Last week saw the first running of the Projekt E series, a support category to the FIA World Rallycross Championship, at the Holjes rallycross circuit in Sweden. The event represented the FIA competition debut for manufacturer STARD’s electric powertrain, dubbed REVelution, which equips all of the cars competing in the series.
The concept utilizes three electric motors, producing 450kW (613bhp) combined power and 1,002Nm of instantaneous torque, giving the cars a top speed of 240km/h, with drive delivered via a four-wheel drive system and 2-speed transmission fitted to both axles.
Michael Sakowicz, STARD CEO and founder, was understandably pleased to see the project come to fruition: “After many years of working so many very long days to develop this concept in-house in Austria, it was incredible and emotional to witness the racing this weekend. It was brilliant to run the REVelution powertrains on one of the world’s most challenging rallycross circuits.
“Our powertrain and cars are being raced in an environment as rough and fast as no other electric racecar has ever done before. We are so proud of the performance and reliability we have seen this weekend, which was flawless apart from minor rallycross-typical damages like a broken driveshaft. Charging supplied by the grid without any generators, temperature management of the powertrain and service on work around the cars, all worked entirely perfect. The hard work doesn’t stop though and we will raise the level even more for the second Projekt E race in Latvia next month (September).”
