The 2025 World Rallycross Championship burst again onto the observe this week, as groups and drivers descended on the utterly redesigned Circuito Automóvel de Lousada for 2 days of full-throttle pre-season testing.
Following a complete redesign and reconstruction, the long-lasting Lousada circuit has been reworked into a contemporary Rallycross battleground. The brand new structure options technical gravel sections, tight asphalt corners, and aggressive banked corners, all designed to push automobiles and drivers to their limits.
Representing World RX, Euro RX1, and Euro RX3, groups introduced their freshly prepped 2025 machines to place them by means of their paces on the revitalised circuit. Throughout all three classes, the check gave groups a invaluable alternative to shake down their 2025 automobiles in real-world situations and fine-tune setups forward of subsequent week’s season opener. Drivers rapidly received to grips with the brand new structure, exploring its limits and adapting to the evolving floor because the check progressed. The combination of high-speed sections, technical corners, and shifting grip ranges supplied a real check of the competitors to be anticipated subsequent weekend.
The check additionally marked the aggressive debut of Hoosier’s all-new comfortable compound tyre, developed with insights from the 2024 season. This newest compound gives drivers unprecedented grip ranges, giving them the boldness to push tougher in every begin, nook and gravel part than ever earlier than.
Rallycross contains a distinctive and progressive multi-powertrain format, giving groups the liberty to compete with both electrical automobiles (EVs) or sustainably fuelled inside combustion engine (ICE) automobiles. To keep up truthful and balanced competitors between these two very completely different applied sciences, the FIA runs the Equivalence of Know-how (EOT) check, with Lousada enjoying host for 2025.
As a part of the method, Rallycross legend Andreas Bakkerud took to the observe to set benchmark laps in a impartial check automotive, earlier than leaping into every group’s car to measure efficiency towards the usual. The information gathered will inform technical changes, akin to including or eradicating weight ballast, to make sure that when the championship lights go inexperienced subsequent weekend, all automobiles are racing on equal phrases.
FIA Street Sport Director Emilia Abel said: “The check at Lousada has been implausible. It’s extremely thrilling to see World RX again and operating at full throttle. With a 37-car entry listing throughout all classes for subsequent week’s race, we’re anticipating a spectacular season opener. The EOT course of has delivered invaluable insights, and we’ll implement any crucial modifications to ensure truthful racing throughout all powertrains.”
Reigning World RX Champion Johan Kristoffersson added: “It’s so good to be again behind the wheel. The organisers have executed an incredible job right here, Lousada seems gorgeous! The final time I used to be right here was again in 2016, and the observe has utterly reworked. It’s extra technical now, particularly with the brand new gravel part. It’s an actual problem, however a enjoyable one, I can’t watch for race weekend!”
Hansen Motorsport’s Kevin Hansen commented: “The observe is good. We noticed throughout final week’s WRC occasion simply how passionate the followers are right here; I feel the environment subsequent weekend goes to be completely electrical. The brand new observe is a thrill to drive, the grip stage is excessive, the floor evolves rapidly, and the brand new gravel part actually develops because the automobiles go round.”
CE Supplier Staff’s Klara Andersson mentioned: “I’m tremendous exited to be right here for 2025, Lousada is such a cool venue. The long-banked nook is unbelievable to drive and with the way it modifications by means of the race, it’s positive to make every lap completely completely different. The group have ready an excellent bundle for this season and I’m tremendous excited to see what we are able to do!”
With testing wrapped up and EOT information now below FIA evaluation, the highlight turns to the 2025 World Rallycross season opener, and it’s shaping as much as be a robust begin to the season. A 37-car grid will line up subsequent week, with 9 entries every in World RX and Euro RX1, and a stacked Euro RX3 class boasting 19 entries.
The motion kicks off on Thursday twenty ninth Could with a fan occasion in Lousada Outdated City, the place spectators can meet the celebs of Rallycross within the coronary heart of the town at a particular autograph session. Follow then kicks off on the circuit from Friday thirtieth Could, constructing to the principle occasion on Sunday 1st June.
With grandstands anticipated to be packed and power ranges sky-high, this shall be a race weekend to recollect. To make certain you don’t miss out followers can get their tickets right here.
