Sky high

Britain’s hallowed Silverstone will play host this weekend to the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the first time, with a new 0.972 kilometre track made up of of 40 percent tarmac and 60 percent gravel created especially for the World Rallycross Championship. 

Situated between the Formula 1 paddock and the famous Hangar Straight, the new section of track will see teams from all over the world tackle the largest and most difficult jump of the season, a massive 22 metre monster that could decide the ultimate outcome of the weekend.

“The corners are not so exciting,” says Mattias Ekström of the British layout, “but the artificial jump is the biggest and most difficult of the year.” 

Normally jumps are taken at full throttle in rallycross. In this case the driver must regulate the speed well so as not to ‘get too much air’. 

“It’s extremely difficult to adjust the speed correctly for the jump,” says the 2016 World Champion.

Earlier in the year, Ekström set the fastest time at the wheel of the his Audi S1 EKS RX quattro during the official pre-season tests at Silverstone while new teammate Andreas Bakkerud also performed well on the new track at the test. 

“I’ve already driven there in a national rallycross race as well and have a good feeling,” says the Norwegian. “After having narrowly missed the podium on several occasions at the recent events it’s high time to spray champagne again. It’s crystal clear that we aim to strike back in Silverstone!” 

The British World Rallycross Championship round is a part of the newly created motorsport festival "Speedmachine". The event provides spectators pure racing for three days and other attractions including concerts, drift shows, demonstration laps, exhibitions of historic race cars, an E-Sport event and a street food festival.