Old Glenmuckloch coal mine to host Extreme Electronic off-road rally in May
The Extreme E Series will hold its Hydro X Prix at Glenmuckloch inside Buccluech’s Queensberry estate on 13 and 14 of May.
Last updated 31st Mar 2023
A restored coal mine in Dumfries & Galloway is set to host an electric off-road rally in just over a month.
The Extreme E Series will hold its Hydro X Prix at Glenmuckloch inside Buccluech’s Queensberry estate on 13 and 14 of May.
The event is being supported by F1 stars Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button who have teams they’re backing.
The old coal mine is seen as the ideal site due to its plans to transform into a pumped storage hydropower plant and wind farm.
Focussing in the promotion of electric vehicles and clean energy innovations, the E-Series is now in it’s third season and has been hosted in locations including Greenland, the Atacama Desert, Saudi Arabia and Senegal, on the west coast of Africa.
Now Scotland is playing host to the event which will be streamed to millions across the globe.
Anna Fergusson Estate Director of Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate has been telling Greatest Hits Radio that it’s a fantastic opportunity to put Dumfries & Galloway on the map and that the area is well known for its rally drivers.
She said: “This will put D&G on the map, especially with green energy and lots of talk about getting the message out about climate change, and the local community are completely on board with this event.
“It’s going to be beamed across 140 million viewers, and it will be great for the area. We do have a history of famous rally drivers like Colin McRae and also with the Jim Clark Rally being tied here too.
“So, I’m sure there will be lots of interest from that point of view as well.
“For those who don’t know the area, right now the racing area looks like a big open void and the E-Extreme people will be utilising the existing landscape. Some of the track will be over the grassy areas but also heading down into the quarry itself.”
She added: “Hosting Extreme E is a wonderful opportunity for Buccleuch and the local community. Their commitment to the environment flows through everything they do and using the sport to highlight local and international nature-based projects enables engagement on so many levels. For me, personally, recognising gender equality sends an incredibly positive message, which is important to recognise.”