The return of the World Rallycross Championship (WRX) to the UK’s Lydden Hill circuit was marred by a tragic incident before it even got underway. On Friday morning, a fire broke out in the team tent of the Special One racing team, for which nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and Guerlain Chicherit drive.
The team’s two Lancia Delta Evo-e RX were completely destroyed, making it unthinkable for Loeb and Chicherit to start at the event on the traditional British track.
An official statement from the series organization reads: “A fire broke out in the area of the Special One Racing team this morning before the World Rallycross Championship race in Lydden Hill. The fire brigade is on site”.
Cause of the fire still unclear
“The venue is closed to the public today and no injuries have been reported. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide further information.”
Videos posted to Twitter (playable only after login) show the team’s two cars and a truck bursting into flames. Other shots show a thick plume of black smoke over the area. Strong winds also fueled the fire.
According to information from the ‘KentLive’ portal, the fire broke out around 8:45 a.m. local time (9:45 a.m. CEST). A total of nine fire engines were involved in the extinguishing work. As a precaution, residents near the race track were asked to keep windows and doors closed. In addition, drivers on the nearby A2 motorway were warned of possible visibility impairments caused by smoke.
Memories of fire at MotoE
Electric cars will be used in the World Rallycross Championship from 2022. These are standard chassis and drives over which a silhouette body is placed. WRC record champion Loeb has been driving for the team of former extreme skier Chicherit since this year. However, after three out of ten rounds of the 2023 season, Loeb is only eighth in the championship, in which two-time DTM champion Timo Scheider also competes for Rene Münnich’s team.
The Lydden Hill incident is not the first major fire involving electric powered racing cars. In March 2019, a fire in the paddock of the Jerez circuit destroyed the entire fleet of the then new MotoE. The cause of the fire was a short circuit.