Lancia Delta to make World RX debut at Nürburgring finale.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

Just under a year ago, GCK Motorsport announced that they were working on a new electric rallycross car based upon the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale. At the World RX of Germany next weekend, the iconic ‘hot hatch’ will head into battle – as it joins the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the 2022 season finale.

With six consecutive titles from 1987 to 1992, the Lancia Delta remains the most successful car in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and although the car went out of production 30 years ago, Giorgetto Giugiaro’s compact, angular design still commands admiration.

As a child of the eighties, Guerlain Chicherit, was inspired by the exploits of countryman Didier Auriol. It was only natural, therefore, that the French entrepreneur turned to this emblematic model when he launched his car retrofit business in 2020. 

The Lancia Delta Evo-e "road version" is currently in the final homologation phase in France and will soon go into production.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

The four wheel-drive Lancia Delta Evo-e RX – was designed and manufactured from the ground up at GCK Performance’s workshop in Issoire in central France. 

Underneath its true-to-original bodywork, the car houses a tubular structure compliant with the safety standards in the FIA 2022 regulations. The chassis alone took more than 1,200 hours to complete.

With 500 kW (680hp) under the bonnet, the car boasts twice the power of a Formula E car and, even more impressive, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds… that’s seven-tenths faster than an F1 car by the same measure! The secret? Four-wheel drive and the combination of two Kreisel Electric motors delivering 250 kW each (the electric drivetrain kit used by all the cars competing in the championship).

Four-time World Freeriding Champion and racer Chicherit – whose most recent World RX start came at the Nürburgring 12 months ago, yielding a fifth-place finish on the second day – will climb into the cockpit for the car’s first competitive debut, using the event as preparation for the 2023 season.

"I am very happy to be back in World RX, a year after my last participation on this same Nürburgring circuit. One thing is certain, our Lancia Delta Evo-e RX will stand out among the modern cars that make up this oh-so-spectacular championship," Chicherit said.

"I would like to congratulate GCK Performance for the fantastic job they have done over the past nine months. The build quality is incredible, as is the level of finish. I think this will impress more than one observer. It will now take us some time to understand the car and improve it in order to make it competitive. I can't wait to be on the track!"

GCK confirms World RX comeback with iconic Lancia Delta Integrale.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

GCK Motorsport has announced its return to the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the new electric era in 2022 with a iconic model based around the Lancia Delta Integrale.

Whilst the name "GCK" was not formally on the grid in 2021, Kevin Abbring still represented the brand with the Renault Megane R.S. RX under the UNKORRUPTED name. His results have been quite promising in the final internal combustion-engined season thus far, but unfortunately, missed the Portuguese round earlier this month.

A few months ago, GCK unveiled a new range of ‘Exclusiv-e’ electric restomods, based on the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale. 

The iconic Lancia Delta Integrale is steeped in motorsport success having clinched eight World Rally Championship titles between 1988 and 1992. But, after a 29-year absence, the iconic name returns to competitive racing in an electric form. 

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

Like all cars in the 2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship, the GCK Motorsport Delta Evo-e will use the Kreisel electric drivetrain, generating 680bhp and 880Nm of torque, allowing for acceleration faster than that of a Formula 1 car.

Not only will GCK Motorsport be back in the World RX driver’s seat in 2022, but GCK Energy will power the grid following a successful first season delivering green energy to the supporting FIA RX2e Championship.

GCK president and driver Guerlain Chicherit. said: "I’m super excited for us to be returning to the FIA World Rallycross Championship under its new electric banner. The race format suits itself to deliver one of the most exciting racing spectacles in electric cars launched so far." 

"We chose the Lancia Delta Integrale because it is a vehicle that made us all dream. It is the rally car par excellence – without doubt, the most incredible of its era – and one that remains hugely popular to this day.

"It’ll be a busy year for GCK Motorsport, and the whole team is looking forward to taking on this challenge. Motorsport is going through a significant change at the moment, with the impact felt across all industries. Playing our part in developing some of this change is what keeps us all motivated every day."

"I feel faster than I've ever been" warns Kevin Abbring.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

Dutch racer Kevin Abbring returns to contest the full FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2021 behind the wheel of the 'UNKORRUPTED' Renault Mégane R.S. RX, and he has warned his fellow rivals that he feels "faster than ever." 

The 32-year-old began his motorsport career in rallycross - winning the Dutch and Belgian titles three times by the age of 16, before switching to rallying in 2017, achieving success on the international stage in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship and making history becoming the youngest driver ever to win a JWRC round.

In 2019, he returned to rallycross, competing in two rounds of the FIA World Rallycross Championship with ES Motorsport, impressing many after claiming two fourth-place finishes, and even leading the final on his debut in Hell, Norway in tricky weather conditions. 

A year later, the Dutchman joined GCK Motorsport as the development driver for their rallycross and cross-country programmes, and make his World RX return for the Finnish double-header in Kouvola to assist the "UNKORRUPTED" team after a rather challenging season.

Guerlain Chicherit driving the Renault Mégane R.S. RX.
PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

With GCK not returning to the World Championship until its switch electric in 2022, Kevin has chosen to partner with French engineering company FORS Technologies to race for a Championship win in 2021. Having raced under team name UNKORRUPTED last season, he decided to take to the start line under the same team name this year.

While Kevin’s work on green motorsport development programmes will continue throughout 2021, he’s committed to using this season to push for the world title in rallycross as preparations continue for the switch to electric.

"I’ve been working on some incredible projects, and I’m really excited about the future of motorsport. To get the chance to contest an entire championship at world level in parallel this season is something I’ve been working on for such a long time now," Kevin Abbring said.

"Thanks to the latest projects and test activities I have been involved in, I feel faster than I’ve ever been. I’ve worked with every team member closely before and I’m starting to understand the Mégane better and better. I can’t wait to push for victories together!"