SuperCharge: new racing series with electric SUVs

A new racing series has been created: SuperCharge. The new racing spectacle, involving driving electric SUVs, should start from 2022.

Electric crossovers and SUVs are currently mainly cars with which major manufacturers (hope to) achieve enormous sales numbers. These have little or nothing to do with motorsport. However, that is about to change, if it is up to SuperCharge. A new racing class is being created under that name. In short, the idea is that electric crossovers will race against each other on short, challenging circuits in cities.

It should be the second major international electric racing series after Formula E. Car manufacturers can participate and there are already interested parties, according to SuperCharge. They will receive a basic car (still depicted here in concept form) and can adjust it to their own taste. That is to say: they can place their own recognizable carriage on it. The technical basis remains largely the same for everyone. The cars have 681 electric horsepower and must be able to shoot to 100 km / h in 2.5 seconds. Manufacturers are allowed to tinker to a certain extent on the energy management of the cars, which means that a distinctive element is also possible in terms of performance.

The concept is somewhat reminiscent of Formula E, but the intended form of racing is a bit more like rallycross. On short circuits of roughly one kilometer, the drivers not only encounter curves, but also a 2.5 meter high ramp, a water trough and a ‘super run’. The latter is a kind of diversion or cut-off on the circuit, with which drivers can take a different – and if all goes faster – route once. There are 15 races per event of a maximum of six laps per race. 16 cars are allowed to participate. The intention is to build the (temporary) circuits in major cities in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and America.

Organization

The main person behind SuperCharge is Rob Armstrong. He previously worked for the Jaguar and Stewart Formula 1 teams and as head of the Independent Motorsports Group was responsible for rallycross championships, among other things. Former racing driver, Le Mans winner and former Sauber F1 team principal Max Welti is his right-hand man. He will probably have the biggest finger in the pie when it comes to shaping the new racing series. Well-known American driver Tanner Foust is also involved in the project as one of the consultants of modern racing. SuperCharge must therefore start in 2022. We are curious which brands and drivers will participate.

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