World RX to support DTM at Hockenheim

The World Rallycross Championship has been increased from 12 to 13 rounds for the 2015 season, with an additional event being held at Hockenheim alongside the DTM's season opener.

Championship promoter IMG has agreed terms with the FIA World Motor Sport Council to hold the event, as part of a multi-year deal to run at the venue. A brand-new rallycross circuit will be constructed in the final stadium section of the Hockenheim lap.

World RX series boss Martin Anayi said: "It is a great honor to partner with DTM at their 2015 season-opening weekend at the Hockenheimring. We have been extremely impressed with the professionalism we have seen from ITR in running DTM and we can't wait to show the German motorsport audience just how special World RX is.

"We were thrilled when the opportunity arose to build a purpose-built rallycross circuit in one of the world's most famous venues. Coupled with the fact that an RX event would be held on such an important weekend in the German motorsport calendar was the icing on the cake."

The event will run as the second round of the World RX championship, a week after the season opener in Portugal.

Germany will host two rounds of the series this season, with the Estering circuit in the north of the country the setting for round five in June.

"Whatever we do, we always do it allowing for the interests of the fans we want to provide a unique experience at the circuit," said ITR chairman Hans-Werner Aufrecht.

"In consideration of this fact, the FIA World Rallycross Championship suits us perfectly: the DTM high-tech touring cars and the rugged compact World RX racers represent two different, fascinating motorsport facets. I am convinced that the motor racing enthusiasts will love this combination."

Double DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom [RIGHT] won the Swedish round of the World RX championship last season, and the DTM season finale at Hockenheim.

Ekstrom's EKS RX team recently signed Swede Anton Marklund to drive an Audi S1 in World RX for 2015, as well as a campaign in the new Audi Sport TT Cup, which runs alongside the DTM and will be included as one of the support races in the joint World Rallycross/DTM event.

Originally on Autosport.com