Woolridge and Chadwick revealed as Veloce Racing’s Jurassic X Prix driver line-up
Dynamic duo partnering in Dorset, England to cap off inaugural Extreme E season
Veloce Racing has today (Thursday, 2 December) revealed its driver line-up for the inaugural Extreme E season finale, the Jurassic X Prix (18-19 December) in Dorset, England.
South African cross country ace Lance Woolridge along with two-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick will be getting behind the wheel in Bovington with hopes of replicating the London-based squad’s Sardinia success earlier in the season.
Woolridge steps up to the race seat for the first time, having spent 2021 fulfilling his role as Reserve and Development Driver and advising the team at several of the season’s illustrious X Prix, this move is a natural progression for the 30-year-old.
As a double SACCS Class T Production Vehicle title winner in 2018 and 2019 and runner up in the headlining FIA SACCS category this season, the South African boasts an impressive off-road resumé with a huge amount of experience in disciplines similar to those seen in Extreme E.
Chadwick, meanwhile, returns to the Extreme E grid following a successful W Series campaign which yielded four wins from eight races, as well as the eventual 2021 crown, confirming her status as one of the world’s most prominent female motorsport stars.
Aside from a brief test in France in November, the Jurassic X Prix marks the first time the 23-year-old will drive the ODYSSEY 21 in anger since the Ocean X Prix (29-30 May) in Lac Rose, Senegal. The scene of Chadwick and the team’s maiden Extreme E rostrum finish, a result that will undoubtedly be at the forefront of the Bath native’s mind.
Rupert Svendsen-Cook, Team Principal, Veloce Racing said: “I think I can speak for everyone at Veloce when I say we’re really excited to have two such talented drivers behind the wheel for the Extreme E season finale – and our home race – in Dorset later this month!
“Lance [Woolridge] has been doing a fantastic job as our Reserve and Development Driver this season as well as having a great year racing in South Africa. Then of course we have Jamie [Chadwick] who won Veloce’s first-ever title in W Series back in Austin so we believe we have the best line-up possible to finish the season on a high!”
Ian Davies, Team Manager, Veloce Racing added: “We’ve been hugely impressed with the work Lance has done for us this year. He’s been a huge asset to the team, so we have total confidence in his abilities ahead of Dorset.
“Likewise, Jamie has had an incredible year in W Series and scored our first podium in Senegal let’s not forget, so she certainly knows her way around the ODYSSEY 21. Together, these two drivers are going to be a potent combination.”
About Veloce
Veloce is a London-based organisation that focuses on disruptive areas of the sports and entertainment industries – specifically, esports, motorsport and sustainable, EV motorsport. The brand comprises established professional gaming organisation, Veloce Esports, Extreme E outfit, Veloce Racing and W Series team, Veloce Racing W Series, with all three falling under the overarching Veloce umbrella. As a whole, the business occupies the fastest-growing sectors in motorsport.
Veloce Racing was born from Extreme E’s vision of sustainability-focussed, content-rich and gender-equal sport. The team’s remarkable leadership line-up is spearheaded by legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey and Formula E Champion and ex-Formula 1 driver Jean-Éric Vergne. They are joined by a host of other industry entrepreneurs and innovators who are eagerly awaiting the start of the inaugural 2021 season. Extreme E is an innovative new motorsport championship that sees electric SUVs going head-to-head in areas of the world that have been damaged by climate change or environmental issues.
Veloce Esports is the world’s leading esports and racing growth platform focused on innovation within the gaming, sport, media and entertainment sectors; comprising high-profile drivers, influencers and teams from across the globe. Among them are the official Mercedes F1, McLaren Racing, Alfa Romeo, Sauber and YAS HEAT esports programmes as well as YouTube sensations Tiametmarduk, Aarava, Xpertgamingtech and Lando Norris’ Quadrant channel to name but a few. The organisation’s digital broadcast network, across its various channels, generates in excess of 230 million views per month.
To learn more, please visit: veloce.gg
Sources: George Wilson, MPA Creative