Christine Giampaoli Zonca, more commonly known as Christine GZ, will make her international rallycross debut in Round 4 of the FIA RX2e Championship at the Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps next month (October 9-10).
The Italian-Canary driver currently competes in Extreme E but will now also utilise her extensive off-road talents when the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship continues in Belgium.
While Spa will represent GZ’s maiden event in the discipline, the 27-year-old has plenty of transferable experience – not least on the FIA World Rally Championship stage – which will stand her in good stead for the unique demands of RX2e.
The hugely-popular star is undoubtedly playing catch-up compared to several experienced rallycross regulars who already have three full RX2e race weekends under their belts this term, but a test session prior to the inaugural campaign ensures GZ does have some familiarity with the all-electric machinery.
Having secured the 2014 FWD Championship of the Canaries in a home-built Toyota Corolla AE92 during her first full season behind the wheel, GZ went on to compete in a number of other regional rallies while simultaneously completing her motorsport engineering degree.
In 2016 she made her WRC debut at Rally de Catalunya, winning the women’s category of the Spanish Gravel Rally Championship as a member of the first all-female rally team. She then focused her attention on off-road races in the United States and Mexico, registering a top five finish within the Pro UTV Turbo category in the famous Baja 1000.
Last year, GZ was announced as the main driver for Avatel Racing Team and secured third in the T2 category of the Andalucía Road to Dakar Rally while most recently she has been racing for the XITE ENERGY HS team in Extreme E, helping the series raise awareness of global environmental and sustainability issues while also further developing electric vehicle technology.
Alongside her Extreme E commitments, the Indian-born driver is also currently first in the overall Spanish Off-Road Championship standings and will be doing her best to replicate that form on her rallycross debut – while also enjoying herself in the pioneering RX2e car.
Christine GZ said: “I am really looking forward to this event! I have never raced in rallycross before, but I have tested the RX2e car prior to the start of this season and it seemed like really good fun!
“I can’t wait to get started – see you in Spa!”
Pere Gonzalez, Project Manager, FIA RX2e Championship: “The FIA RX2e Championship prides itself on its distinctive ‘arrive and drive’ concept, giving racers an unrivalled opportunity to get behind the wheel of high-performance machinery and climb the rallycross pyramid.
“Christine’s participation at Spa will be another indication of this accessibility. She has plenty of experience in very different off-road categories but this will be her first time on a rallycross circuit and we are eager to see how well she can adapt to the precision required by the discipline.
“Her off-road knowledge and exceptional car control will be put to the test, and this weekend will help Christine become familiar with the on-track contact customary in RX2e. I’m sure fans will be excited to see how she stacks up against our fiercely competitive field.”
The FIA RX2e Championship continues with Round 4 at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium next month (October 9-10). 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.
