This is the Statt Mann Baby. Time to Scatt a little bit.

The people who run World Rallycross, IMG, are bending to pressure from global car makers. They’re demanding a showcase electric and hybrid machinery, the kinds of vehicles manufacturers want to sell in showrooms.

2017 Ken Block Rallycross

This week IMG announced Projekt E, an initiative for electric car competition. It will be part of the World RX weekend by 2021 at the latest.

IMG says this is an acknowledgement of “a future that embraces sustainability, responsibility and advanced technologies.”

That sentence, however, ignores threats from manufacturers to withdraw from racing series unless something is done to create new technologies they can embrace.

Rallycross might be the perfect vehicle for electrification. The races are short and demand quick power and torque, all benefits of a battery powered machine.

Let’s hope it flies.

Peace.