Story By: EXTREME E – SCOTLAND – Extreme E has revealed its course in Scotland for the Hydro X Prix, taking place inside the former opencast coal mine at Glenmuckloch this weekend (13-14 May).
The pioneering series’ return to the UK brings the 10 teams and 20 world class drivers face-to-face with the most challenging course by the championship to date.
The Hydro X Prix course features plenty of fast corners and narrow, technical sections, challenging the drivers to adapt their driving style over two races this weekend.
The terrain is that of the old coal mine as the course dives down into the quarry, meaning plenty of clay to stick to the tyres. The drivers will have to contend with ever decreasing grip – especially if there is some Scottish rain – as the course evolves and the clay is kicked up.
As the ODYSSEY 21s progress along the course, they will tackle corners aptly named after Scottish words. Creag, brae, gleann, and cnoc all feature in reference to the rocky hills, slopes, deep valley, and hill pastures that make up the Scotland course for the Hydro X Prix.
Tamara Molinaro, Extreme E Championship Driver, said: “This is probably one of the most extreme courses we have ever had. It will be quite a challenge because in some places it is quite narrow so it is hard to overtake, and the drivers will have to use their creativity to get those overtaking opportunities.
“There are changes in the levels of grip, because there is grass, slimy gravel, and more rocky sections, forcing the drivers to change style at short notice. The weather is also going to be something that the drivers must really take into consideration. A lot of elevation changes will make it even more interesting, and I can’t wait to see what the course delivers this weekend.”
Off the start line there is a wide section that leads into a sharp ninety-degree right turn, before the track narrows as the teams approach the rock face, the key feature of this course with tight lines being taken at high speeds.
It will be crucial to get a better start than your competitors as the narrow track stretches across the full extent of the rock face towards a ninety-degree left turn and up a steeply banked hill, where the cars will scrabble for purchase as they exit the mine.
At the top of the hill is another ninety-degree left into one of the fastest sections of the course, as the ODYSSEY 21s fly across the ridge. Here the terrain is similar, but more exposed to the elements, meaning the cars will slide as they continue to battle for position.
An overtaking opportunity sits directly before a narrow single car section, challenging the drivers to time their manoeuvres perfectly. Following this the drivers approach a downhill corner, where steep banking will help the drivers to hold a slide.
From there the ODYSSEY 21s charge towards the first jump of the course, designed to unsettle the cars as they land right at the point of needing to turn, presenting a new challenge for the Extreme E grid.
Another banked hill leads towards another single file section which brings the drivers into close quarters as they tussle for position.
The next ninety-degree turn takes the cars right and up a steep hill, where the terrain changes from the clay and rock, to grass and mud. This marks another challenge for the ODYSSEY 21s to contend with. As the drivers change their style to instantly adapt to the change in terrain, it will be hard to maintain a rhythm throughout the double-header.
Joining Tamara Molinaro as her fellow Championship Driver is Tommi Hallman, an up and coming Rallycross driver from Finland. Hallman most recently competed in Nitro RX NXT, where he was the overall winner in the 2022/23 season.
Previously, the Finn secured the 2022 Nitro Rallycross Championship NRX NEXT Europe series title, which followed up his RallyX Nordic Supercar Lites titles success in 2021. His stint as Championship Driver for the Hydro X Prix will mark his Extreme E debut and the first time he has got behind the wheel of the ODYSSEY 21.
The exciting racing action can be seen live on STV and ITV, in the UK from 1300-1500 BST, over both Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May. Outside of the UK, please visit here for broadcaster details.