After 5 months, the 2024 Excessive E season will resume at Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland with the Hydro X Prix. Though the course, situated on the web site of the previous Glenmuckloch coal mine, is comparatively the identical because it was final 12 months, some adjustments have been made.
The observe is barely longer at 2.7 kilometres, edging out the two.67 km of 2023 that made it the shortest course in collection historical past. The general design is generally comparable, starting with the beginning location that may take groups right into a righthand flip and uphill. From there, nonetheless, it deviates from 2023 with elevation adjustments and principally grassy terrain.
Jumps are situated alongside the second half of the course, together with a collection that goes over a river channel. A lap ends with a drop again into the mine.
“I feel it’ll be a really enjoyable observe for the drivers,” mentioned Championship Driver Tamara Molinaro, who’s working alongside Tommi Hallman as reserves and check drivers for the weekend. “The changeable climate in Scotland is certainly going so as to add a distinct dynamic this weekend and that ought to make it very attention-grabbing. There are completely different terrains, together with grass, so there are sections which might get fairly muddy throughout the Hydro X Prix and the drivers should be cautious of constructing errors in these circumstances when pushing arduous.
“The bounce sections can be actually thrilling behind the wheel and total, I feel it’s a nice format. You must nail the opening corners, in any other case you may be compromised all the way in which up the steep climb into the grassy part of the course. You actually must deal with placing a robust lap collectively. After heading uphill, you’re instantly right into a technical a part of the course and likewise nonetheless climbing. There’s a lot to get proper on a number of terrains and can be essential to total lap time.
“It’s so necessary when pushing to be centered, as a result of braking a centimetre too late could be expensive. We’ve seen that in Excessive E wherever could be an overtaking chance and I don’t see that altering this weekend. We’ve wonderful drivers on this collection and I’m certain they are going to be creating alternatives wherever potential.”
X44 and Veloce Racing are the defending winners, although the previous has since shut down. The Hydro X Prix is the second spherical of 2024.
