Ex-Formula 1 and Le Mans driver Perry Mccarthy returns to Motorsport.

Perry McCarthy, the original ‘Stig’ from Top Gear, is set to make a motorsport comeback in the ultra-exciting TitansRX European Rallycross Championship, 15 years after hanging up his helmet due to injury.

The ex-Formula 1 and Le Mans driver will make his debut at Lydden Hill, Kent, on Saturday 27 July 2019, and will compete in all rounds this season, including Portugal, Austria, Hungary and Germany.

“At 58 years old, I’m so proud and delighted to be coming back to motor racing at this level,” said McCarthy. “It’s a big challenge ahead, especially as I’ve never competed in rallycross, but it’s given me something to get my teeth into and thankfully I was still fast in testing.

“Since I retired, I’ve been doing corporate speeches and personal appearances around the world but now my racing instincts have returned in a big way. I may not be as young as I used to be, but I’ve been training for a while now and I am fit, focused and hungry.”

He continued: “The nature of the series is entertainment. It’s flat-out, adrenaline-fuelled motor racing action, where all drivers compete on a level playing field in PanteraRX6 rallycross cars. The driver-focused motorsport is guaranteed to pack all the action and drama that it used to deliver to its passionate rallycross fans. I’m grateful to TitansRX founder and CEO Max J Pucher for taking me on board and am looking forward to plenty of wheel-to-wheel action.”

Unsure if the veteran racer would be up for a motorsport comeback, Max J Pucher was thrilled to secure McCarthy for the full race season: “It’s great to see the spirit, enthusiasm and experience that Perry McCarthy is bringing to TitansRX. He is a great addition to the team.”

Although McCarthy has climbed the single-seater ladder and raced in sports cars and touring cars all over the world, his TitansRX debut will mark the first time he has ever competed in a rallycross event.

“I’ve not driven or raced rallycross before – I mean, I’ve been on the grass a few times, but that that wasn’t deliberate,” McCarthy joked.

“A new chapter in my life has opened up and I’ve never been one to ignore a great opportunity. I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got, flat out.”

TitansRX Europe will run six race weekends with a total of 12 races in 2019, and each driver will battle it out in the hope of securing the title of TitansRX Europe Series Winner at the Grand Finale in October.

As the home of rallycross for over 50 years, the Lydden Hill Race Circuit is to host the UK round. The venue has undergone substantial investment and is looking forward to the return of the sport at an international level. From 2020, other TitansRX series from around the world will participate to crown the TitansRX Global Winner.