For most of the year, the small Swedish village of Holjes is home to about 160 people, nestled in the iconic Varmland forest region near the Norwegian border.

But that all changes during the “Magic Weekend.” 

Beginning Friday, more than 45,000 people will converge on Holjes Motorstadion for three days of rallycross racing, including the sixth round of the FIA World RX Championship on Sunday.

Watch the 2018 World RX of Sweden LIVE on FloRacing

Sunday, July 1 | 7 AM CDT

The Swedish round has produced some of the series’ most memorable moments over the years, thanks in large part to its majestic atmosphere, enthusiastic crowds, and challenging course that features the biggest jump of any track on the schedule.

The annual festivities in Holjes are also a homecoming for the some of World RX’s biggest stars, including six full-time series drivers.

Last year, Swedish superstar Johan Kristoffersson surged to a Round 7 victory at Holjes Motorstadion—the first of his career at his home round—en route to winning the overall 2017 series championship. 

“Winning at home was one of the most special results of my career at Holjes last year, and all I can do is try to repeat that this weekend,” said Kristoffersson, the current 2018 season points leader. “Competing in front of so many thousands of fans is unbelievable—when you see the flags everywhere, the atmosphere is just through the roof. I love it.”

Kristoffersson, who has won four of five rounds this year, is coming off a dominant performance in Hell, Norway, three weeks ago in which he became just the second-ever driver to earn a clean sweep in series history.

The rest of the podium was rounded out with fellow Swede Mattias EKSTRÖM in second place and Kristoffersson’s PSRX Volkswagen Sweden teammate, Petter Solberg, in third.

“Petter and I both think there is a bit more to come from the car still, so this is exciting, and I think we will need it—for sure the competition is getting closer,” Kristoffersson said.

This move from @timmy_hansen at #HoljesRX 2015 wasn't deemed legal, but showed the huge fight of the young Swede! pic.twitter.com/0um8Bg809A

— FIA World Rallycross (@FIAWorldRX) June 27, 2018

The reigning champ currently leads the season standings with 135 points—31 ahead of Team Peugeot Total leader Sebastien Loeb, the Round 3 winner in Belgium back in May. Solberg sits third overall with 102 points, followed by the EKS Audi Sport duo of Andreas Bakkerud (101 points) and Ekstrom (97).

Heading into his home round, Ekstrom is looking to continue his charge up the leaderboard after finishing second at the World RX in Norway three weeks ago. The Sweden native was the 2014 and 2015 winner at Holjes but had to miss last year’s race due to a scheduling conflict. 

“I did not have a chance to go to Holjes last year,” Ekstrom said. “I don’t have the experience of the new tarmac corner, but for me, it’s paradise to go there. It’s the club I race for so it’s like a home event and I’ve always enjoyed going there many times. I’m looking forward to it.”

SUPERCAR ENTRANTS (Full List For Round 6)

1. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON, SWE PSRX Volkswagen Sweden, SWE — Volkswagen Polo R
4. Robin LARSSON, SWE Olsbergs MSE, SWE — Ford Fiesta
5. Mattias EKSTRÖM, SWE EKS Audi Sport, SWE — Audi S1
6. Janis BAUMANIS, LVA Team Stard, AUT — Ford Fiesta
7. Timur TIMERZYANOV, RUS GRX Taneco Team, FIN — Hyundai i20
9. Sébastien LOEB, FRA Team Peugeot Total, FRA — Peugeot 208
11. Petter SOLBERG, NOR PSRX Volkswagen Sweden, NOR — Volkswagen Polo R
13. Andreas BAKKERUD, NOR EKS Audi Sport, SWE — Audi S1
21. Timmy HANSEN, SWE Team Peugeot Total, SWE — Peugeot 208
36. Guerlain CHICHERIT, FRA GC Kompetition, FRA — Renault Mégane RS
42. Oliver BENNETT, GBR Oliver Bennett, GBR — BMW Mini Cooper
44. Timo SCHEIDER, DEU ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport, DEU — Seat Ibiza
66. Grégoire DEMOUSTIER, BEL Sébastien Loeb Racing, FRA — Peugeot 208
68. Niclas GRÖNHOLM, FIN GRX Taneco Team, FIN — Hyundai i20
71. Kevin HANSEN, SWE Team Peugeot Total, FRA — Peugeot 208
74. Jérôme GROSSET-JANIN, FRA GC Kompetition, FRA — Renault Mégane RS
96. Kevin ERIKSSON, SWE Olsbergs MSE, SWE — Ford Fiesta