Poland's Rallytechnology enters two cars in Projekt E series

Multiple Polish rally championship-winning team, Rallytechnology has confirmed its participation in the #projekte electric series in 2020.

The internationally-renowned rally team has committed to a full participation with a two-car entry, starting with the first race at the iconic Spa- Francorchamps in Belgium on May 16-17.

Projekt E is a collaboration between IMG and Austrian company STARD (Stohl Advanced Research and Development).

Rallytechnology said the possibility of building their own race cars incorporating a common powertrain package from STARD within a cost controlled regulation was a key factor in the decision to enter #projekte.

Robert Gabryszewski, CEO Rallytechnology, said: "Our company became successful by building and #racing group N rallycars. We want to be building our own cars again, which is possible in #projekte.

"Combined with the all-electric powertrain from STARD and the cost controlling regulation, this concept offers us a great business opportunity as a race car builder and team.

"So we see it as a huge opportunity for us to be among the first in this future area and at the same time take our company to the next level. #rallycross is no stranger to our team so we plan to offer world top level service from the start."

"You can put the EV powertrain easily into a R5 rolling chassis with the support STARD provides, and this is exactly our solution. The cost of the complete car is then marginally higher than one of our three R5s but considering the very low running cost of the #projekte car, and our optimized structure, I expect we can offer very competitive packages."

Gabryszewski said that Rallytechnology already have the first driver confirmed and there have been ongoing conversations with Polish drivers since STARD demonstrated the #projekte car in the "Barborka rally" in Warsaw two weeks ago. He added that there was also interest from a number of international drivers for the second car.

The team plans to have the first car ready to commence testing in March 2020. Rallytechnology joins the Norwegian outfit Holten Motorsport AS in announcing their participation in #projekte with further announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Having dominated the Polish Rally scene with 2019 WRC2 runner up Kajetan Kajetanowicz for a number of years, and having established and strengthened their race team operation in various areas, Rallytechnology identified #projekte as the ideal opportunity for private teams to run high-performing electric race cars.

"In the rally scene, we are well known and have had great successes since we started back in 2006. Electric #racing, from our point of view, will definitely be the future, but up until now there was no option for a private team to even think about EV #racing because of a lack of options," Gabryszewski said.

"The #projekte electric #rallycross series is the first-ever affordable option to build and race proper EV race cars for private teams like us. So it is a little bit like we have waited for exactly this opportunity. Next year will definitely be very exciting for us."

Michael Sakowicz, the CEO of STARD, welcomed the Polish team's entry. "Having the renowned rally team Rallytechnology participating in #projekte is great for the series," he said.

"Their plan to build their cars based on a R5 chassis and integrating our #projekte powertrain kit is the perfect choice to get a cost-efficient yet competitive car. Rallytechnology are well known in the market. I think they can be a great option for drivers looking for a turnkey arrive and drive rental option."

Projekt E was created to introduce electric technology into the World RX weekends next year and will use technical partner STARD's "REVelution" EV powertrain systems which will produce up to 450kW (613bhp) combined power, 1100Nm of instantaneous torque and produce a top speed of 240km/h, fitted to current World RX chassis technology.

Projekt E will join five rounds of the #fiaworldrallycrosschampionship presented by Monster Energy in 2020.