If You Want to Rallycross in Hell, go to Lånkebanen
When we are talking about rallycross in Hell, we are in fact talking about the Lankebanenis, a road racing circuit located near Hell in Lånke, Stjørdal, Norway. Since the inauguration of the World Rallycross Championship in 2014, the best World RX drivers are visiting Hell at least once in a year.
The race track near Hell was opened in 1988
One of the world’s most popular rallycross facilities was opened in 1988 as the first asphalt track in Norway. Since the opening, the track was used mostly for the national rallycross competitions. In 2011, Lankebanen hosted the round of the European Rallycross Championship for the first time. In 2014, it became the venue of the World Rallycross Championship. Besides for rallycross, Lankebanen was hosting another motorsport disciplines, such as hill climb, motocross or go-kart races.
Aerial view of Lankebanen circuit
Lånkebanen is national center for drivers training and testing
The facility, which is owned by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF), was built in 1988 after the Ministry of Transport and Communication chose a location for the national center for motorsports and drivers training. The venue serves as the training track for the National Driving Teacher School. Since 2004, it has been part of Nord-Trøndelag University College. It is also used for trials for Q-Free, a Trondheim-based manufacturer of user road charging systems.
Rallycross track in not an only option
Lankebanen features different options, from the main asphalt course and combined 1100-meters long rallycross circuit (60% asphalt, 40% gravel) to hill climb track and motocross track, located on the hillside below the main circuit. Below the motorsports venue, there is also Lånke Travbane, an oval track for horse racing.
Beautiful landscape around Lankebanen circuit
For more than 20 years Hell hosted only national RX events
In 1989, Lankebanen hosted the round of the Norwegian Rallycross Championship for the first time. Since then, the track was a regular venue for Norwegian rallycross competitions. After more than twenty years of national events, the European Rallycross Championship came to Hell in 2011.
The first winner of the international event in Hell was Norwegian racer Mats Lysen. He won ahead of his compatriot Sverre Isachsen, who eventually became the European champion. In 2012, American Tanner Foust was the winner. In 2013, Liam Doran took the glory at Lankebanen.
2016 World RX event at Hell
World RX came to Hell in 2014
In the 2014 season, Lankebanen hosted parallel rounds of the European Rallycross Championship and newly formed World Rallycross Championship. 2014 ERX winner was Ken Block while WRX winner’s trophy was taken by Reinis Nitiss. In the next two seasons (2015 and 2016) ERX winners were Tommy Rustad and Kevin Hansen. World RX victories in Hell went to Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud. Johan Kristoffersson was the winner two times in 2017 and 2018.
Video : Onboard lap at Hell rallycross track
Address: Lankebanen, Hell, 7517 Stjørdal, Norway
Phone: +47 917 88 066
Official website: www.naf.no/her-finner-du-naf/motorsportbaner/lankebanen/
Photos: fiaworldrallycross.com,
