Seldom has there been a more level playing field, as the track – a purposed-built twisty 1,225 metre long mixed surface circuit with a jump and dramatic joker merge just before the finish line – has never been raced on before.

And the venue is set against the spectacular backdrop of Hong Kong’s famous skyline, in the Central Harbourfront Event Space next to the iconic Victoria Harbour.

Johan Kristoffersson is favourite to become World RX champion for a sixth time.

The Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS team driver holds a commanding 36-point advantage over his nearest pursuer, with only 46 points remaining in play during the upcoming double header weekend.

The Swede’s four closest rivals – Kevin Hansen, Timo Scheider, Niclas Grönholm and Timmy Hansen – have all previously ascended the top step of the podium in World RX, with ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport ace Scheider bringing the championship leader’s winning run to an end courtesy of a stellar performance in Cape Town last time out.

Timmy Hansen, world champion in 2019, has been a thorn in Kristoffersson’s side for many years, while younger brother Kevin finally halted his countryman’s hitherto unbroken SuperPole run in South Africa. All of them will be keen to complete the campaign with a champagne celebration.

Similarly capable of doing battle for silverware are Klara Andersson and Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky.

The former made history last year as the first woman ever to reach the rostrum in top-flight international rallycross and has continued to progress ever since. Fellow Swede Åhlin-Kottulinsky has been a leading contender in the supporting FIA RX2e Championship this season, finishing third overall and scooping the runner-up spoils behind guest entrant Kristoffersson in Belgium back in the summer.

It will be intriguing to see how Patrick O’Donovan fares on his series debut with Hansen World RX Team. Having just retained his British rallycross title, O’Donovan is an event-winner at RX2e and Euro RX level and like Åhlin-Kottulinsky has plenty of experience in the ZEROID X1 car that all drivers will pilot this weekend.

The competitive action will begin with SuperPole at 10:00 local time (03:00 CET) on Saturday, 11 November, with every session to be broadcast on the Rally.TV platform.