Electric off-road rallying series Extreme E has confirmed that the former Glenmuckloch opencast coal mine site in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, will be used for the series’s next event, the Hydro X Prix, on May 13-14, 2023.
The restored former coal mine is scheduled to undergo its next phase of development into a pumped storage hydropower (PSH) plant and wind farm, making it an ideal location for Extreme E to hold an event as the series aims to raise awareness of climate change and global solutions.
“We are thrilled to be headed to Scotland in May for the Hydro X Prix, and we could not have found a more perfect racing site than the former Glenmuckloch coal mine,” said Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Extreme E. “
Here in Scotland, our race site will play homage to the much needed transition of an old coal mine which is being given a new and exciting lease of life as a hydro-project, which will provide a fully renewable energy source for the region for centuries to come.”
At present, the racecourse is being designed and will include all of the site’s natural obstacles and terrain to challenge the all-electric Odyssey 21 vehicle.
To increase sustainability and to keep the race series’s event footprint to a minimum, Extreme E limits the number of team personnel and staff on site, in addition to not having spectators.
“It is brilliant that we will be returning to the UK for Extreme E Season 3 and we are really looking forward to the next round of the championship in Scotland,” explained Jenson Button, JBXE team owner. “There is such a passion for motorsport in the UK, and it is great that the series is returning to its roots once again.
“I’ve been lucky enough to race on UK soil many times throughout my career and those memories will always be incredibly special to me, while the last time the series raced in the UK JBXE were able to pick up a podium – and so we will be aiming for similar at the Hydro X Prix. Racing in Scotland will provide a totally new challenge for our team, but I am confident we will be able to kick-start our season there.”
