IMG Motorsports is to launch an electric rallycross series next year, which will be held during the existing FIA World Rallycross Championship weekend. Projekt E will see electric-powered cars compete on the same weekend as traditional Supercars.
This weekend format will allow rallycross fans to enjoy the traditional internal combustion engines – and be given a glimpse of the future for production-based cars, said IMG.
Torben Olsen, the managing director of World Rallycross (RX) for series promoter IMG, said that IMG aims to become a pioneer in the introduction of EV technologies to a production-based motorsport series.
“We 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,” he said.
“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 that will line up on the grid in the future.
