Latvian capital Riga to join World Rallycross schedule in 2016
The Bikernieki National Sports Base in Latvia's capital city, Riga, will host a round of the World Rallycross Championship from 2016 as part of a multi-year deal
The new rallycross venue, which is located just 15 minutes from the city centre, was announced during a press conference on Thursday.
The Bikernieki circuit was built in 1966, but will be revamped to include a new rallycross layout for the 2016 event, which will include three jumps.
The event has attracted support from the Latvian government.
"Rallycross brings a new challenge and opportunity for Bikernieki National Sports Base, Riga and Latvia," said Latvia's Transport Minister, Anrijs Matiss.
"The Latvian Government has given the green light to this project.
"We promise to do our best to ensure that Riga will host a fantastic event with thrilling battles, and that Latvian drivers will do their best to show their pace on home soil for the very first time."
Latvian Ford OlsbergsMSE driver Reinis Nitiss, who won the Norwegian round of World RX last season, holds celebrity status in his home country.
Countryman Janis Baumanis made his Supercar debut at the Motorsport News World RX of Great Britian at Lydden Hill in May, and will race in two more World RX events this season as the Super1600 driver targets a full-time Supercar drive in 2016.
The Latvian event will be the eighth new rallycross venue that IMG has introduced since becoming promoter of sport's highest level in 2013.
"It's very fitting that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Bikernieki track," said Latvia's Transport Minister, Anrijs Matiss.
"And what better way to celebrate the occasion than by bringing World RX to Riga."
Previous article
Four-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller joins World Rallycross field
Next article
Former Subaru WRC driver Chris Atkinson eyeing switch to World RX
About this article
| Series | World Rallycross |
| Author | Hal Ridge |
From Lebanon to cross-category world titles - a rally legend's top 10
Petter Solberg has called time on his top-flight career after winning titles in two FIA world championships. Here, the 2003 rally and '14/15 rallycross king recalls his 10 best events - including the moment where all his success began
How to make an F1 venue fit for World RX
World Rallycross makes its first appearance at Silverstone this year as part of the 'Speedmachine' festival in May. We take a look at how the new rallycross track fared in its debut event
Volkswagen hasn't disappeared completely
Volkswagen's abrupt departure from the World Rally Championship it was dominating was one of the winter's biggest shocks. Now 2003 WRC champion Petter Solberg's World Rallycross team has VW support. What does that mean for World RX and what remains of Volkswagen Motorsport?
Why rallycross is becoming irresistible
Sebastien Loeb started a new journey in his motorsport career last weekend, but he wasn't the only attraction in Portugal. DAVID EVANS examines why the World Rallycross product works so well
How good is World Rallycross?
The entries are strong, the cars are powerful and it can teach the WRC a thing or two about promotion. But after visiting the Lydden Hill round, DAVID EVANS still has his doubts
New rallycross golden age comes to Britain
The sport began at Lydden in the late 1960s and this weekend the new-look World Rallycross Championship will strut its stuff at the Kent venue. HAL RIDGE explains why it will be unmissable
Solberg: why rallycross is my future
PETTER SOLBERG had a rough first season back in rallycross, but that hasn't deterred him from signing up for the first year of its new era in 2014, as he explains in his AUTOSPORT column
Solberg: back to school
Petter Solberg says that there's still lots to learn about running a successful rallycross campaign, but he's really enjoying getting back to his roots
