As the cause of the fire at Lydden Hill remains unclear, the top class of the World Rallycross Championship will again not race in Belgium this weekend
The devastating fire that destroyed the cars of Sebastien Loeb and Guerlain Chicherit’s Special One team in the Lydden Hill paddock on 21 July has further consequences for the World Rallycross Championship (WRX).
After the rounds of the top class RX1e were already cancelled in Great Britain for safety reasons, this will also be the case next weekend (5/6 August) in Mettet, Belgium.
Thus, only the “second division” RX2e and the European Rallycross Championship will compete in Mettet. Nevertheless, some of the top stars will be in the mix in Belgium. Five-time world champion Johan Kristoffersson, his teammate Ole-Christian Veiby and brothers Timmy and Kevin Hansen will be competing in RX2e.
Action was at every corner at Lydden Hill! FIAWorldRX WorldRX pic.twitter.com/gqEi3KP5eM
– FIA World Rallycross Championship (@FIAWorldRX) July 30, 2023
“We decided to hold the event despite the absence of RX1 because we want to support our sport and in particular the rallycross category in the best possible way,” said Freddy Tacheny, chief executive of the local organiser. “Together with the FIA and the promoter, we will do our best to put on a great show.”
Spectators who have already bought tickets will receive a €20 voucher to be used for food and merchandise as compensation for the absence of the RX1e.
Whether the RX1e cars will be able to compete again at the next race weekend on 19 and 20 August at the Estering near Buxtehude is currently still open.
The fire had broken out in the Special One Racing team tent one and a half weeks ago before the start of the race weekend in Lydden Hill and had destroyed the two Lancia Delta as well as the equipment of the racing team. Team owner Chicherit subsequently declared that his team would no longer compete in WRX this season.