The headline Supercar category in the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy will join the UK’s round of FIA World Rallycross Championship on July 22-23 next year for a points-scoring round.
The pinnacle of the sport last raced at the Kent venue in 2017, but having switched to a brand-new era of all-electric cars at the top level, will now return to the circuit that hosted the first-ever rallycross event on February 4 1967, joining renowned venues such as Holjes in Sweden, Hell in Norway and Cape Town in South Africa on the 10-round calendar, as announced by the FIA World Motor Sport Council today [December 7].
Lydden Hill has undergone significant developments since World RX last raced at the venue, including changes to the track.
The re-profiled opening corner has increased overtaking opportunities in events run on the revised layout so far, while the large jump in the first half of the lap has added a third dimension to the challenge for drivers, and a spectacular sight for the fans.
The 2022 World Rallycross Championship was won by Swede Johan Kristoffersson, followed by former champion Timmy Hansen and Finn Niclas Gronholm. The World RX grid of 500kW, four-wheel-drive electric cars is expected to increase for 2023, while other on track racing action will also take place at Lydden Hill across the weekend.
Further information on the event will be revealed in the coming weeks, while tickets will go on sale before Christmas.
Hannah Rynston, Managing Director, Lydden Hill Race Circuit:
“Lydden Hill’s return to the World Rallycross Championship comes at a very exciting time for us, having adapted the circuit to improve the racing while maintaining its historic makeup, alongside the continuous work to improve the venue as a whole that has been ongoing for the last few years. That falls in line with World RX’s switch to all-electric cars at the top level as the championship continues to evolve. This event will a great addition to our already action-packed 2023 calendar, and we can’t wait to announce further details of what is going to take place alongside World RX that weekend, in the coming weeks.”
Arne Dirks, Executive Director, Rallycross Promoter GmbH, said:
“We are tremendously excited to be returning to Lydden Hill next year. This is the place where it all began for rallycross – the birthplace of the sport – and it is a venue steeped in history and tradition. It is clear how much enthusiasm there is for rallycross at Lydden, and we look forward to introducing the passionate and knowledgeable British fans to World RX’s electrifying new era in 2023!”
90right UK Rallying 