Vauxhall will make its return to motorsport by fielding a manufacturing facility backed automobile in an all-electric rally championship subsequent yr.
The British model will enter the ADAC GSE Rally Cup and it’ll see aspiring Welsh rally star Ioan Lloyd pilot a Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally automobile.
Previously often known as the ADAC Opel Electrical Rally Cup, the ADAC GSE Rally Cup is a European competitors launched in 2021 solely for all-electric vehicles, with the brand new Mokka GSE Rally set to take over from the Corsa Rally Electrical.
Subsequent yr the season might be contested over seven rounds, all of which might be introduced earlier than the top of 2025.
The sequence goals to advertise younger expertise, with the championship winner promoted to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Staff. That is the place they will compete within the Junior European Rally Championship (ERC) aboard a Corsa Rally4.
The Mokka GSE Rally is the primary automobile at the moment being developed based on the FIA’s new eRally5 laws and with a peak output of 281 horsepower, it’s greater than twice as highly effective because the Corsa Rally Electrical (136hp). It’s anticipated to ship a efficiency on a par with the present two-wheel drive Rally4 equipment.
Ioan Lloyd, Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally
Ioan Lloyd, Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally
This might be Vauxhall’s first motorsport journey because it pulled its manufacturing facility help from the British Touring Automobile Championship on the finish of 2009. The automobile maker loved success all through the Nineteen Eighties, ‘90s and 2000s, profitable 9 producers’ crowns.
Vauxhall additionally constructed a popularity for fulfillment in rallying with the Chevette HS/R, which claimed the British Rally Championship title in 1979 within the palms of Pentti Airikkala.
The Nova and Astra fashions continued Vauxhall’s involvement in rallying by way of the Nineteen Eighties and ‘90s, with the Nova providing a platform for the likes of future world rally champion Colin McRae.
Vauxhall’s managing director Steve Catlin stated: “It’s a privilege to have the ability to announce Vauxhall’s return to its motorsport roots, to not point out representing a British entry with probably the most thrilling younger drivers in Ioan Lloyd.
“The ADAC GSE Rally Cup has confirmed the success of electrical motorsport, and subsequent season it’s going up a degree with the brand new Mokka GSE Rally.
“With many parts shared with the brand new Mokka GSE street automobile, Vauxhall clients can expertise exhilarating rally-inspired efficiency and dynamics of their every day driving when it arrives within the UK early subsequent yr.”
Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally
Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally
This can be a beneficial alternative for 23-year-old Lloyd who, in 2024 clinched the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup title with co-driver Sion Williams.
The success secured a prized drive within the European Rally Championship, the place he completed as runner-up within the 2025 Junior ERC class.
Lloyd stated: “Becoming a member of the ADAC GSE Rally Cup is an thrilling new problem for me and I’m actually wanting ahead to it.
“The all-new automobile brings a contemporary edge to the competitors because it’s sooner, extra highly effective, and might be unbelievable to drive, each for the drivers behind the wheel and for the followers watching.
“Vauxhall’s historical past in motorsport has helped create legends like Colin McRae, and I’m excited to hold that legacy ahead. I can’t watch for the brand new season to start and to see what the Mokka GSE Rally can do.”
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