Rallycross Championship Kicks Off in 2025 at Lousada: High-Octane Racing Begins!
The 2025 World Rallycross Championship roared back onto the racing scene this week, with teams and drivers flocking to the newly overhauled Circuito Automóvel de Lousada for a pair of high-octane pre-season testing days. Following a sweeping renovation, the iconic Lousada circuit has been metamorphosed into a cutting-edge Rallycross battlefield, complete with technical gravel sections, tight asphalt curves, and aggressive banked bends designed to drive vehicles and drivers to their utter limits.Representing World RX, Euro RX1, and Euro RX3, teams rolled out their freshly prepped 2025 machines to put them through their paces on the revived circuit. Over the two-day test, teams seized the opportunity to fine-tune their 2025 cars in real-world conditions and shake down any remaining issues, all geared towards next week's season opener. Adaptable drivers quickly mastered the new layout, pushing the boundaries and adapting to the evolving surface as the test progressed. The combination of high-speed segments, technical turns, and unpredictable grip levels presented a true litmus test for the competition to come.
In addition to the normal testing activities, the test marked the competitive debut of Hoosier's all-new soft compound tire. Developed using insights gained from the 2024 season, this latest compound promises drivers unprecedented grip levels, giving them the confidence to push harder in every start, corner, and gravel section than ever before. Fueling this innovative event, the World Rallycross competition features a unique multi-powertrain format, allowing teams to compete with either electric vehicles (EVs) or sustainably powered internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. To maintain a fair and balanced competition between these very different technologies, the platform administers the Equivalence of Technology (EOT) test, with Lousada serving as the venue for 2025.
As part of the EOT process, Rallycross legend Andreas Bakkerud took to the track in a neutral test car to set benchmark laps. Following this, Bakkerud climbed into each team's vehicle to measure performance against the standard. The data collected will inform technical adjustments such as adding or removing weight ballast to ensure that when the championship goes green next weekend, all cars are racing on even terms.
Emilia Abel, Road Sport Director of the platform, expressed her excitement about the testing at Lousada: "The test has been remarkable. It's so thrilling to see World RX back and running at full throttle. With a 37-car entry list across all categories for next week's race, we're anticipating a breathtaking season opener. The EOT process has yielded valuable insights, and we'll put any necessary adjustments into effect to ensure fair racing across all powertrains."
Reigning World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson echoed Abel's sentiment: "It's fantastic to be back in the driver's seat. The organizers have done an exceptional job here, Lousada looks amazing! The last time I raced here was back in 2016, and the track has undergone a tremendous transformation. It's more technical now, especially with the new gravel section. It's a genuine challenge, but an enjoyable one; I can't wait for the race weekend!"
Several other drivers expressed their excitement for the upcoming race, including Kevin Hansen from Hansen Motorsport, Klara Andersson from CE Dealer Team, and other notable Rallycross competitors. With testing wrapped up and EOT data now under review, the spotlight turns to the 2025 World Rallycross season opener, promising a strong start to the season.
The action unfolds on Thursday, May 29th, with a fan event in Lousada Old Town, offering spectators the chance to meet and greet the drivers in the heart of the city at a special autograph session. Practice then commences at the circuit from Friday, May 30th, culminating in the main event on Sunday, June 1st. With attendance expected to be massive and energy levels sky-high, this race weekend promises to be one for the history books. Fans can secure their tickets online.
Sports enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the auto-racing spectacle taking place at the Circuito Automóvel de Lousada, where the World Rallycross Grand-Prix will commence on May 30th. The high-stakes racing event will feature premier motorsport athletes, such as the reigning World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson, battling it out using a unique multi-powertrain format, including electric vehicles and sustainable internal combustion engine cars.
