Story By: EXTREME E – LONDON, UK – Extreme E’s floating centrepiece, the St. Helena, has today dropped anchor in Scotland for off-loading in preparation for the series’ much-anticipated return to the UK for the Hydro X Prix next month.
The championship’s floating centrepiece has docked in Greenock to unload the freight and Extreme E ODYSSEY 21s on board as preparations and anticipation grows for the series’ debut in Scotland on May 13-14. She will then be based in Troon throughout the build up to and duration of the Hydro X Prix.
The series’ equipment departed Saudi Arabia following March’s Desert X Prix double-header in NEOM. Passing through the Suez Canal, Egypt, the St. Helena has travelled across the Mediterranean, stopping in Algeciras, Spain, before the final leg to Scotland.
Amongst the all-important cargo to be unloaded, including the fleet of ODYSSEY 21 electric race cars; plus all the race freight which includes the temporary structure based paddock of team garages, Continental tyres, and all operational equipment required to set up the race site in former Scottish opencast coal mine at Glenmuckloch.
Alejandro Agag, CEO and Founder of Extreme E, said: “It’s fantastic to see the St. Helena’s safe arrival in Scotland, which marks a huge milestone in our preparations for Extreme E’s next round – the Hydro X Prix.
“The UK is where Extreme E’s global voyage began and although we are an international championship it is always important to return to our roots. Racing in Scotland is going to be unique experience with a backdrop and setting like no other so far in the championship.
“It is going to be an incredible event – with a breathtaking landscape behind some of the fastest drivers in the world battling it out wheel-to-wheel, as well as telling the story of how climate change, and solutions to combat the crisis such as the transformation of this former opencast coal mine into an important source of renewable energy, can be right on our doorstep.”
The repurposing of the St. Helena has been a huge project for Extreme E. Since her purchase in 2018, she has had a complete internal refit. In addition to building a science laboratory, there are 62 cabins on board which can sleep up to 165 people, two lounges, an 80-seater restaurant, a 100-seater exterior deck, an 80-seater presentation area plus capacity to carry 90 20-foot shipping containers.
The ship uses low-energy LED lights, has low-water consumption bathroom fittings and chairs made from recycled plastic bottles, collected from the Mediterranean. There is also a hydroponic system on board in the kitchens which enables the Chef to grow the ship’s own herbs and garnishes.
As for the action on course, the Championship first raced in the UK during its maiden season in 2021, tackling a formidable course located in the British Ministry of Defence Base, at Bovington in Dorset. Now the Hydro X Prix in Scotland offers an exciting return home for the sport for purpose series, as it delivers its third season.
Racing in Dumfries and Galloway will create the exciting opportunity to highlight climate issues and solutions that are not just global, but also right on our doorstep. The racetrack lends into this aim, as it is located in the restored former opencast coal mine, which is about to undergo the next phase of its major transformation into a Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) plant and wind farm.
Moreover, only 18 months ago world leaders met in Glasgow for COP26, aiming to secure global net zero by the middle of this century. As an off-road rally series which focuses on the promotion of electric vehicles and clean energy innovations, the old mine is the perfect natural amphitheatre to showcase the necessary industry transition to move from fossil fuels to clean energy futures. It will also impactfully act as an example of the important role water can play in future renewables and healthy conservation.
The Hydro X Prix is the second round of Extreme E Season 3. The championship is joint-led for the first time by Veloce Racing and ACCIONA Sainz XE Team, who both secured their maiden wins during the Desert X Prix.
With 46 points, Veloce Racing and ACCIONA Sainz XE hold the lead over nearest rivals Rosberg X Racing, who sit in third on 31 points, followed by X44 Vida Carbon Racing (23 points) and Chip Ganassi (15 points) in fourth and fifth, respectively.
The racing action will be best viewed live on STV and ITV, in the UK, over both Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May to enable the best views.