Nitro Rallycross 2022-2023

[MissClarrpz]

Wow what a weekend that was. I didn't go in with much expectation and I was blown away. The Group E are amazing to watch, especially on Sunday. I enjoyed it much more than the Battles. It was so great to see so many people in the paddock, not the normal British RX crowd either. Hopefully some will come watch more races in the future. Despite teething issues for these brand new cars the racing was great all weekend. Massive shame Travis took out Meeke in the final, it would have been really good to see Meeke, Larsson, Bakkerud and Pastrana battle it out.

RX Cartel looked great all weekend. Having 4 cars with 4 completely different drivers makes a huge difference in terms of learning the new car. More cars will come before the end of the year. 2 mostly complete cars were at Lydden including a GRX car. 2 more are being built as well. Xite or VSC might buy a 3rd. I hope so as Meeke is so quick and deserves a full season.

The boost wasn't really highlighted this weekend but it's a major strategic part of each race. Drivers can use either 50Kw (~70hp) for 30 seconds or 150Kw (~200hp) for 10 seconds each race. That's why on the run to turn 1 some cars would drop back then pull ahead again. Hopefully graphics will be made for this as it will affect the races massively.

Megennis in NEXT was quick but so reckless, I think the Hansen mentality has rubbed off on him. He took out at least 3 cars. Glad to see Olofsson come back from the roll. He only had 1 working brake in the Rd1 semi, if he hadn't started he wouldn't be allowed in the final so the team just taped the car together and sent him out. And the suspension was broke all day but they didn't realise until the evening.

Crosscar was mega as well. Can't wait for that to grow in the UK. I'll wait to see how many race in BTRDA. I'm guessing about 5 but everyone is realising what a great class it is and next year it should be bigger than RX150. They cost like £20k but running costs are low and spares should be easy to come by. Hoping Rooke is one of those "big" names, especially as he'll drive one at the Motorsport Games

Supercar was kind of ignored for obvious reasons. At least the top 2 were close. McConnell and Belevskiy are doing all the European rounds, hopefully there are more locals at each event and that they can more easily challenge. British RX is a good national series but can't touch top Euro/World cars.

[SnoodyMcFlude]

Originally Posted by MissClarrpz

Megennis in NEXT was quick but so reckless, I think the Hansen mentality has rubbed off on him. He took out at least 3 cars.

I was really not impressed with his aggression, it seems he's just over the line in terms of what I feel is acceptable. I did find myself wondering if it was a Hansen influence as I view Kevin in much the same way

[tbtstt]

Went away on holiday shortly after the Nitro weekend, so only just got around to uploading some pictures now I am back!

Few favourites...













...and a lot more here:

Flickr - Nitro Rallycross 2022-2023 Round 1

If you want to see more!

[SnoodyMcFlude]

Seems like it's not too safe being a Nitro RX driver, first Eriksson with however he broke his leg (saw him on crutches around the paddock looking sorry for himself), now Larsson has nearly cut his head off with an angle grinder.

https://www.instagram.com/robinlarsson4/?hl=en

[SnoodyMcFlude]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Went away on holiday shortly after the Nitro weekend, so only just got around to uploading some pictures now I am back!

Few favourites...

Some great shots there, especially the panning ones of the jump...almost makes me want to start taking bad photos again, but then I remember how bad I am at pictures and how I prefer watching anyway

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by SnoodyMcFlude

Some great shots there, especially the panning ones of the jump...almost makes me want to start taking bad photos again, but then I remember how bad I am at pictures and how I prefer watching anyway

The jump is pretty well positioned for getting shots from the spectator area, not sure the 5 Nations drivers will get quite as much air off it, but looking forward to seeing them tackle the new layout later in the year.

[tbtstt]

Entry list for Sweden doing the rounds on social media. Can't seem to link it, but saying:

11 Group E
10 Crosscar
9 NEXT
5 Supercar (including Per Eklund!)

Must have finished nailing another FC1-X together since Lydden?

Good to see those numbers in Crosscar and NEXT again (I thought both were entertaining at Lydden), but disappointing Supercar numbers again. Really hoped they might attract more local interest.

[MissClarrpz]

Nice to see 1 more Group E. Supercar obviously numbers still disappointing but I think them having a double header will help and it looks like it will be closer racing.

Nordic had good racing so hopefully the track extensions help that rather than just looking cool.

[NaBUru38]

It's Johan Kristoffersson



https://dirtfish.com/rallycross/nitr...itro-rx-debut/

[SnoodyMcFlude]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Must have finished nailing another FC1-X together since Lydden?

I believe there were two spares hanging about at Lydden, each with a sheet of paper on the dash, one saying 12 and one 13...although I think one car was lacking a rear wing and a bit of the electric gubbins.

Shame entries are still quite low, I worry that crosscar is going to take a hit when the season moves away from Europe...although hopefully we'll see Arpin, Speed and a few others join Supercar

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by SnoodyMcFlude

I believe there were two spares hanging about at Lydden, each with a sheet of paper on the dash, one saying 12 and one 13...although I think one car was lacking a rear wing and a bit of the electric gubbins.

Must confess I didn't notice the paper with the numbers on the dash, but I did see those "spare" car at Lydden. The car I had a proper nose around certainly looked like it was well on the way.

I am not normally a fan of single driver dominance, but I want to see JK prove himself and decimate everyone this weekend!

[MissClarrpz]

Originally Posted by SnoodyMcFlude

Shame entries are still quite low, I worry that crosscar is going to take a hit when the season moves away from Europe...although hopefully we'll see Arpin, Speed and a few others join Supercar

Crosscar is only for European rounds (though I heard they are trying to have them in Saudi). SXS will race alongside all NA rounds after supporting a few events last year. Usually had 10-12 car grids. Good addition as Supercar and Lites have 4 rounds each in NA out of 6, neither at ERX and each skips a Canadian (Ice) round.

Really hoping Supercar is better stateside but it will happen only if cars are imported again. 4 Subaru's and maybe Arpin's Hyundai, though I think McConnell is racing that currently.

[SnoodyMcFlude]

Ah, that makes sense although I much prefer Crosscar to SXS.

Sounds like Fraz isn't doing Supercar beyond the Euro rounds so guess that'll go back to Arpin and Travis is going to be back in the Subaru. But actually it was Group E which was more interesting than Supercar, some of the racing was pretty decent and an exciting final too.

[NaBUru38]

I really like these Group E races.

[tbtstt]

Anyone watch the Minnesota round last weekend? Several pretty big incidents, though good to see the drivers walking away unscathed from each incident.

Surprised that the FC1-X didn't look more composed on that circuit though, expected it to be much better suited to that sort of circuit than the Supercars were last year. Wonder if the CoG on the FC1-X is a bit high as, once they start to lean, they seem to roll pretty easily?

[NaBUru38]

I have been very busy, and didn't watch a single highlights video.

[SnoodyMcFlude]

Some good racing but downright dangerous, Kevin had some very strong words about the tyres and the SXS cars.

I think the problem was less the car and more the track, those banks are just launchpads. I think bigger issue is the overuse of concrete barriers in fast areas where the cars are airborne, it was extremely lucky that neither Fraz or Andreas landed upside down on one. Also concerning that Bakkerud said he couldn't get the belts undone, makes me wonder what worst case could've been if Fraser hadn't ended wheels up.

And beyond all that, just some crazy positions for marshals and vehicles to be parked, right in the firing line on the outside of corners and with very little protection.

[NaBUru38]

Last weekend they raced at Wild Horse Pass.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebNtv5unTG4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFZm8bVM5ec

[NaBUru38]

Trois-Rivières is in two weeks.

[NaBUru38]

Trois-Rivières is this weekend!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Trois-Rivières is this weekend!

I'll no doubt tune in to it. I haven't seen an entry list, but I assume there are no big surprises?

[MissClarrpz]

Only 9 cars for Group E. Should be 3 different local support categories but not sure if they'll be coverage of them

[NaBUru38]

Nice drifts, though few overtakes.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Nice drifts, though few overtakes.

Didn't watch the full program, but caught most of the Group E races on Sunday.

Definitely looked pretty spectacular but, as you say, not a huge amount of passing. Awful driving from Pastrana in the final (though, credit where it is due, Travis has posted a pretty sincere sounding apology post-race), but a clean 1-2 for Oliver and Kevin Eriksson.

Not sure if it is just me, but the website (and their social media) is awful. Was trying to figure out what the Championship standings are before the last race weekend, but it isn't anywhere near as clear as I think it should be.

Curious to know when we are going to see some details for the 2023-2024 season.

[NaBUru38]

I think that the track was too narrow. I've seen more overtakes at other tracks.