Highlights from stage 9 of the World RallyCross Championship in Hong Kong
Kevin Hansen too victory on stage 9 of the World RallyCross Championship in Hong Kong, whilst Johan Kristoffersson could only finish 6th in the first of two stages at the same venue
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SportsTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC]
00:10 There's the green light in what could be one of the biggest semifinals of the season.
00:14 Look at Kevin Hansen here pushing out wide to then cut inside.
00:19 Brother Timmy is behind.
00:21 Johan Christophersen, push wide, very wide.
00:24 Kevin Hansen's tactical play pays dividends, pushing Christophersen back into third position.
00:31 The Hansen team could really do with getting Timmy out of the way here to give O'Donovan the best opportunity.
00:36 Hansen does joker into the extra route.
00:40 Scheider applying the pressure as well to Kevin Hansen up front.
00:43 Now it's three left to joker.
00:45 We're in the fifth and final lap and the trio go into that joker lap.
00:49 Kevin Hansen leads, Scheider's behind him.
00:52 Christophersen must hold third position.
00:56 Kevin Hansen is just about holding off Timo Scheider.
01:01 Kevin Hansen takes the chequered flag.
01:03 Scheider's second and Johan Christophersen with that third position.
01:08 Not only qualifies for the final but the points calculation tells us that he will be the champion for 2023.
01:17 [MUSIC]
01:20 There is the green light for go.
01:23 Gronholm pushing Vaby out wide, now looks to cut in into that lap.
01:28 That's a wonderful launch and tactical play from the Finn to take the early lead.
01:33 Vaby had a good look at Gronholm, didn't he?
01:36 On the inside into the first corner, didn't force the issue though.
01:38 There's the yellow flags for the stricken car of Arlen Kofelinsky.
01:42 That's got front and rear suspension damage, isn't it?
01:44 A lot of work to do on that car overnight.
01:46 Vaby joking from second position.
01:50 Vaby comes out of the Joker lap, covers off Clara Andersen.
01:55 Both of the CE dealer team drivers go for the Joker lap on lap four of five.
02:00 There's that inside line from the Finn.
02:02 Gronholm in the yellow car.
02:04 Vaby comes around the outside, no change in positions.
02:07 The drive from Niklas Gronholm going into the final.
02:11 Vaby takes second position.
02:13 Andersen third.
02:15 There, the lights are green and away we go.
02:17 And it is a superb start from Kevin Hansen, looking to hold position.
02:22 Now cuts in to that left-hand first corner.
02:25 And it's a great start from Hansen, holding top spot.
02:28 Timo Scheider-Jokers this time around.
02:31 I think Gronholm's already done enough to get ahead.
02:33 Hansen continues to lead.
02:35 We need to see the Joker merge here to see whether Gronholm's got ahead.
02:39 He has indeed. Timo didn't do enough.
02:42 Christophsens close right to the rear of Kevin Hansen in the fight for the lead.
02:49 Scheider had a lunge up the inside of Gronholm.
02:51 The pair of them have both caught Osi Vaby as well.
02:53 Vaby hasn't Jokered left. Vaby must have a problem.
02:55 He does. Gronholm goes up the inside of Vaby.
02:58 Oh, and that's Christophsens. Christophsens has stopped on track as well.
03:01 This is going to hand Kevin Hansen the best opportunity.
03:06 He's been handed the rakes on a plate.
03:08 Look at the world champion.
03:10 Looking at the car, has no idea what's gone wrong.
03:13 In the Joker lap is Kevin Hansen here.
03:16 Gronholm coming around the outside.
03:18 And this is looking brilliant.
03:20 Kevin Hansen takes the chequered flag in Hong Kong.
03:24 Gronholm second. Scheider is third.
03:27 Vaby four. Andersen five.
03:31 [Cheering]
03:35 [Music]
03:38 (thunder)
03:40 [BLANK_AUDIO]