While three-time Supercar Lites champion Simon Olofsson was originally set to take on a purely mechanical role with the BAK40 team, the Swede will now be suiting up to compete in the opening round of the 2025 season, stepping in to drive the team’s FC2 entry at the Montalegre circuit.
It’s a surprising twist of fate that gave Olofsson this unexpected chance, following the last-minute withdrawal of Mitchell deJong, who was ultimately unable to travel from the United States.
This weekend, it’s behind the wheel—not behind the scenes—that Simon Olofsson will get the chance to showcase his raw speed.
“We’d talked about the possibility of me racing here, but Mitchell really wanted to do Portugal, so I agreed to step aside,” Simon explains.
“Then something came up last minute and he couldn’t make the trip. And honestly, there was no way I was going to turn down the opportunity… I love the Montalegre circuit. Even though we’re treating this weekend a bit like a learning experience, I know that once the helmet’s on, it’s game on! We’re genuinely excited to be on the grid.”
The challenge, however, is no small one. Olofsson had never driven the FC2 before Friday evening’s free practice session—a factor that’s forcing him to rethink his approach behind the wheel.
“The main challenge is understanding how this car behaves. I spent ten years driving Supercar Lites, so I’m used to lightweight chassis, but the FC2 has more power and demands a more aggressive driving style. I’m still figuring out whether I should treat it like a Lites car or adjust my approach—those are the things I’ll discover over the weekend.”
One thing is certain: Simon Olofsson fully intends to make the most of this unexpected shot at Montalegre.
“Life has a funny way of throwing surprises at you—and this one’s pretty exciting,” he adds with a smile.
With no official race program confirmed for 2025, Olofsson’s participation in the Portuguese round of RallyX could very well mark a turning point in his season.
“This weekend might help us clarify what direction we want to take with our Rallycross efforts. By Sunday evening, we’ll have a better idea of where we stand and what we need to put in place. Right now, I don’t know if we’ll need more track time to be competitive, or if we’re ready to seriously aim for the next race in the Netherlands. Even if results aren’t the top priority this weekend, we still need to capitalize on this chance to gain experience.”
“Even though I wasn’t supposed to be racing and was only meant to support from the background, I’ll admit—it would have been a little frustrating. Even when you’re helping out as a mechanic, the desire to race never really goes away.”
In the meantime, Olofsson plans to lean on the support and experience of the BAK40 squad, with whom he’s been collaborating for several seasons in the U.S.
“Normally, I like to be better prepared than this. This time, I was pulling on my race suit just 30 minutes before the first free practice… But I know I’ve got a great team behind me, with solid setups and top-tier mechanics. I’m not worried. And if something goes wrong, it won’t be the car—it’ll probably be the guy between the seat and the steering wheel, if you know what I mean!”