First electric vs petrol racing series set to be approved

National motor sport will take another step into the future this year, when electric cars are admitted to the British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy to race on equal terms with their internal combustion counterparts – the first time this has happened in the UK.

Governing body Motorsport UK is in the process of approving the inclusion of electric vehicles, which will use the STARD (Stohl Advanced Research & Development) ERX powertrain previously seen in the all-electric Projekt E division of the World Rallycross Championship. STARD president Manfred Stohl, previously one of Austria’s leading rally drivers, has already taken on – and beaten – petrol-powered cars, when he drove en electric Ford Fiesta in an event at the Kakucs Ring, Hungary.

The STARD-powered machines develop about 600bhp, similar to the current pace-setters in rallycross’s Supercars class, and kits will be available to convert existing petrol cars to electricity.

STARD CEO Michael Sakowicz said, “We’re delighted that 5 Nations BRX recognises how suitable the STARD ERX concept is. The relatively short runs lend themselves very nicely to charging requirements, with about 15 laps possible on a single charge. We believe the ERX cars will be attractive to drivers looking for the next era of competition.”