Extreme E set to excite once more as it returns to racing in Scotland this weekend

9 July 2024, London: Pioneering racing series Extreme E makes its long-awaited return to racing action this weekend, with Rounds 3 and 4 of its 2024 campaign taking place in Scotland (13-14 July).

The stunning landscape of Dumfries and Galloway is the setting for what promises to be two spectacular days of racing as its Season 4 calendar resumes.

This year’s Hydro X Prix will once again take place at the former Glenmuckloch opencast coal mine site, a location set to undergo a remarkable transformation into a Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) plant and wind farm, developed by Foresight Group's Energy Transition Fund (FEIP). This unique setting underscores Extreme E's commitment to raising awareness about climate change and promoting sustainable solutions.

The restored former coal mine provides a poignant backdrop for the sport which uses its platform to raise awareness of climate change and global soultions, and will be a site at the forefront of renewable energy development, embodying the shift towards a more sustainable future. This transformation aligns seamlessly with the ethos of Extreme E, which seeks to use motorsport as a platform to highlight environmental challenges and innovative responses.

As eight teams and 16 drivers get ready for wheel-to-wheel battles in Scotland once more it is a fiercely competitive leaderboard, with Nico Rosberg’s Rosberg X Racing (RXR) leading the standings by two points from ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team, with both outfits taking a victory apiece at the season opener in Saudi Arabia.

“Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “ The Hydro X Prix marks our long-awaited return to racing and we cannot wait to get the second half of the 2024 campaign underway in Scotland.

“The extreme course in Dumfries and Galloway produced some thrilling racing last season and so we cannot wait to get back on track this weekend for the next round of the championship, and we are hoping for more of the same as our ODYSSEY 21s battle it out on track.”

Scotland’s dramatic landscapes offer a perfect backdrop for Extreme E’s unique brand of racing. The race location and its terrain provide an ideal setting for showcasing the capabilities of the ODYSSEY 21s, with its varied surfaces featuring gravel, grass and clay, as well as steep inclines and unpredictable weather. These elements combine to test the skills of the drivers and the robustness of the vehicles to the fullest.

The course for this year’s Hydro X Prix will be revealed later this week.

There will also be a combination of new additions and familiar faces on the Extreme E grid for this year’s Hydro X Prix. Amanda Sorensen returns to the championship line-up with Jenson Button’s JBXE outfit, as the 2009 Formula 1 world champion freshens up his team’s driver pairing for its home event. Sorensen starred in Scotland in 2023 for Chip Ganassi Racing, taking the team’s first podium of the campaign.

Scotland will also mark Patrick O’Donovan’s racing debut in Extreme E, deputising for Jimmie Johnson at Legacy Motor Club (LEGACY M.C.). Following an impressive stint as Championship Driver in the series, O’Donovan, from London, UK, will race in the series for the first time alongside Gray Leadbetter.

O’Donovan’s move to LEGACY M.C. sees Tommi Hallman take over the role as male Championship Driver for the Hydro X Prix – a position he also filled in 2023. Hallman, a rising rallycross star from Finland, will be joined as a Championship Driver by Tamara Molinaro who returns to the series once more. The duo were both Championship Drivers the last time Extreme E raced in Scotland.

Last year's races were marked by intense competition, with Sir Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Vida Carbon Racing and E.ON Next Veloce Racing taking the top spots across the weekend’s racing in Scotland, with more excitement and unpredictability expected this weekend. Each team will bring their A-game to Scotland, pushing the limits of the ODYSSEY 21s in search of victory.

A key component of the Hydro X Prix is its legacy programme, where Extreme E continues to work with the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board on a multi-stage environmental initiative focused on mitigating climate change effects upon Atlantic salmon, highlighting issues caused by rising water temperatures and change in rainfall patterns. This year’s activities which will focus on the protection and regeneration of the land surrounding the Nith River and its tributaries. These activities will be spearheaded by Jim Henderson from the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, with support from Extreme E Science Committee members Professor Lucy Woodall and Professor Richard Washington. The legacy activations will see drivers engage in ‘Green Engineering’ activities, which include crucial data collection, river maintenance, and restoration projects.

One of the first activities involves electrofishing, a technique used to safely capture salmon from the river to monitor their population. This data is vital for ongoing research and conservation efforts. Additionally, drivers will conduct Aquatic ‘Kick Sampling’, surveying aquatic insects and invertebrates, which are essential for assessing the health of the river ecosystem and the food sources for salmon. To combat riverbank erosion, a practical demonstration of ‘Willow Spiling’ will also take place. This traditional technique involves weaving freshly cut willow stakes and rods to stabilise and protect the riverbank, preventing erosion that can destroy salmon eggs. These hands-on activities not only contribute to environmental conservation, but also educate participants on sustainable practices.

Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme E, added: “Returning to Scotland for the Hydro X Prix is a significant moment for Extreme E. The transformation of Glenmuckloch from a coal mine to a renewable energy site perfectly encapsulates our message of sustainability. We're thrilled to race in such a symbolic location and to contribute to the ongoing environmental efforts in the region.”

Extreme E’s spectacular return to racing action can be viewed on ITV3 in the UK, with both Grand Finals live from 1500-1700 BST, over both Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July. Outside of the UK, please visit here for broadcaster details.

For more information on Extreme E, please contact: Josh Bell, Extreme E media@extreme-e.com / +44 7389 727703 Becky Greenwell, W Communications ExtremeE@wcommunications.co.uk

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