Lancia to make World Rallycross debut… sort of

The headline alone is enough to get us going. And no, it’s not one of those dodgy rebadged Chryslers that tried to pass off as Lancias. Instead this is a far more formidable machine – a Delta, no less, just not quite how you remember it. This new programme is the brainchild of WRX veteran Guerlain Chicherit and is based around the new creation by his GCK Performance concern, the Lancia Delta Evo-e RX. If you hadn’t already guessed by the name, it’s an all-electric machine capable of producing 680bhp and going from 0-60mph in 1.8sec, but it’s also built within an original Delta shell, which means it really looks the part.

Oh, and just to top it all off, Chicherit has persuaded nine-time World Rally champion Sébastien Loeb to drive it. The 49-year-old will make his WRX return after a five-year absence, having been part of Peugeot Sport’s programme between 2016-2018.

“I’m from a generation that was brought up seeing wins by Lancia Delta in rallying, so naturally I have a weakness for the car,” said Loeb. “I tried it last December and was won over. I have great faith in this project.”

Chicherit added: “It’s a chance to make history, becoming the first to have a retrofitted car win a world championship race.”

GCK’s partner team, Special One Racing, has committed to running at least two of the Evo-e RX designs in the championship for the next three years. The season begins in Portugal on June 3-4 and UK fans can catch the cars in action at Lydden Hill on July 22-23.