Kobe Pauwels is set to make his debut in the FIA RX2e Championship at the World RX of Germany (November 27-28) later this month, where the Belgian ace will experience all-electric rallycross for the first time.
The 17-year-old is certainly not a newcomer to the World RX paddock, having competed in the 2021 Euro RX3 championship. Now that series has reached its conclusion, however, Pauwels is making a guest appearance in the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship and is targeting a strong result from the outset.
Like his grandfather (national rallycross competitor Benny Pauwels) and his father before him (World Championship Supercar racer Koen Pauwels), Kobe has taken to rallycross like a duck to water.
Following an initial stint on the European and International karting scene in which he clinched the 2016 European Mini Max Championship and seventh in the World Championship standings that same year, Pauwels made the switch to rallycross and hasn’t looked back since.
Kicking off his rallycross endeavours in the high thrills CrossCar category, the Belgian racer gained vital experience in the Belgian CrossCar Junior series – winning the title during his time there – as well as making appearances in the European CrossCar Championship and RallyX Nordic’s prestigious CrossCar category.
Victory in his first-ever car racing entry at the 2020 British Rallycross Championship finale at Lydden Hill only added to Pauwels’ burgeoning reputation, and so the stage was set for him to make his debut on the World RX package in 2021.
Having snatched a breathtaking victory at Lohéac at the midway point of the season and notched a further two podiums throughout the year, Pauwels ended the season as vice champion at the first time of asking, paving the way for a preliminary RX2e entry.
Kobe Pauwels said: “I’m so excited to try out the RX2e car. It’s been great to be on the World RX bill in Euro RX3 this year, but this will definitely be a case of adding another string to my bow. Racing in general, not just rallycross, is moving towards electric technology so it’s important to get ahead of the curve in terms of experiencing the technology.
“The field has looked really competitive all year so I’m eager to see how I compare to the guys who have been doing this all year. Obviously, I’m targeting a good result to finish the season, I think a podium is a realistic goal.”
Pere Gonzalez, Project Manager, FIA RX2e Championship, said: “We’re thrilled to have Kobe [Pauwels] join the FIA RX2e paddock at the Nürburgring. We have enjoyed an incredibly high standard in the series so far this season and we’re clearly going to finish on yet another high note in Germany.”
“Pauwels has proved his worth in Euro RX3 this season by finishing as vice champion in his first year of international competition and his credentials speak for themselves prior to joining the World RX paddock. I think we’re all keen to hear his feedback on our pioneering new car during his first weekend competing in all-electric rallycross.”
The FIA RX2e Championship reaches its dramatic conclusion at the World RX of Germany (November 27/28). You can watch every single race live on RX+, the new FIA World Rallycross Championship broadcast platform.
About FIA RX2e Championship
Sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), RX2e is a joint venture between Spanish electro-mobility specialist QEV Technologies, Olsbergs MSE and RX Promotion.
The vision for the FIA RX2e Championship is to provide a pathway to the top of the sport for aspiring rallycross stars, with five European events planned for its inaugural season in 2021, all in support of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
2021 FIA RX2e Championship Calendar
July 23 – 24 Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
August 20 – 22 Höljes, Sweden
September 3-5 Lohéac, France
October 9-10 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
November 27-28 Nürburgring, Germany
About QEV Technologies
QEV Technologies, a pioneering electric mobility global company created in Spain, is backed by a long and solid track record in the sustainable mobility sector, with a commitment to electric vehicles and a decade of experience in the manufacture of electric hypercars. The company is focused on the design and manufacture of electric vehicles for different sectors, using and developing cutting-edge technology, as well as on the conversion of combustion vehicles to electric vehicles. QEV Technologies has also an extensive-winning experience in motor racing.
