Nitro Rallycross’ all-electric FC1-X has been shown in its completed form in public for the first time at this weekend’s event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Arizona.
The SUV-like vehicle – which will debut in its own standalone, one-make class next season – has been in development throughout this year.
Rallycross stalwart Olsbergs MSE and electromobility specialist QEV Technologies – collaborating under the ‘First Corner’ name – have been developing the car. It is a purpose-built new development for Nitro Rallycross.
The FC1-X is expected to be the fastest accelerating and most powerful rallycross car ever built, with an anticipated power figure equivalent to 1000bhp and a 0-60mph time of just 1.5 seconds. That’s a power increase of 66% and acceleration 0.5s quicker compared to current combustion-engined Supercars.
A number of established teams have already committed to running the car next year, with Vermont SportsCar (which operates the factory Subaru Supercar team), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Grönholm RX, Xite Energy Racing and Olsbergs MSE itself among the teams that have purchased an FC1-X so far.
Two other teams, one currently unknown and the other revealed only as Good Times Racing, are also known to have their own FC1-Xs too.
The FC1-X has been designed from the ground up specifically to tackle Nitro RX’s demanding circuits, so series pioneer Travis Pastrana doesn’t foresee it having the issues that have led to several expensive car repairs in the Supercar class in 2021.
“Definitely the goal with the electric car that’s coming in, that car is going to be built a lot tougher,” he told DirtFish. “It’s built more like an off-road truck.
“It’s got more like rally suspension than rallycross and that’s going to help us without a doubt.”
Electric shouldn't replace ICE in Nitro Rallycross
Although excitement is understandably high for the FC1-X's debut next year, Nitro Rallycross pioneer Travis Pastrana still sees value in the current Supercars competing
