FIA World Rallycross Championship

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
FIA World Rallycross Championship
CategoryRallycross
CountryInternational
Inaugural season2014; 10 years ago (2014)
Tire suppliersCooper
Drivers' championSweden Johan Kristoffersson
Teams' championSweden Kristoffersson Motorsport
Official websitefiaworldrallycross.com
Current season

The FIA World Rallycross Championship (official abbreviation is World RX) is a rallycross series organised by the FIA in conjunction with series promoter Rallycross Promoter GmbH (founded by Red Bull and KW25).[1] From the inaugural season in 2014 to 2020, IMG Motorsport fulfilled the role of promoter.

Format

The series currently consists of 12 two-day events driven on closed circuits with mixed surface (mostly asphalt and gravel). Each event consists of:[2]

  • 4 Qualifying heats. In each of the 4 series there are smaller races containing 3 to 5 cars, and the driver with the fastest overall race time after 4 laps (including one Joker Lap) is declared the qualifying winner of Q1, Q2, Q3 and/or Q4. Drivers earn 'intermediate points' based on their positions. After the 4 qualifying series, the points are added up and the 12 drivers with the most points in the 'intermediate standings' move into the next round.
  • 2 Semi-Finals. 6 cars race in each of both semi-finals, which are run over 6 laps (incl. one Joker Lap). The top 3 drivers in each semi-final move into the final round.
  • Final. Like the semi-finals, this race is contested by 6 cars over 6 laps (incl. one Joker Lap). The winner of the final is deemed to be the event winner. However, the final winner has not necessarily claimed the most championship points from the whole event.

Categories

During the first FIA World Rallycross Championship season in 2014, two classes were run, Supercar (later RX1) and the supporting RX Lites series (later RX2).[3] RX Lites teams raced identical cars prepared by OlsbergsMSE.[4] The World RX Championship series was introduced to distinguish it from the FIA European Rallycross Championship, which has been contested since 1976 and was renamed in March 2013.[5]

The Projekt E electric rallycross car

An electric category was planned to be introduced in 2020,[6][7] but it was announced in August 2018 that the introduction of a fully electric Championship would be delayed until 2021 to allow manufacturers more time to submit an interest to join following the rules change.[8][9] Instead, the Projekt E class was run in 2020 as a special parallel series using a spec racer.[10] The Projekt E spec electric rallycross car was revealed in September 2019 at the Riga Motor Museum in Latvia.[11] FIA announced in August 2020 that RX2e would be replacing the RX2 category for the 2021 season.[12] The top World Rallycross Championship series switched to electric cars (RX1e) in August 2022, making World RX an all-electric race series.[13]

For 2022, there are two World Rallycross Championships and two European Rallycross Championships:[14]

  1. FIA World Rallycross Championship, using cars from the RX1e class
  2. FIA Euro RX1 Rallycross Championship, using cars from the RX1 class
  3. FIA RX2e Rallycross Championship, using cars from the RX2e class
  4. FIA Euro RX3 Rallycross Championship, using cars from the RX3 class
FIA World Rallycross class summary
Class Output Weight Years
Power Torque
RX1[a] 430–450 kW (570–600 hp) 840–920 N⋅m (620–680 lb⋅ft) 1,300 kg (2,900 lb) 2014–2021
now Euro only[b]
RX2[c] 230–240 kW (310–320 hp) 300 N⋅m (220 lbf⋅ft) 1,100 kg (2,400 lb) 2014–2020
RX3[d] 160–190 kW (220–250 hp) 190–200 N⋅m (140–150 lbf⋅ft) 920–1,000 kg (2,030–2,200 lb) Euro only[b]
Projekt E 450 kW (600 hp) 2020
RX1e 510 kW (680 hp) 880 N⋅m (650 lbf⋅ft) 1,300–1,330 kg (2,870–2,930 lb) 2022–present
RX2e 270 kW (360 hp) 510 N⋅m (380 lbf⋅ft) 1,290 kg (2,840 lb) 2021–present
Notes
  1. ^ Formerly Supercar, 2014–20
  2. ^ a b Exclusively contested in Euro RX
  3. ^ Formerly RX Lites, 2014–16
  4. ^ Formerly Super 1600, 2001–10

Internal combustion

The top-level RX1 Supercars division use 2.0 L, turbocharged, four-cylinder engines, which produce approximately 570–600 hp (430–450 kW), and between 620–680 lb⋅ft (840–920 N⋅m) of torque,[15] while using a 45 mm (1.8 in) intake restrictor.[16][17][18]: 5/41 [19][20][21][22] The engines run 50 psi (3.4 bar) of boost pressure,[23][24] and completely unrestricted, are capable of making about 1,000 hp (750 kW) and 1,100 lb⋅ft (1,500 N⋅m) of torque.[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] They are four-wheel-drive, and use a Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox. They use launch control, and are capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in under 2 seconds; which is faster than a Formula One car. Fully prepared, the cars weigh about 1,300 kg (2,900 lb), including the driver, and with oil and fuel.[33][34]

The second-tier RX2 Supercar Lites division uses a 16-valve, 2.4 L, naturally aspirated, Ford Duratec inline-four engine, making between 310–320 hp (230–240 kW) and 300 N⋅m (220 lbf⋅ft) of torque. They are also four-wheel-drive, and also use a 6-speed sequential gearbox.[35][36] They have a minimum weight of 1,100 kg (2,400 lb), including the driver.[37][38][39]

The RX3 (formerly Super 1600) class uses 1.6 L (1600 cc), naturally aspirated, four-cylinder engines; generating between 220–250 hp (160–190 kW) and between 190–200 N⋅m (140–150 lbf⋅ft) of torque. They are only two-wheel-drive (front-wheel-drive), and use either a 5- or 6-speed sequential gearbox. They weigh between 920–1,000 kg (2,030–2,200 lb) including the driver, depending on how many valves per cylinder the engine has. They are capable of a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time in just under 4.5 seconds.[40][41][42]

Electric

The top-level all-electric RX1e Supercar division uses two electric motors, each producing 340 hp (250 kW) and 440 N⋅m (320 lbf⋅ft) of torque; for a total of 680 hp (510 kW) and 880 N⋅m (650 lbf⋅ft) of instant torque.[43][44] They are four-wheel-drive, weigh between 1,300–1,330 kg (2,870–2,930 lb), and can accelerate from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 1.8 seconds.[45][46]

The second-tier all-electric RX2e division uses two electric motors, each producing 167.5 hp (124.9 kW) and 255 N⋅m (188 lbf⋅ft) of torque; for a total of 335 hp (250 kW) and 510 N⋅m (380 lbf⋅ft) of torque. They are also four-wheel-drive, and weigh 1,290 kg (2,840 lb).[47][48][49]

Projekt E used electric powertrain kits supplied by STARD. The first car used a Ford Fiesta bodyshell; the STARD ElectRX was a three-motor, all-wheel drive car with 450 kW (600 hp) combined output.[50]

Points system

Points are scored as follows:

Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th
Points 20 16 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2014-2021 World Championship points were scored as follows:

Points Scale Position
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th
Heats 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Semi-Finals 6 5 4 3 2 1
Final 8 5 4 3 2 1
  • A red background denotes drivers who did not advance from the round

Drivers

Events

Results

Records correct up to and including the 2022 World RX of Germany.

Champions

FIA World Rallycross Champions (Supercar / RX1 / RX1e)
Season Championship for Drivers Championship for Teams
Driver Team Car Team Car
2014 Norway Petter Solberg Sweden PSRX France Citroën DS3 Sweden Olsbergs MSE United States Ford Fiesta ST
2015 Norway Petter Solberg Sweden SDRX France Citroën DS3 Sweden Team Peugeot-Hansen France Peugeot 208
2016 Sweden Mattias Ekström Sweden EKS RX Germany Audi S1 Sweden EKS RX Germany Audi S1
2017 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Germany Volkswagen Polo GTI Sweden PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Germany Volkswagen Polo GTI
2018 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Germany Volkswagen Polo R Sweden PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Germany Volkswagen Polo R
2019 Sweden Timmy Hansen Sweden Team Hansen MJP France Peugeot 208 Sweden Team Hansen MJP France Peugeot 208
2020 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS Germany Volkswagen Polo Sweden KYB Team JC Germany Audi S1
2021 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden EKS KYB JC Germany Audi S1 Sweden Hansen World RX Team France Peugeot 208
2022 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden Kristoffersson Motorsport Germany Volkswagen Polo Sweden Kristoffersson Motorsport Germany Volkswagen Polo
2023 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden Kristoffersson Motorsport Germany Volkswagen Polo Sweden Kristoffersson Motorsport Germany Volkswagen Polo
FIA RX Lites / RX2 / RX2e Champions
Season Championship for Drivers
Driver Team Car
2014 Sweden Kevin Eriksson Sweden Olsbergs MSE OMSE RX Lite Car
2015 Sweden Kevin Hansen Sweden Hansen Junior Team OMSE RX Lite Car
2016 France Cyril Raymond France Cyril Raymond OMSE RX Lite Car
2017 France Cyril Raymond France Cyril Raymond OMSE RX2 Car
2018 Sweden Oliver Eriksson Sweden Olsbergs MSE OMSE RX2 Car
2019 Sweden Oliver Eriksson Sweden Olsbergs MSE OMSE RX2 Car
2020 Norway Henrik Krogstad Sweden Olsbergs MSE OMSE RX2 Car
2021 Belgium Guillaume De Ridder Belgium Guillaume De Ridder ZEROID X1
2022 Belgium Viktor Vranckx Belgium Bert Vranckx ZEROID X1
2023[a] Sweden Nils Andersson Sweden Team E ZEROID X1

Statistics

Event wins by driver

The drivers champion of the first two seasons, Petter Solberg
2016 champion Mattias Ekström
Six time champion Johan Kristoffersson

Key

Driver is a World Champion
Bold Driver has competed in the 2023 season
Wins Driver First win Last win
41 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson 2015 World RX of Portugal 2023 World RX of Hong Kong, China
13 Sweden Timmy Hansen 2014 World RX of Italy 2022 World RX of Catalunya
12 Sweden Mattias Ekström 2014 World RX of Sweden 2020 World RX of Latvia
10 Norway Petter Solberg 2014 World RX of Portugal 2017 World RX of Great Britain
7 Norway Andreas Bakkerud 2014 World RX of Great Britain 2019 World RX of Canada
Finland Niclas Grönholm 2019 World RX of Norway 2022 World RX of Portugal
3 Sweden Kevin Hansen 2019 World RX of Abu Dhabi 2023 World RX of Hong Kong, China
2 France Davy Jeanney 2015 World RX of Germany 2015 World RX of Canada
Finland Toomas Heikkinen 2014 World RX of Belgium 2015 World RX of Belgium
France Sébastien Loeb 2016 World RX of Latvia 2018 World RX of Belgium
1 Latvia Reinis Nitišs 2014 World RX of Norway 2014 World RX of Norway
United States Tanner Foust 2014 World RX of Finland 2014 World RX of Finland
Sweden Robin Larsson 2015 World RX of Argentina 2015 World RX of Argentina
Sweden Kevin Eriksson 2016 World RX of Germany 2016 World RX of Germany
Russia Timur Timerzyanov 2019 World RX of Belgium 2019 World RX of Belgium
Sweden Sebastian Eriksson 2019 World RX of Sweden 2019 World RX of Sweden
Germany Timo Scheider 2023 World RX of South Africa 2023 World RX of South Africa

Event podiums by driver

Podiums Driver
56 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson
45 Sweden Timmy Hansen
30 Norway Petter Solberg
Norway Andreas Bakkerud
27 Sweden Mattias Ekström
21 Sweden Kevin Hansen
17 France Sébastien Loeb
Finland Niclas Grönholm
8 Finland Toomas Heikkinen
Latvia Reinis Nitišs
7 Norway Ole Christian Veiby
6 Sweden Robin Larsson
Russia Timur Timerzyanov
Germany Timo Scheider
4 Sweden Anton Marklund
3 France Davy Jeanney
Sweden Gustav Bergström
2 United States Ken Block
United States Tanner Foust
Sweden Kevin Eriksson
Latvia Jānis Baumanis
Hungary Krisztián Szabó
1 United Kingdom Andrew Jordan
United Kingdom Liam Doran
France Jean-Baptiste Dubourg
France Jerome Grosset-Janin
Finland Joni Wiman
Sweden Richard Göransson
Finland Juha Rytkönen
Sweden Sebastian Eriksson
Netherlands Kevin Abbring
Switzerland Yury Belevskiy
Sweden Klara Andersson
United Kingdom Patrick O'Donovan

Event wins by car

Wins Car
41 Germany Volkswagen Polo
19 France Peugeot 208
16 Germany Audi S1
9 France Citroën DS3
7 South Korea Hyundai i20
6 United States Ford Fiesta
4 Spain ZEROID X1
3 United States Ford Focus
1 Germany Audi A1
Sweden PWR RX1e

Event wins by manufacturer

Wins Manufacturer
41 Germany Volkswagen
19 France Peugeot
17 Germany Audi
9 France Citroën
United States Ford
7 South Korea Hyundai
4 Spain QEV Technologies
1 Sweden PWR Racing

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The 2023 RX2e series was part of the European championship, rather than the world championship as it had been previously.

References

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  4. ^ Bristow, Matt (January 23, 2014). "FIA World Rallycross Championship Adds RX Lites As Support Class". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  5. ^ Bristow, Matt (March 26, 2013). "New Look European Rallycross Under Starters Orders This Weekend". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  6. ^ Ridge, Hal (2 August 2017). "World Rallycross to introduce electric cars as early as 2020". Autosport.com. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
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  9. ^ Kinch, Phil (August 16, 2018). "World RX postpones move to Electric until 2021". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  10. ^ Cunnane, Jack (January 28, 2020). "World RX to run Electric and Petrol Powered supercars in 2021". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
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  12. ^ Lindroos, Pontus (August 1, 2020). "FIA eRX2 Championship Unveiled". The Checkered Flag.
  13. ^ Huntley, Ben (August 4, 2022). "Premiere of the new era of World Rallycross to take place next week". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
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  15. ^ "An Inside Look at mountune's GRC Ford Duratec Engine!". 26 February 2015.
  16. ^ "FIA World Rallycross Championship Regulations". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
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  29. ^ "Garage".
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  32. ^ "Subaru shows new RX Supercar". Racecar Engineering. 31 March 2015.
  33. ^ "What is Rallycross?".
  34. ^ "FIA World Rallycross Championship: Glossary". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021.
  35. ^ "7 reasons why World Rallycross' RX2 cars are serious pieces of kit". Red Bull.
  36. ^ "WESMO COSWORTH Duratec 2.4 | Westermann GMBH Motorsport – official Partner of Caterham Cars, Cosworth and Brian James Trailers".
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  38. ^ "Supercar Lites – OMSE".
  39. ^ "Supercar Lites | RallyX".
  40. ^ "Categories".
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  43. ^ "FIA World Rallycross Moving Forward with All-Electric Series in 2022". 30 September 2021.
  44. ^ "The future starts here: 14-car grid to electrify World RX action in 2022". FIA World Rallycross Championship.
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  51. ^ Scammell, David (2 July 2015). "DiRT Rally partners with FIA World Rallycross Championship for World RX update". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 5 July 2015.

External links