Lotus Evija X’s Ambitious Debut Cut Short at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Expectations soared for the Lotus Evija X at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, especially after its impressive performance at Nürburgring, where it recorded the third-fastest lap in history for a car of its kind. With its 2,000-horsepower electric engine, the Evija X appeared poised to dominate the Goodwood hill climb. However, things took a dramatic turn just moments after it started the race.
Participating in the opening day of the timed shootout, the Evija X took to the course as the festival commenced on Thursday. While the entry list does not specify the driver of the Lotus, both of the previous runs by other Evija models featured Canadian-born British GT driver Scott Maxwell. Once the green flag waved, the Evija X roared off the line, engulfed in a cloud of smoke, its immense power lighting up all four tires. Unfortunately, within just a few seconds, the vehicle veered off course and crashed into the hay bales lining the track, resulting in significant damage to its front end and forcing it to exit the competition.
The cause of the vehicle’s sudden loss of control remains uncertain, but several factors could have contributed. The Evija likely has an aggressive alignment setup with extreme negative camber, which could enhance traction on the outer wheels during a spin. When paired with traction management systems that may not be fine-tuned for such high speeds, coupled with the road’s noticeable crown, even an experienced racing driver could find themselves in trouble. Despite the driver’s visible attempt to regain control through countersteering, it ultimately proved too late to prevent the mishap.
It is possible that the Evija X can be repaired, similar to how McLaren F1s have been restored after accidents in the past. However, whether the car can be ready in time for the remainder of this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is a different story. The crash wasn’t severe, especially considering it involved merely hay bales, but with a vehicle as powerful and costly as the Evija X, any unseen damage could pose a significant risk if rushed back onto the track. Perhaps the team will return next year for another chance.
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