The FIA World Rallycross Championship is on the Road to Hell this weekend, for the start of the series’ eagerly-anticipated electric era at Ramudden World RX of Norway on 13-14th August – and an electrifying spectacle is firmly in prospect.
The FIA World Rallycross Championship is the pinnacle of the dual-surface discipline, blending cutting-edge innovation with family-friendly spectator appeal. An evolution of the popular and prestigious FIA European Rallycross Championship, World RX was launched in 2014 and visits some of the most iconic venues in the sport. In 2022, the series will enter a new era as it goes fully electric – the next step on its journey towards a more sustainable future.
Following months of hard work behind the scenes, the championship’s ultra-powerful electric beasts – whose twin motors, pushing out 500kW (equivalent to 680bhp) and 880Nm of instant torque, will propel them to 100km/h faster than a Formula 1 car – are ready ‘to go hell’ for leather out on-track.
The sport’s drivers and teams have spent the past few weeks fettling and testing their new cars in an effort to gain a crucial edge over the opposition heading into the forthcoming campaign.
“This is a totally fresh start for World RX, and one that will disrupt and transform the motorsport landscape by demonstrating the outstanding potential of this pioneering new technology,” Arne Dirks, executive director of Rallycross Promoter GmbH said.
Rallycross Promoter GmbH, a joint company of Red Bull GmbH and KW25 Beteiligungs GmbH, is responsible for all commercial aspects of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, including TV production and the marketing of global media and sponsorship rights. The Promoter also has the responsibility of increasing the field of participants and to propose the venues that form the calendars in the FIA World Rallycross Championship and supporting series.
The Hell (actually a town in Norway where the event is taking place) entry list is headlined by Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS’ Johan Kristoffersson, who is chasing an incredible fifth Drivers’ crown behind the wheel of his Volkswagen RX1e.
There is also a rapid and experienced home hero in the field, as Ole Christian Veiby rejoins the fray for Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS just under seven years on from his last appearance in World RX.
The popular and undulating Lånkebanen circuit will celebrate its return to the calendar following a three-year absence with a full bill of rallycross entertainment, as the stars of RX2e, Euro RX1, and Euro RX3 – including Olympic skiing legend Aksel Lund Svindal and fans’ favourite Andreas Bakkerud – similarly prepare to head into battle.
“With the switch to electric powertrains delivering close to 900Nm of instant torque, Cooper Tire has developed a new ACB11 rallycross tyre that takes performance to new levels while utilising sustainable materials and manufacturing techniques,” said James Weekley, general manager of motorsport at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd.
“These are very exciting times for the sport, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing the cars hit the track for what we are sure will be some intense and thrilling racing!”
World RX isn’t the only rallycross going electric, however. Nitro RX has also started using EVs and had its first race in England in June.