The World Rallycross Championship is beginning afresh. A brand new promoter within the FIA, a brand new calendar, a change of season opener. Change is afoot.
One factor staying the identical is the variety of powertrains. Final yr a Battle of Applied sciences idea was launched, pitting chassis geared up with electrical powertrains instantly in opposition to their petrol-powered brethren.
In an end result that stunned no-one, Johan Kristoffersson went on a dominant run to clinch his seventh profession World RX title – and his fifth in a row. However throughout the 12 rounds, solely three have been received by electrical vehicles final season: brothers Timmy and Kevin Hansen scored one win apiece for his or her eponymous group, whereas Niclas Grönholm took the PWR RX1e to prime spot in Hungary final yr.
Kristoffersson being dominant is hardly shocking no matter powertrain – however how a lot of that was right down to the driving force, and the way a lot to the automotive?
To ensure Kristoffersson’s brilliance is thru driving alone, and never any perceived benefit one automotive could have over the opposite, the FIA enlisted one other rallycross star. Andreas Bakkerud – a seven-time winner in World RX and 2019 championship runner-up – joined the regulars at Lousada earlier this week for pre-event testing.
Bakkerud hopped right into a impartial automotive that received’t be competing in the course of the season and set benchmark laps. Then got here the weird half: he took turns on the wheel of each automotive registered to compete. Representing the EVs, Bakkerud piloted the Peugeot 208 RX1e and PWR’s machine, then gave the KMS-built petrol Polo and the ICE-spec Hyundais and Peugeots a whirl.
