Sir Chris Hoy to compete in World RX

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX media.

Six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy to compete in the 2019 World RX of Catalunya in Spain.

The 43-year-old will get behind the wheel of the Xite Racing-prepared Ford Fiesta Supercar. 

"I am really looking forward to competing in the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Barcelona," said Hoy. "Driving a rallycross car has always been on my bucket list, but to actually race against the world's best will really be something special – and a huge challenge.”

Hoy will be testing the Xite Racing's Ford Fiesta Supercar next week at the Pembrey Circuit ahead of his debut in World RX.

“I will be testing next week with Oliver Bennett and his Xite Racing team, and learning all I can ahead of my World RX debut in Spain.”

The Managing Director of World RX for IMG, Torben Olsen, said: “To have a world class sportsman of the calibre of Sir Chris entering the FIA World Rallycross Championship is quite a coup for the series."

“I have admired his commitment and professionalism as a multiple Olympic champion," he adds. "I am sure we can expect he will bring the same level of dedication and competitive spirit to World RX as he did in becoming one of the greatest cyclists of all time.”

Since Hoy's retirement from competitive cycling, he has taken on a number of motorsport challenges – most notably the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016 in the LMP2 class. 

In addition to Sir Chris Hoy's entry, the 19-supercar grid for Barcelona will also include Finland’s Jani Paasonen in the second Team STARD Ford Fiesta Supercar.

Tamas Karai will also join the field as an independent entry with Karai Motorsport Egyesulet in an Audi A1 Supercar, while Frenchman Herve Knapick wraps up the entry list with his Citroen DS3 Supercar.

ENTRY LIST for World Rallycross Round 2.