World Rallycross (World RX) has revamped its calendar for 2023, with visits to Asia and South Africa confirming the series will race outside Europe for the first time since 2019.
Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town will host World RX for the first time since 2019, having had its 2020 event cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will host the all-electric off-road racing series from 21st to 22nd October.
The pandemic has also limited World RX to purely European destinations since 2019, so a debut visit to Asia is further confirmation of a return to normality.
The yet-to-be confirmed venue in Asia will be announced in due course, but it is set to act as the 2023 season finale from 25th to 26th November.
World RX will also return to the United Kingdom for the first time since 2019, with Lydden Hill playing host to the series from 22nd to 23rd July.
The Nürburgring in Germany, which hosted World RX in 2020 and 2021, has been replaced by the Estering, which last featured on the calendar in 2018. Similarly, Mettet replaces Spa-Francorchamps to host the round in Belgium.
Last season's opening two races swap places in the schedule, with Norway hosting the curtain raiser from 17th to 18th June and Sweden occupying its usual slot on the first weekend of July, which will notably act as World RX's 100th race.
“We are pleased to present the 2023 World RX calendar, which we believe represents the very best of rallycross and which has been the subject of a huge effort behind the scenes in recent months,” said Arne Dirks, executive director for Rallycross Promoter.
“It clearly looks slightly different to recent seasons, and we are delighted to finally be ‘spreading our wings’ and venturing outside of Europe again.
“Ever since taking over as promoter of this great championship, we have been committed to returning to Cape Town to showcase World RX in front of the enthusiastic South African fans, and we are hugely excited to be adding a new event in Asia to the line-up, which truly underscores the series’ world championship credentials.
“At the same time, the re-introduction of three charismatic European venues in Lydden Hill, Mettet and Estering reflects our desire to celebrate rallycross’ rich heritage and traditions while embracing the sport’s electric future. Similarly, the large crowds seen at Hell, Höljes, Montalegre and Nyirád this year are testament to those circuits’ enduring appeal. We can’t wait to go racing.”