Mattias Ekström outlines EKS' involvement in 2019 World RX season.

The Monster Energy RX Cartel Audi S1 Quattro's
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media.

Former World Rallycross Champion Mattias Ekström has outlined his team's involvement in the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship. 

Ekström has confirmed that EKS Sport driver Krisztián Szabó, and the Monster Energy RX Cartel drivers Andreas Bakkerud and Liam Doran will compete in the 2019 World RX championship in three Audi S1 EKSRX Quattro Supercars.

The Swede has also revealed that the Audi S1 EKSRX Quattro Supercars have been updated. "These cars have gotten some updates, rebuilt and is ready to race again and hopefully to continue the success story of the Audi S1," said Ekström.

The Former World Champion announced his departure from the World RX championship at the end of the 2018 season. 

"I told you that it was my last race as a full-time driver in WorldRX and later EKS told you that this is was the end of our WorldRX chapter," said Ekström. 

"Our plan was to sell the cars and support the new owners," he adds. "Until today we have not sold any of the three 2018 spec cars and EKS have decided to rent them out."

EKS Sport driver Krisztián Szabó.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media

EKS will provide support to the three drivers in 2019.

"They want the cars to run as fast as possible and for this, we will supply technical support and use the experience that we have collected over the last years," says Ekström.

"The ambition of the drivers is to become World Champion and this makes me and the EKS team members really motivated to support them in the best possible way. We hope that all three drivers are going to challenge for race wins, podiums and hopefully one of them can become world champion," he adds.

The EKS team will act mainly as technical support, logistics and personal support for the drivers and their partners. 

Ekström has made it clear that "when it comes to budgets, partners, partner service, PR, social media and event service, the drivers are responsible for their own part."

The three Audi S1 EKSRX Supercars will use EKS and KYB developed dampers this season.

"The dampers have reached a high-performance level which was confirmed during the last race 2018 as both EKS cars were using the dampers that entire race weekend," said Ekström.

Hansen wins after Gronholm receives penalty.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Text - Junaid Samodien

Niclas Gronholm crossed the line first in the final of the opening round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship but received a three-second time penalty after an incident with Kevin Hansen on the penultimate lap. Hansen claims his maiden World RX win.

The young Swede has dedicated his maiden World Rallycross win to his team, family, and brother following a late team entry to World RX after Peugeot's withdrawal from the sport in 2018: "This win is for the amazing team! This win is for my family! This win is for the Hansen brothers, Timmy and me!" 

“It feels completely crazy,” said Hansen. “I took the start in the final and led about five laps and then after turn 10, Niclas gave me a tap and I nearly spun and lost the lead."


“A win in the stewards’ room is not the perfect way. It has been a great job by all the guys in the team to get the cars here and prepared. But this one is for Timmy as he should have been on the podium.”

Niclas recovered well from a poor start in the semifinals but claimed victory to progress to the finals. The Finn would start on the front row alongside top qualifier Kevin Hansen in the finals.

Gronholm had a slightly stronger start compared to Hansen who held a lead into turn one, and after the first lap, they began to inch away from Scheider, Doran, Szabo, and Baumanis.

The Hyundai driver had very strong pace through the corners. And on the fourth lap, Gronholm tagged the back of Kevin Hansen causing the Swede to run wide, allowing Gronholm through to take the lead of the race.  

“It was not an intentional hit but sometimes the stewards look at things differently to us so I have to accept it, move on and fight back in Barcelona,” said Gronholm.

Monster Energy RX Cartel's Liam Doran claimed third place and secured his first World RX podium finish.

“This result is from pure determination and nothing else," said Doran. "I started off poor to be completely honest, struggling with the setup of the car a bit."


“I just got my head down. I got into the semis by the skin of my teeth but you never give up until you get to the end.”


While Team STARD's Janis Baumanis claimed fourth place, ahead of Krisztian Szabo, and German Timo Scheider finished in sixth place with an issue.

Andreas Bakkerud failed to qualify for the final after causing a collision with Timmy Hansen in Q3, and ultimately being disqualified from the session. While Timmy Hansen, on the other hand, had chassis damage as a result of the heft impact. 

Timmy Hansen takes overnight TQ in Abu Dhabi

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media.

Sweden's Timmy Hansen is the top qualifier on day one at the World RX of Abu Dhabi, after claiming wins in both qualifying heats and setting the quickest time in Q2.

Hansen started on pole position in Q4 race one and remained in lead into Turn 1 ahead of Andreas Bakkerud. Bakkerud using an alternative strategy was able to jump Niclas Gronholm and hammer in some quick lap times to catch the Swede, but with a different joker lap strategy, Hansen remained ahead of Bakkerud in a close first corner move on lap four. 

“I took both my starts and from the lead could control the race, even though Andreas was very close at one point. When I came out of the joker in Q2 we were side-by-side but I could carry a bit more speed because I’d taken the joker so I just squeezed by," said Timmy Hansen.  

Bakkerud was second quickest and Reinis Nitiss (GRX Set) put his puncture of Q1 behind him to win his race and be third in the second qualifier. 

Timmy Hansen claimed the overnight (TQ) top qualifiers spot with Monster Energy RX Cartel's Andreas Bakkerud second and Team Hansen MJP's Kevin Hansen is third on day one.

"Overall it has been a perfect day, I think it’s more than we could have expected after everything that’s happened and how hard we’ve been working to get here. Now we’re finally here everything is running perfectly," said Hansen.

“I must say that Timo Scheider was impressive today and all three of the Hyundai’s were very fast, so they haven’t been on the lazy side this winter!” he concludes.

Anton Marklund won his races in Q1 and Q2 and is fifth quickest overall, behind Niclas Gronholm. Rookie Rokas Baciuska was seventh in only his second ever qualifying race in World RX. While Janis Baumanis recovered from a slow start in Q2 race two to be eighth quickest.

Britian's Oliver Bennett failed to start Q2 due to an electrical servo issue. 

The GCK Academy did not have the easiest start to the season with issues for both drivers. Belgium's Guillaume De Ridder suffering from a cooling issue after his radiator fan broke off and punctured a radiator in the morning practice session. While Cyril Raymond had to contend with punctures ruining his day. Both drivers are languishing at the tail of the field on day one. 

FULL World RX of Abu Dhabi OVERNIGHT STANDING (below).

Information Source: FIA World RX media

Bakkerud on Q1 pole position for World RX of Abu Dhabi

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media. 

The Q1 Grid Draw for the World RX of Abu Dhabi has taken place at the Yas Marina Circuit today. 

Monster Energy RX Cartel's Andreas Bakkerud will start on pole position for the first qualifying race of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Team STARD’s Pal Try and Xite Racing's Oliver Bennett will also start in race one.

GC Kompetition’s Guerlain Chicherit will start on pole position in race two, next to Kevin Hansen. 

GRX Taneco’s Timur Timerzyanov will start next to his teammate Reinis Nitiss in race three, while Timmy Hansen will take pole in race four.

Full Q1 Grid:

RACE 1
Andreas Bakkerud
Pal Try
Oliver Bennett

RACE 2
Guerlain Chicherit
Kevin Hansen
Timo Scheider
Cyril Raymond

RACE 3
Timur Timerzyanov
Reinis Nitiss
Guillaume De Ridder
Krisztian Szabo
Anton Marklund

RACE 4
Timmy Hansen
Niclas Gronholm
Janis Baumanis
Rokas Baciuska
Liam Doran

Red Bull is bringing Formula One to the streets of Cape Town.

Image Copyright - Red Bull Content Pool

Multiple Formula 1 race winner David Coulthard is set to give Cape Town a taste of Formula 1 on 2 June 2019. 

The Scot is set to thunder down the streets of Cape Town in the 2011 F1 World Championship winning Red Bull Racing RB7 (showcar).

Coulthard is synonymous with the glitz and glamour of F1 racing and will add this iconic experience to an illustrious career which includes 13 race wins and 62 podium finishes.

"Formula 1 is a global sport, but with a finite number of countries on the racing calendar, it is down to our show car team to travel farther afield and share the speed and sound of our sport with as many fans as possible," said Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner.

Red Bull Racing has taken the thrill of Formula 1 to cities like Hanoi, Tokyo and Mexico City and returns to South Africa to excite more fans in 2019. 

“We received an incredibly warm welcome when we first took our show car to Cape Town back in 2011 and we are delighted to return this year, powering the car down Cape Town’s iconic Grand Parade on June 2nd,” said Horner. “South Africa has a great heritage in F1, stretching back to 1962, and we look forward to seeing fans, old and new, turn out in force to witness the spectacle."

Speaking at the Bahrain GP about the Cape Town showcase Coulthard said: “I’m super excited to be in Cape Town in June for the Red Bull Circuit event."

"I’ll be driving the Formula One car, demonstrating the power, energy and excitement of what Grand Prix can bring," said Coulthard. "I haven’t been to South Africa since we were in Kyalami in 2011, so I’m delighted we’re bringing Formula One back to Cape Town."

The Red Bull Cape Town Circuit on Sunday, 2 June 2019 is shaping to be a scintillating spectacle of speed and precision for the whole family. 

Red Bull Cape Town Circuit important information:

WHEN: Sunday 2 June 2019
WHAT TIME: 12h00 - 17h00

HOW MUCH: General access is free! Limited grandstand tickets going on sale, end of April

WHERE: On Darling Street in Cape Town between Christian Barnard and Adderley Street.

PREVIEW - World RX returns with a desert duel in Abu Dhabi

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media.

The FIA World Rallycross Championship is back! The winter break has come to an end and testing is complete. The focus now switches to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for the opening round of the 2019 season

The World RX of Abu Dhabi will also be the first time a round has been held at night with the semi-finals and final on Saturday evening under floodlights.

As a debutant track, the Yas Marina Rallycross Circuit presents a level playing field for the drivers and teams.

There are plenty of challenges in the purpose-built 1.2 kilometer rallycross circuit featuring 63% asphalt and 37% gravel, a series of wide tarmac areas, tight turns including a hairpin and a formidable jump, all within the circuit’s famous Formula One circuit stadium section.

The quality, depth and multi-national mix of the competitors suggests a fierce battle from the moment the lights go green at Yas Marina.


What's new for the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship? 

There are a number of changes and additions to World RX in 2019.

The most significant change to the sporting regulations is the grid order from Q2 onwards. Q1 will be dictated by the pre-race draw, but for Q2, and Q3 the race order can be reversed by a random draw. Carried out at the end of the last race of Q1 and Q2 the draw will decide if the race order is as usual (fastest cars last) or reversed so that the fastest cars will race first.

At each event, a Driver Assistant to Stewards will be present. A number of experienced rallycross drivers will take up the role over the 10 round season, starting with 2015 FIA European Rallycross Champion Tommy Rustad this weekend in Abu Dhabi. There has also been a specific code of driving conduct for rallycross added to Appendix L of the FIA Regulations.

Within a number of minor changes to the technical regulations, Race Nets will now be used in all World RX cars. These will be visible when onboard views are shown and are triangular nets that pass each side of the driver and are connected to the dashboard. The Race Nets have been introduced to increase driver protection by offering better restriction on the movement of limbs in the event of a crash.


The 2019 FIA World Rallycross championship entry list and drivers

The 2019 entry list features 16 permanent drivers in six teams and four individual entries representing eight automotive brands with drivers from 11 countries.

The defending World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson is not competing in 2019 following PSRX Volkswagen Sweden's withdrawal, meaning none of the permanent drivers in World RX 2019 have won an FIA World Championship title. We will crown a new FIA World RX drivers’ champion this year.

Monster Energy RX Cartel’s Andreas Bakkerud looms as a championship favourite. Third in the overall standings in 2018, Bakkerud starts as the highest-placed finisher from last season. Alongside the Norwegian in the Audi S1 will be Liam Doran code-named "The British bomb".

The Hansen brothers, Timmy and Kevin, will run a pair of Peugeot 208 WRX Supercars for Team Hansen MJP, the first time the Swedish brothers have competed in equal machinery. Timmy and Kevin, may be one of the youngest line-ups on the grid, but they have both been competing in high-level rallycross for the last six years, and Timmy has started in every World RX race ever – all 61 of them.

Team STARD will campaign the all-new Ford Fiesta RXS for Janis Baumanis. He will be partnered by Pal Try in Abu Dhabi. Try will feature in at least three rounds in 2019.

GC Kompetition’s Anton Marklund makes a full-time return to World RX after focussing on European racing for the past two years. The Swede will partner team owner Guerlain Chicherit in Renault Meganes.

In the build-up to the season opener, Marklund has been helping with the development of the Megane and the Renault Clios to be shared by GCK Academy drivers Cyril Raymond and Guillaume De Ridder.

Marcus Gronholm’s GRX Taneco squad comprises three Hyundai i20s for Timur Timerzyanov and Niclas Gronholm. Abu Dhabi will be the first of a number of selected appearances for Reinis Nitiss of GRX Set. All three drivers completed the final pre-season test in Germany recently.

Oliver Bennett returns to build on his 2018 programme. His Xite Racing Mini Cooper has been subject to a programme of development and testing over the winter. 

Timo Scheider begins his first full-season campaign in the ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport Seat Ibiza. The German squad has been quietly going about pre-season testing. 

EKS Sport driver, Krisztian Szabo twice the European Super1600 Rallycross Champion, joined Bakkerud and the 2016 World RX Champion Mattias Ekstrom on the frozen wastelands of Scandinavia ahead of the season.

Rokas Baciuska is the least experienced of this season’s rookies. The reigning FIA European Rallycross Champion for Super1600, Baciuska will be at the wheel of ESmotorsport’s Skoda Fabia, which has completed well over 1,000 kilometres of testing this winter.

Let's go racing! 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Guerlain Chicherit sets clear objectives for 2019 World RX season.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media. 

Inspired to create something different, innovative and of exceptional quality, GCK was founded by former freeskiing Champion and motorsport driver Guerlain Chicherit.

The GCK brand encompassed his selection of unique, luxury ski and summer chalets in some of the most coveted holiday destinations, called GC-Kollection. While GC-Kreativ was also formed with the aim of producing unique, award-winning and thought-provoking designs and interiors.

Guerlain Chicherit took a step up to the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2018 with his own team GC Kompetition driving two Prodrive built and developed Renault Megane R.S. RX Supercars. 

The GC Kompetition team was formed with an approach to "changing the rules". Changing the rules in what way? Essentially the team strives to be different and to change in the rules within the paddock, on track, and amongst its fans.

The four-time freeriding world champion holds the record for becoming the first man in history to complete an unassisted backflip in a car. Having had a successful skiing career, the Frenchman made the switch to motorsport having amassed several starts and claiming three stage wins in the Dakar Rally.

Chicherit made his World RX debut in the JRM Mini RX Countryman in 2015 in preparation for a full-time programme with his own two-car GC Kompetition team in 2018. 

In 2018, Chicherit achieved a personal best finish of fifth place in Portugal and 11th overall in the drivers' championship. 

The GC Kompetition team also claimed their first podium in 2018 at Round 6 in Holjes, Sweden with former driver Jérôme Grosset-Janin.

With more experience in 2019, the team will be looking to improve in their second season in the World RX championship and will continue to run the Renault Megane R.S. RX Supercars, driven by Guerlain Chicherit and Anton Marklund. 

The 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship is set to be a humdinger with no factory teams and no defending champion. It's all to play for and with GCK on the rise, we took the opportunity to interview GCK team owner and driver Guerlain Chicherit. 

GC Kompetition - Anton Marklund and Guerlain Chicherit and the GCK Academy - Cyril Raymond (left) and Guillaume De Ridder (right)
PHOTO CREDIT: GC Kompetition.

Junaid Samodien: What are your expectations for your second season in World Rallycross?

Guerlain Chicherit: My expectations are pretty high. Last year was like a big year for us because we came with a brand new team and brand new cars. It was my first season in rallycross, so much to learn, and I was more confident at the end of the year with some really good times, but I was not able to put everything together and to confirm a proper good result as I was expecting, but I think we are clearly ready for 2019. And, we want to fight for the top position on every race (weekend) and that is the clear objective that we have with the team.

JS: What are you or GCK doing differently to win this season?

GC: What we did differently. We know the tracks now, that a big difference. We know the sport, and we learn a lot from last year with the cars. So, we knew what we had to change on the cars, and that is what we did. We have been working the whole winter to make some big evolution on the cars, with a new engine and fixed the problem we had at the starts because the launch was our big problem last year. So, now it looks like to be okay. 

Also, we completely changed the front. The front of the car was completely changed to have much more aggressive steering. Not power steering, but traction on the front (axle), that was the weak point of the car last year. So, all of this looks to be fixed, but you know its always easy to be super fast on the test when you are driving on your own.

Guerlain Chichert's 2019 World RX livery.
PHOTO CREDIT: GC Kompetition

JS: The 2019 GCK livery is rather unique. What inspired the change?

GC: I always like to be different and have my own design. I don’t like to follow what the others are doing and I don’t want to be like a proper typical motorsport design or livery like we did for the last fifty years. I try to be much more lifestyle and from where I am coming from. So, just try to change the rules all the time.

JS: GCK has moved from Prodrive to GFORS. Is there any specific reason for the switch?

GC: Yes, so it has a lot of reasons. First of all, GFORS are in France, and it was much better for me to follow and keep up with the team, and in terms of cost efficiency it was also much better. To work with Prodrive in UK it's always super expensive because you always have to cross... Take the boat and plane all the time. So, it was not easy. And especially because this season we launched a second team with the Clio, its was much more efficient for me to have all my cars managed by the same team because its a lot of saving at every post. 

But, do not forget without Prodrive this car could not exist. So, it does not change the fact that these cars are still for me the best Rallycross cars ever built, and I hope that we will show this year that these are the best cars on track, and we will see that. But without Prodrive it could not happen. 

You know GFORS is a really, really good team. Well experienced for fifteen years of rallycross. They have really good experience, but clearly this team could not design this car, because this car is really amazing, its really a masterpiece and I really want to say thank you to Prodrive one more time, and let’s see what goes on in the future that is maybe not finished. Maybe we will work with Prodrive again, let’s see. 

JS: GCK has entered four Renault R.S. RX Supercars for the 2019 World RX championship. Two Renault Megane R.S. RX Supercars and Two Renault Clio R.S. RX Supercars. Would your team approach Renault Sport for factory support in the future?

GC: For sure, I would love to have the support from Renault because I think we are doing a pretty good job, the cars are looking good and the team is looking good. What is missing at the moment are the results, but we are working on this and I think it's coming soon. So, let’s see what's going on for the next few weeks or months for the first race, but we are pretty confident. 

But to not be fully factory supported it also gives me much more flexibility and for the livery and all this I can.. You know GCK can decide exactly what we want to do. We want to be different, we are different. If you are, supported by a factory there are so many rules and you can not do everything you want. And, it works like this for me. I like to be independent, but if Renault wants to help one day. For sure, they are more than welcome. 

JS: In 2021, World Rallycross could switch to electric rallycross. Do you see this switch as a benefit for you (the GCK team)?

GC: First of all, 2021 is not confirmed yet. So, let’s see what’s going on, but if the electric (switch) is confirmed. Yes, that is a big change and we are going to follow this direction. We want to go, but its not my decision to confirm this change or not. But, if the electric is happening there is a big chance that GCK will be there because we didn’t come to Rallycross only for two or three seasons. The plan is to be there for the long term. 

I love motorsport. Especially fall in love with rallycross that is really what I like in motorsport. These cars are really big monsters like they are coming from another planet (laughs). Those cars are really amazing!

And, on electric they will be even more amazing in terms of performance, maybe a little bit more to be honest boring for the fan, but its a question to compensate with something else. Maybe find a more aggressive track. Maybe more jumps, something has to change, you know. The track will have to change or the rules have to change and to give it back to the fans. Again, I can just say what I think. It is not my decision, but let's see. I can confirm that if it is becoming electric, we will probably be there. 

Thank You to Guerlain Chicerit for answering my questions. Also, a big thank you to Nini Mikolajski and Roots Management International for assisting with the interview.

Interview and Text By - Junaid Samodien 
Sources: GC Kompetition and FIA World Rallycross Championship (media) 
Image Sources: GC Kompetition and FIA World Rallycross Championship (media)

Grönholm RX Taneco ready to beat the heat in Abu Dhabi

GRX Taneco drivers: Reinis Nitišs, Niclas Grönholm, and Timur Timerzyanov.
PHOTO CREDIT: GRX Taneco

Grönholm RX Taneco is ready to beat the heat in Abu Dhabi. The Finnish squad will field a three-car line-up, with the team's two permanent drivers: Timur Timerzyanov and Niclas Grönholm, while the team’s development driver, Reinis Nitišs will pilot the third supercar.

The new Abu Dhabi rallycross track is built within the Formula 1 complex at the Yas Marina circuit and for the first time in World RX history, the race is planned to take place under artificial light.

"Abu Dhabi with its brand-new track and night race will be an amazing experience for all of us," said Niclas Grönholm. 

The Finn is ready to take a step forward in 2019. "I have been working to become a better athlete in every aspect, improvements have been made on the car and the whole team has taken yet another step forward," he adds.

Timur Timerzyanov is also raring to go racing in his new updated Hyundai i20 Supercars, as he believes the new i20 Supercar suits his driving style. “I feel that me personally as well as the car and the team are in the best shape to fight for every point in Drivers’ and Teams’ championship," said Timerzyanov. 

"I have been preparing for this season mentally and physically and I am ready to push through the whole 10 rounds for the best result,” he adds.

The 1.2 km Yas Marina RX circuit is 63% tarmac (including a series of Turns 5-6-7 of the F1 track), and 37% of hard gravel surface that also features the track’s only jump. Even though the race will take place in a late afternoon, it is expected that the air temperature will be well above 30 degrees Celsius, making the conditions in the racing close to extreme.

Despite the optimistic talk from the GRX Taneco team drivers. Team Principal Marcus Grönholm believes that the true pecking order will only be confirmed in the first qualifying session.

“We feel confident about our achievements. But we also know, that only the first Qualifying rounds of Abu Dhabi will paint us a true picture of where everybody stands in terms of performance," said Marcus Grönholm.

The 2018 Euro RX Supercar Champion Reinis Nitisš joins the GRX Taneco team as their development driver and will compete in selected World RX rounds.

“For sure I am happy and excited to get back in the World RX game for the season opener and it’s hard to imagine a more spectacular place for it than Abu Dhabi," said Nitisš. 

"I will not only try to show my best performance here, but I will also do my duty of helping the team to find the right set-ups as fast as possible so we can give our competitors a run for their money."

The season opener World RX of Abu Dhabi will get underway on Friday, April 5 with a Free Practice session before the Q1&Q2 races, and will continue on Saturday, April 6 with Q3&Q4 rounds, Semi-finals and Final.

ESmotorsport reveals striking new livery for 2019 World RX season.

PHOTO CREDIT: ESmotorsport – Labas GAS

The Lithuanian team ESmotorsport – Labas GAS has today revealed their striking new livery for their inaugural FIA World Rallycross campaign. 

ESmotorsport-Labas GAS are fully prepared for their inaugural season after completing over 1,000 kilometers in testing in 2018 with multiple drivers testing the new Skoda Fabia WRX Supercar.

Team founder and former rallycross driver, Ernestas Staponkus is confident that their young rookie driver Rokas Baciuška is capable of success. 

Last year, the young Lithuanian won European Rallycross Championship in Super1600 category, and this season he will become the youngest driver on Supercar grid.

Baciuška has selected 14, as his World RX Supercars race number. 

According to the Rokas, the number brings luck to him. "I won my first championship title in Baltic karting championship when my kart number was 14," said Baciuška. "This number brought me success in the last year at the European Rallycross Championship in the Super1600 class too."

Let's take a look at the new Skoda Fabia WRX Supercars and its 2019 livery.

PHOTO CREDIT: ESmotorsport – Labas GAS

World RX series promoters haved revealed the all new electric series - Projekt E

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX media

The FIA World Rallycross series promoters IMG have today announced a new electric series titled Projekt E.  

The Projekt E concept will see electric-powered cars competing on the same weekend as the traditional Supercars.

The full electrification of the FIA World Rallycross championship failed last week when series promoters IMG required at least three manufacturers and one specialist supplier in order to pass the switch to electric rallycross.

“In terms of the strategy for introduction of electrification to rallycross, we have been in discussions for nearly two years with a number of manufacturers," said Torben Olsen, the Managing Director of World RX for IMG. "Ultimately it emerged that the manufacturers were not yet ready to commit in sufficient numbers to make a fully-electric World Championship a reality."

“Our aim is to showcase, by 2021 at the latest, future mobility and relevant technologies in the tough, competitive environment of rallycross with production-based vehicles that consumers can relate to," said Olsen.

"However, we believe that Projekt E is a positive step forward to deliver on our 2017 pledge."

The new-look race weekend format will allow rallycross fans to enjoy the traditional internal combustion engines – and get a glimpse of the future for production-based cars. 

“Projekt E enables us to embrace emerging technologies, remain relevant, and show that electric cars are fast and fun,” said Olsen.

The FIA and IMG will be revealing more information at a later stage about the format for Projekt E and the electrified cars which will line up on the grid.

TEXT - Junaid Samodien.