Latvia added to World RX calendar from 2016

Riga, the capital city of Latvia, has been added to the World RX calendar from 2016 onwards. The announcement of new multi-year partnership with World RX was made today at a special event at Bikernieki National Sports Base circuit, which will host participants of World Rallycross Championship next year.

Reigning World RX Champion Petter Solberg attended the press conference alongside Reinis Nitiss and World RX Managing Director Martin Anayi.  With support from the Latvian Government, work has already gotten underway at the Bikernieki circuit, which is located just 15 minutes away from the centre of Riga.

Reinis Nitiss and Petter Solberg

Bikernieki, which was constructed in 1966, is the most multi-functional racetrack in the Baltic region and has accommodated various motorsport events over the years including drag racing, drift, karting and speedway.

In preparation for the new Latvian RX round, a new state-of-the-art rallycross track will be built. The total length of the track is 1,295 metres (780 metres asphalt, 515 metres gravel). The Joker Lap is situated at the end of the circuit and the layout also includes three jumps.

RA EVENTS director Raimonds Strokss commented: “I am extremely proud that my team has been given the chance to be a pivotal part of World RX and to help promote the Championship to new heights. To bring a round of World RX to Latvia is spectacular news for us, especially at a time when the Championship is growing rapidly in terms of global recognition and when two of our drivers – Reinis Nitiss and Janis Baumanis – are doing so well in the standings. Above all, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the government of Latvia that has found the opportunity to financially back up this event.”

Martin Anayi, World RX Managing Director for IMG, spoke positively about the addition of a new RX circuit in Latvia: “We are delighted to include the Bikernieki circuit to our calendar of events for 2016 onwards. RA Events, the Latvian Government and CSDD have worked incredibly hard to make this happen and the plans for next year’s Latvian World RX round are looking extremely promising. Reinis is a household name in Latvia having won last year’s Norwegian RX race and Janis is currently leading the Super1600 standings, so there’s certainly an appetite for our sport in the Baltic region. It’s also very fitting that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Bikernieki track – and what better way to celebrate the occasion than by bringing World RX to Riga.”