World Rallycross adds E-racing element to racing grid

LONDON: IMG Motorsports, promoter of the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WRX), has announced plans to introduce an electric racing element to each race weekend on the calendar.  
 
The concept, titled Projekt E, will allow rallycross fans to enjoy the traditional internal combustion engines – and be given a glimpse of the future for production-based cars.
 
Torben Olsen, managing director of World RX, said IMG will become a pioneer in the introduction of EV technologies to a production-based motorsport series.
 
“IMG has pledged as far back as 2017 that electrification would be part of the World RX weekend. Today we can confirm our intention to deliver on that objective,” said Olsen.
 
“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.
 
“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. Ultimately it emerged that the manufacturers were not yet ready to commit in sufficient numbers to make a fully-electric World Championship a reality. However, we believe that Projekt E is a positive step forward to deliver on our 2017 pledge.”
 
Over the coming months, the FIA and IMG will be revealing more about the format for Projekt E and the electrified cars which will line up on the grid in the future.   
 
Olsen added: “Projekt E enables us to embrace emerging technologies, remain relevant, and show that electric cars are fast and fun.”