Red Bull Global Rallycross is adding an all-electric class of racing for the 2018 season, the series announced earlier this week.
Electric vehicles will be added to Red Bull GRC race weekends as a distinct, standalone series, joining the Supercar and GRC Lites classes in the series’ race program. Red Bull GRC, in conjunction with USAC (United States Auto Club), will serve as the governing body for the new series.
“Red Bull Global Rallycross is pleased to add to our rallycross platform an electric series,” said Red Bull GRC CEO Colin Dyne. “The 2018 season will be a landmark year for us as we welcome electric vehicles to the grid for the first time. The electric car is one of the hottest topics in the automotive industry, and manufacturers across the globe have recognized its immense potential. We want to embrace this technology by welcoming it into our series as we continue to grow and expand.
Having just wrapped up its sixth season, Red Bull GRC has consistently been responsible for major announcements that have accelerated the growth of the sport of rallycross. The Supercar class now features four manufacturer partners: Ford, Subaru, Honda, and Volkswagen. In 2015, Red Bull GRC also became the first racing series to compete on an active United States military installation.
The series hasn’t yet announced any drivers or manufacturers for the new EV class. Further details on Red Bull GRC’s upcoming electric class will be released in the coming year.
Professional racing leagues are rapidly turning to electric vehicles: the FIA started the all-electric Formula E series in 2014; there’s the upcoming Electric GT World Series, which will use the Tesla Model S sedan. Electric motorcycles have competed around the world for a few years now, and EVs have even started beating out gasoline-powered cars at the annual Pikes Peak hill climb.
