At the hands of Monster Energy athlete Guerlain Chicherit, a Renault Mégane IV will enter the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX).
With the help of UK-based motorsport and technology business, Prodrive, a recent partnership with Chicherit's own team - GCK - has seen the developed an all-new rallycross car, to be piloted by the Frenchman. The former Free Skiing World Champion, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup winner, Dakar driver and World Record-breaking stunt driver has made no secret of his passion for racing in World Rallycross, and whilst entering select races in 2015 and 2016, decided to build team GCK, to enter the 2018 season.
The new Supercar WRX will be based on the Renault Mégane IV and will be designed from the ground up by Prodrive to the latest World RX regulations. The British company will design the entire car at its headquarters in Banbury, including developing a bespoke two-litre turbocharged engine. The new Renault Mégane RX will be unveiled at the 2017 World Rallycross round in Lohéac, France, on 1 September 2017.
Chicherit will continue to use the 2017 season to enter select rounds and begin testing of the Mégane RX in autumn 2017, ready for the 2018 season start.
While best known for rallying and circuit racing, Prodrive has recent rallycross experience having developed the MINI WRX in 2013 to compete in the Global Rallycross Championship (GRC), where it won on its debut at X Games Munich. Prodrive also develops its own engines in house and has previous experience of creating bespoke, non-production based motorsport powertrains.
David Richards, Prodrive chairman said: “It has long been an ambition of ours to compete in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. It is the fastest growing motorsport series in the world and gives us the opportunity to use all our engineering experience to create a car capable of winning the World title. Guerlain is obviously a very talented driver and we look forward to working with him and developing a race car that both he and Renault will be proud of.”
Guerlain Chicherit added: “I’m so stoked to be working with the guys from Prodrive to build what has been my dream for a long time. I know that with the right team and the support we have, we’ll be able to produce a car that will really make an impact in the paddock. I absolutely trust Prodrive to build the best car and I’m excited to bring my brand and partners to the Championship in 2018.”
Paul Bellamy, World RX managing director for IMG, commented: “It is extremely encouraging to hear that Guerlain will be entering his own team into the FIA World Rallycross Championship using Prodrive’s years of expert knowledge and experience to design the new MeganeRX. Guerlain is an extremely experienced athlete and we look forward to welcoming him and his new team to our sport full-time from next year.”