Chicherit: “We won’t be in World RX next year without electric”

How did the GCK company operate during this confinement?

We did well. If many things could not move forward, we were able to develop other projects with the time available. We resorted to teleworking which, in a sense, allowed us to be more productive with better time management. We will have many announcements to make between now and the end of the year or early 2021.

What are your future sporting projects outside of Rallycross ?

I can't say anything at the moment, but we plan to develop in other disciplines with electric. The GCK team will soon only rely on this technology and we will not be present next year in World RX if the thermal remains in place, but we will perhaps leave the Fors Performance team to complete the operation of the Supercars (the electric debut in World RX has been postponed to 2022 due to the coronavirus crisis). It's not just a question of image, but above all a question of convictions. I ultimately want everything to be “green”, from equipment to logistical transport. It would be nonsense otherwise. We have the means to implement this with the GCK Energy department. For example, last year we had a structure that was 100% self-sufficient in electricity.

What motivated your choice to embark on the retrofit (which consists of replacing the thermal engine with an electric motor)?

I have always loved beautiful cars and I wanted to develop this project for three years. We have completed the development of the engine and have already tested it on the circuit, benefiting from the expertise of the IBS company, founded by Éric Boudot and myself, who is also working on my Dakar project. The goal was to design batteries that offer high performance and efficient cooling at an attractive cost because this technology is currently too expensive in motorsport and it cannot work.

What will be the specific features of the Lancia Delta eVO, the first project that you presented?

The Lancia Delta Retrofit project has been in the works for almost two years. We do not want to produce large volumes, we are more oriented towards the exclusive and we plan to produce a total of 47 examples of this model. We are keeping the basics of the Delta by using chassis from the early 1990s, but everything will be refurbished to meet current standards. We will nevertheless reinstall a 5-speed H-shaped gearbox as on the original model as well as a clutch and I think this is a first in electrics. For me it was an obligatory condition to have a gearbox because that is how you get the pleasure of driving. Electric motors can go very high, but you can have demonic performance with a transmission of only 150kW (or around 200hp) with gear ratios. We do not have a partnership with the manufacturer. We work as a simple preparer by buying chassis.

How are you preparing for the resumption planned for the end of August in Höljes (Sweden)?

We should be able to resume testing around mid-June. We will have to be ready because the schedule will be very concentrated. The cancellation of the Lohéac round seemed premature to me and I am obviously disappointed with this decision, but I also understand the problems that the organizers encountered. An FIA meeting is due to take place right now (Friday May 29) to find a replacement event.

What is your view on the future of World RX?

I don't understand all the decisions, but I accept the situation and I know they are doing the best they can. We never know all the parameters and I want to show them my support by remaining positive, even if I would like them to take the plunge by going electric. Of course, there will be less noise, but you have to live with the times and accept change. Rallycross lends itself perfectly to this technology, it is a discipline where there is a lot of contact and where something always happens at the start. For our part, we also had to step out of our comfort zone. In particular, we had to recruit new engineers and make investments. I think we need to be inspired by what Travis Pastrana is doing with his Nitro Circus and Ken Block with his Gymkhana videos seen by tens of millions of people. We must use these concepts for Rallycross and energize the show.