Double RX2 Champion Cyril Raymond will make his Projekt E debut in the new Citroën C3 ERX at the World RX of Riga event next week, but Mads Østberg could appear on later rounds.
The Frenchman, who contested a full season of World RX in a GC Kompetition Renault Clio RS, will give the first R5 based car for the all-electric rallycross series its maiden competitive outing.
The car had been set to join the grid for the opening round of the series at Höljes last month, in the hands of World Rally Championship driver Østberg, before being forced to withdraw due to a logistics issue stopping parts being delivered in time.
Raymond said before the start of the season that he had been eyeing up a season in Euro RX or Projekt E and now feels his past form in single-make rallycross machinery will help him get up to speed in ERX.
“I’m delighted to join the Projekt E grid, especially at the wheel of a French car,” said Raymond.
“I’ve made my reputation in single-specification categories, being double RX2 Champion and I really believe that the Projekt E format suits my style completely.
“I’m convinced that electric rallycross will not only provide me with the opportunities I need to carry on in this sport, but will allow drivers to make a career out of racing in this discipline.”
Developed by Projekt E’s technical partner STARD, the C3 ERX will have significant support from Citroën Racing, something which Raymond is keen to make the most of.
“Citroën has an amazing history in global motorsport and it’s an honor to be able to give the new Citroën C3 ERX its first competitive outing,” Raymond added.
“I’d like to thank STARD, Citroën Racing and Manfred Stohl for the trust they’re putting in me to drive the car and I will put in maximum effort to do my best in Riga.”
As for Østberg’s future participation, the WRC2 driver said that he remains optimistic of taking part in the series, although exactly when is still unknown.
He told DirtFish: “As far as I’m told, I’ll do one of the other races. Which one, I don’t know yet [as] it seems like some races are [on] the same weekend as WRC events.
“So, we’re just trying to find the best option.”
Raymond will join round one competitors Natalie Barratt, Herman Neubauer and event winner Ken Block in Latvia for the second round of the season.
