The Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 entry lists have been revealed for the FIA European Rallycross Championship’s return to France and Essay’s Circuit des Ducs next month (8-9 June).

Euro RX has not visited Essay for 13 years, meaning excitement and anticipation levels are sky-high – as reflected by the size and calibre of the entry in both Euro RX1 and Euro RX3.

There will be a full 20-car grid in the top-tier, setting the scene for a battle royale in the season curtain-raiser. Following his heroics last year, Patrick O’Donovan is back for a full-on title tilt in his Peugeot 208, while a pair of former Euro RX3 champions join the field in the shape of Volland Racing duo Yury Belevskiy and Damian Litwinowicz.

Two of the series’ giant-killers from 2023 – Norway’s Sivert Svardal and Hungarian Máté Benyó – similarly have their sights set on the top step of the podium, but will need to get the better of experienced campaigners René Münnich and Tamás Kárai, both of whom seem to be getting faster with the passing years.

Frenchmen Fabien Pailler, Andréa Dubourg and Pascal Lambec will be hoping to exploit home advantage, and there is also a strong national contingent in Euro RX3, led by rising star Dylan Dufas, the category’s latest winner after triumphing at Germany’s Estering last summer.

Dufas will be joined by compatriots Andrea Bénézet – the youngest member of a proud rallycross dynasty looking to make his mark on the international stage – fan favourite Jimmy Terpereau and Jérémy Lambec, the latter twice a top three championship finisher on the domestic scene. 

Nils Volland is the highest-placed Euro RX3 returnee from last year, and will be partnered at multiple title-winning outfit Volland Racing by Antiguan teenager Nico Geleyns and Lithuania’s Rytis Rutkauskas.

Tickets to attend the race weekend can be purchased here.