Riga to host World RX double-header in September.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media

FIA World Rallycross Championship competitors and fans can look forward to a double dose of action in Riga later this year, with the formal confirmation that the popular Latvian event will become a double-header in 2021, increasing the overall number of rounds to nine. 

The decision to add an extra round to the Riga race weekend was taken in order to protect the calendar should any circumstances change against the backdrop of the ongoing global pandemic.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media

The Biķernieki track has been a fixture on the World RX schedule since 2016, with a long gravel section through the wooded infield and no fewer than three jumps making it an instant favourite amongst both drivers and fans.

In evidence of the circuit’s challenging nature, the six rounds held there to date have all been won by World Rallycross Champions Johan Kristoffersson, Mattias Ekström, and Timmy Hansen, and nine-time FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb.

September’s doubleheader will offer drivers two chances to add their names to that illustrious winner's list.

"The Latvian organisers proved last year that they are more than capable of successfully staging a double-header event, and it means fans can look forward to even more exciting action this season around the Biķernieki circuit, which has invariably generated spectacular racing since joining the World Championship in 2016. We have no doubt that September’s event will deliver more of the same," Arne Dirks, Executive Director, Rallycross Promoter GmbH, said.

Raimonds Strokšs, the Director of the World RX of Riga-Latvia admits that despite the additional work coming with a double-header, he is sure that his team and partners are ready to tackle the challenges that come with hosting a double-header event.

"There is much greater responsibility when organising a double-header event – an increased number of races accordingly increases the amount of work required for everything to run smoothly – but I believe that we, our partners and all our service providers are more than ready to bring their best and maintain the high-quality standard set by the events hosted in Latvia," Strokšs said.