The new owner of the Circuit
des Ducs says he is pulling out all the stops ahead of Essay’s return to the
FIA European Rallycross Championship this season, pointing to a ‘significant investment’
in the venue to ‘bring
it back to a standard it deserves’.
It was announced yesterday that the Normandy circuit
– which hosted France’s inaugural Euro RX event in 1978 – will rejoin the international stage this year for the first time since 2011, as it raises
the curtain on the 2024 RX2e, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 campaigns on 8-9
June.
Essay’s layout and location have made it a
popular test track for French and international teams over the years, while
producing exciting racing in its unique, intimate amphitheatre-like setting. Having recently entered new ownership,
all of its facilities are currently undergoing a substantial overhaul to bring them
up to the required level.
“I have been totally captivated by this wonderful
circuit since taking it over last year,” commented Circuit des Ducs owner, Howard MacPherson. “When I arrived for the first time for
a test day I immediately fell in love with the venue, and we are making a
significant investment to bring it back to a standard it deserves.
“The Circuit des Ducs is a big part of the
community in Essay. It has a massive history in French and international
rallycross and it’s a huge vote of confidence that we are hosting the European
Championship in our first season of running the venue.
“I must say a big thanks to the promoter for
having faith in us, the local community in Essay who have welcomed us with open
arms and the ASA des Ducs club that is such an integral part of events
happening at this venue. We are so excited for the future – first with 2024,
and then beyond.”
Following the Essay season-opener, the
five-round Euro RX schedule will continue with World Championship-supporting events
at Höljes in Sweden (6-7 July), Nyirád in Hungary (27-28 July), Mettet in
Belgium (17-18 August) and Montalegre in Portugal (7-8 September).
Finland
Italy
Hungary