Jamaican motorsport racer Frazer McConnell could not contain his excitement on Saturday (May 1) after defeating three-time FIA world champion Johan Kristoffersson at the RallyX Nordic in Nysum, Denmark.

McConnell, 22, competing in his first Supercar event at RallyX Nordic, called the win a perfect start to his 2021 season and delivered on his promise last summer to defeat Kristoffersson in Arvika.

“Big up – this is unreal!” he began.

“The quality of these drivers is incredible, but the level of Olsbergs MSE is unbelievable. We never give up, and whilst our pace was up-and-down all day, I gave it everything I had. I’m with the best team in the world, and I’m racing for the best country in the world. Big up everybody!” McConnell beamed.

“The support that I get… I can’t tell you how much it means to me, and how far it can take you in the sport. Every sponsor, no matter how small, is worth every penny. I’m trying to make them proud and I hope they will be happy with this result. This is the perfect start to the season!” he exclaimed.

The international rallycross campaign served a feast of high-octane action in Denmark, with McConnell’s breakthrough triumph achieved from the back row of the grid.

As he admitted at the podium, McConnell’s bid did not get off to the best of starts. The Olsbergs MSE ace was forced wide at the beginning of Q1, but responded well in Q2 to run Sweden’s Kristoffersson to within just seven tenths-of-a-second of the top spot.

The Kingston native progressed comfortably through to the final once again, and a lightning launch – allied to no shortage of bravery through the opening corners – saw him emerge from a chaotic Turn Two in the lead. It was an advantage that he would not relinquish.

“I was telling myself on the start-line for the final, even though you’re only in fifth, you can still do this. It’s rallycross – anything can happen. I kept it neat and knew there would be a little drama at the first corner. Like Andreas [Eriksson – OMSE CEO] told me, I had to take advantage of the other guys’ mistakes and that’s exactly what I did. I’m already looking forward to tomorrow, but right now I’m just so made-up!” McConnell recalled.

“I need to FaceTime everybody at home and see what they’re saying, but I’m sure my mum is crying and my dad is ecstatic. The rest of the people in the country have supported me and I’m so proud to represent them and do what I do,” he beamed.

Supercar standings at Rallyx Nordic

1. Fraser MCCONNELL (JAM) Olsbergs MSE  4 laps
2. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON (SWE) Kristoffersson Motorsport +1.561s
3. Sondre EVJEN (NOR) EKS JC +5.247s
4. Andreas CARLSSON (SWE) ACRX +8.397s
5. Ulrik LINNEMANN (DEN) Linneman Promotion +8.418s
6. Anders MICHALAK (SWE) Hedströms Motorsport +8.931s

For his part, Prime Minister Andrew Holness lauded the historic achievements of McConnell congratulating the Jamaican for representing the country well.

“Huge congratulations to Jamaican Fraser McConnell, who finished at the top of the podium and defeated three-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson. Fraser has made history by claiming his first supercar win in the 2021 season of the Rallyx Nordic in Denmark yesterday,” Holness said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

“We are beyond proud of you, Fraser! Continue to make Jamaica proud on the world stage,” the prime minister added.

It is McConnell’s second major circuit win donning Jamaican colours after creating history to lift season two of the Americas RallyCross (ARX2) Championship in October 2019.