Autosport (UK)

Industry Update

The latest developmen­ts in the world of motorsport engineerin­g

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The new Citroen Racing-supported C3 ERX rallycross car made a winning debut in the second round of World Rallycross’s Projekt E electric support series last weekend in Latvia.

Conceived as a collaborat­ion between

Citroen Racing and Projekt E electric kit producer STARD, owned by Manfred Stohl, the C3 ERX is based on an R5 rally bodyshell.

The car had been due to make its maiden appearance in the inaugural Projekt E round at the Swedish World RX season opener, but Covid-19related logistical delays meant the first outing was postponed until the second round in Riga, where Frenchman Cyril Raymond piloted the

C3 to victory against a trio of Ford Fiesta ERXS.

The programme is the first in rallycross to get Citroen backing since its support for Kenneth Hansen’s European Rallycross Championsh­ip programmes ended more than a decade ago.

The C3 ERX is said to use 80% of the worksbuilt components found on Citroen’s latest R5 rally machine, including suspension, brakes and bodywork. For the car’s debut, it sported a larger rear spoiler from a C3 WRC.

The C3 ERX bodyshell has been retro-fitted with STARD’S ‘revelution’ electric powertrain system, the single-specificat­ion kit mandated for use in all Projekt E cars. It uses three electric motors, two at the rear and one at the front, as part of its four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transmissi­on fitted to both axles.

The car produces 450kw and 1002Nm of torque.

The C3 ERX is the second model to be introduced into Projekt E, following the Fiesta that was used at the series’ launch. Four examples of the car are currently competing, with Nathalie Barratt – the only driver to enter both rounds to date – leading the championsh­ip.

Another marque is expected to join the grid before the end of the campaign, but German team Volland Racing is yet to confirm which model of car it will adopt.

 ??  ?? Raymond took the new C3 ERX’S first win in Riga
Raymond took the new C3 ERX’S first win in Riga

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