Nicolas Hamilton to take part in WRX support race

The 25-year-old, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is racing in the Renault Clio Cup series on the BTCC support package this year, driving a car run by WDE Motorsport. 

In Canada, Hamilton will drive a Can-Am Maverick X3 ‘side-by-side’, accompanied by a passenger. 

“I’m very honoured to have been chosen to compete. For me it’s always been a dream to be part of a World Rallycross weekend," he said.

"Being an on-road driver myself, I’m really looking forward to doing some off-road stuff, to drift and control the car on different terrains."

The Canadian World RX event has capacity for additional national supporting categories, as the Supercar class is joined by the single-make RX2 International Series, but not any of the FIA European Championship classes that usually feature at events in Europe. 

Hamilton previously drove a British Rallycross specification single-seater RX150 buggy in Gymkhana Grid at Santa Pod in 2015. 

“I’m just going to go out and have fun,” he added. “I’ve got a lot to learn but I’m really looking forward to it and I’m defiantly up for the challenge.” 

Triple FIA World Champion Petter Solberg’s son Oliver will also take part in a four-wheel drive car in another of the support classes.

Solberg became the youngest rallycross Supercar driver ever earlier this year and won his second event last month. He has previously attended the Canadian race acting as spotter for his father, alongside mother Pernilla. 

The 15-year-old finished second in class on Rally Latvia last week as part of a programme in a Peugeot 208 R2 rally car this year, although his co-driver Veronica Engan has to drive the car on the road sections as he is not yet old enough to drive on the public highway.