Pure ETCR is the EV race series you should be excited about

Electric propulsion and motorsport are contentious topics for hardcore punters. Usually, fans of the latter would prefer both remain mutually exclusive, but what if there was another way? Enter Pure ETCR, a category that professes to harness non-ICE propulsion to, ahem, electrify on-track racing.

Of course, technology such as hydrogen-powered generators that emit only water and using ships as the sole mode of international travel is all part of the ‘green’ back story, too. However, it’s the rallycross-style race formats, the use of permanent circuits and easily identifiable touring cars charged with mega power that should make you take an interest.

Pure ETCR isn’t the only racing series to go electric. Formula E, which has attracted strong manufacturer support in the past, is the FIA’s EV darling. However, other categories like Extreme E and World RX (as well as hybrid WRC cars) are all seeking the limelight.

So, let’s dive underneath the surface to see what’s what with Pure ETCR.

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The cars

They’re actually very cool. While TCR cars gain wings, bulging arches and oversized diffusers, the electrified versions take those elements up a few notches. For now only three cars/manufacturers are along for the ride, those being the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR, Cupra Leon ETCR and the Alfa Romeo Giulia ETCR.

All three racers are rear-wheel drive with electronic torque vectoring on the rear axle. Propulsion is via four electric motors that gain juice from a 65kWh battery pack. Given the high-intensity discharge ETCR is going for in the name of speed, range is just 40km.

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However, the power and torque outputs are what will make you pay attention. They come in at a maximum of 500kW and 960Nm. The reason it’s stated as a maximum figure is because, depending on the track layout, drivers will be able to deploy a timed push-to-pass, bulking up the standard 300kW to the headline count. That’s one hell of an extra shove in the back.

Despite weighing in at 1575kg, the Pure ETCR cars blast to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds before going on to a top speed of 270km/h. Yet, it’s not all about straight-line speed. While the battery tips the scales at 500kg (and is supplied to all teams from Williams Advanced Engineering), it is bolted to the subframe and is centrally mounted for better weight distribution.

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Teams are free to build a bespoke chassis around that of the road car’s shell, but the Magelec electric gubbins and Williams battery are standardised for the category. So are the Goodyear tyres. They’re treaded, only come in one compound and are to be used in all weather and track conditions.

While the range is meagre, the batteries can be charged from 10 per cent to 90 per cent full in less than an hour. The ETCR racers also utilise regenerative braking and each brand has its own cooling system to optimise racing temperatures.

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The drivers

Pure ETCR has attracted top-flight racers from around the world. And from championships like WTCR and DTM to highlight a few. What’s more is that there is more than one title holder in the mix. Each of the three two-car teams has four drivers.

Romeo Ferraris enlists the services of Philipp Eng, Luca Filippi, Oliver Webb and Rodrigo Baptista. Hyundai Motorsport N has Jean-Karl Vernay, Augusto Farfus, John Filippi and Tom Chilton on its books. Cupra X Zengo Motorsport consists of Daniel Nagy, Gordi Gene, Mikel Azcona and Mattias Ekstrom.

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The format

While you must admire how bold Pure ETCR is being with the racing, it’s not the easiest to explain. And race distances are hampered by the limited electric range, so the lap count for battles never exceeds five.

There is no traditional qualifying to determine grid positions, with the drivers drawn at random to enter one of two pools that remain separate for the weekend. Round 1 consists of a pair of three-car battles in each pool with the winners facing off in Round 2 – the third-place finishers do the same.

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On Day 2, a time trial makes up Round 3 and that sets the starting order for the SuperFinals which end the weekend. To be crowned King or Queen a driver must amass the most points throughout all the rounds and finals (time trial not included). The prize for doing so is literally a crown…

The idea is to keep the racing as fast-paced and action-packed as possible. Think rallycross and you’re on the money. And despite the small fields, the racing is close and fierce. Check out the Pure ETCR YouTube channel for a taste of all the action. It’s certainly not a procession and the drivers aren’t afraid to rub panels.

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The ethos

What is Pure ETCR trying to achieve? Apart from focusing on electric performance, other measures are being taken to amp up the ‘green’ side of the category. Hence the charging stations are powered by water-emitting hydrogen units, initial rounds are Europe-centric to cut travel emissions and the tyres are standardised to cull waste.

According to the organisers, it’s a way of making motorsport sustainable without losing the excitement fans crave. Pure ETCR is the first multi-brand electric touring car series and the technology going into the race cars should filter down onto the marker. Surprisingly, it’s trying to tap into the ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ mentality that was so prevalent in categories past.

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