► New EV racing series announced
► Road car-based electric motorsport
► First details of new sport revealed
A new all-electric racing series is around the corner, named SuperCharge, with a planned launch in 2022.
The organisers say the all-new racing series ‘heralds a new take on environmental and financially sustainable motorsport’ and uses crossover road car-based racing vehicles. Those involved with the project also say that the new series will appeal to all ages (with more of a focus on younger audiences) and has been created with consultation with some car makers. It’s pursuing FIA approval.
While Extreme-E pioneers the future of off-road racing, SuperCharge will be based on urban circuits with rallycross-like track layouts complete with obstacles and elements that increase the amount of jeopardy; namely a ‘SuperLoop’, which acts like a Joker lap, a jump and a water gantry to furnish the small 1km circuits with a low-grip zone. The new series aims to go global with eight events.
As for the cars, SuperCharge has shown images of its racer, codenamed SC01. The front-end design is similar to that of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but with wild racing car paraphernalia. Peak power of 500kW (671bhp) and 0-62mph sprints dealt with in just 2.5 seconds are some of the claimed performance figures. All of the cars will be the same underneath, but SuperCharge organisers say the bodywork will change to represent real EVs on sale. Driver aids are outlawed, with racing teams only allowed to tweak the suspension and make adjustments to the differential.
Racing driver, Top Gear USA presenter and motorsport commentator, Tanner Foust, said ‘At a time when the automotive enthusiast world is so strong, and yet the manufacturer involvement in traditional motorsport is weakening, we really need an environmentally and financially sustainable, technologically relevant racing series like SuperCharge to reinvigorate motorsport at its core.’
We’ll inevitably find out more as the series gears up for its first season in 2022.
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