ELECTRIC WORLD RX IS DELAYED UNTIL 2021
Organisers want more time for firms to commit
The proposed plan to switch the World Rallycross Championship to electric cars has been delayed until 2021, series bosses announced last week.
The postponement is “to allow optimal time for all manufacturers investigating the possibility of competing to develop their plans,” series bosses said in a statement last Thursday.
World RX had originally intended to swap to electrically-powered, four- wheel drive, twin-motor machines for 2020, with the closing date for manufacturer entries set for August 15 this year. But, the deadline has now been extended to March 29 2019, ahead of a delayed start in 2021.
Of the manufacturers known to be involved with the forming of the electric World RX concept, together with the FIA and championship promotor IMG, Peugeot has been most vocal about its intent to sign up for the series. Volkswagen, Audi and Ford have also been connected with electric rallycross programmes, but there has not yet been any official announcement from marques about their participation.
“A huge amount has been accomplished in a relatively short time since the first formal meeting in June 2017,” said IMG’S Paul Bellamy. “A completely new type of rallycross car has been conceived and defined, and so it is worth waiting a little longer to secure the best possible field of competitors. We believe that fans new and old will love what will be a thrilling addition to their favourite events.”
The current internal combustion engine Supercars, powered by twolitre turbocharged engines, will continue to run as the headline class until the end of 2020. The new electric cars will be based on a single-make carbon monocoque chassis developed and supplied by ORECA, while Williams Advanced Engineering will supply the batteries. Manufacturers will develop their own powertrains and bodies, as revealed by Motorsport
News earlier this year.