After 5 months, the 2024 Excessive E season will resume at Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland with the Hydro X Prix. Though the course, positioned on the website of the previous Glenmuckloch coal mine, is comparatively the identical because it was final yr, some modifications have been made.
The observe is barely longer at 2.7 kilometres, edging out the two.67 km of 2023 that made it the shortest course in sequence historical past. The general design is usually related, starting with the beginning location that may take groups right into a righthand flip and uphill. From there, nevertheless, it deviates from 2023 with elevation modifications and principally grassy terrain.
Jumps are positioned alongside the second half of the course, together with a sequence that goes over a river channel. A lap ends with a drop again into the mine.
“I feel it’s going to be a really enjoyable observe for the drivers,” stated Championship Driver Tamara Molinaro, who’s working alongside Tommi Hallman as reserves and check drivers for the weekend. “The changeable climate in Scotland is certainly going so as to add a distinct dynamic this weekend and that ought to make it very fascinating. There are completely different terrains, together with grass, so there are sections which may get fairly muddy in the course of the Hydro X Prix and the drivers should be cautious of constructing errors in these circumstances when pushing onerous.
“The bounce sections will likely be actually thrilling behind the wheel and general, I feel it’s a nice format. It’s important to nail the opening corners, in any other case you may be compromised all the best way up the steep climb into the grassy part of the course. You actually should concentrate on placing a robust lap collectively. After heading uphill, you’re instantly right into a technical a part of the course and likewise nonetheless climbing. There’s a lot to get proper on a number of terrains and will likely be essential to general lap time.
“It’s so vital when pushing to be targeted, as a result of braking a centimetre too late could be pricey. We’ve seen that in Excessive E wherever could be an overtaking chance and I don’t see that altering this weekend. We’ve wonderful drivers on this sequence and I’m certain they are going to be creating alternatives wherever potential.”
X44 and Veloce Racing are the defending winners, although the previous has since shut down. The Hydro X Prix is the second spherical of 2024.
