season."
