Created for young drivers aged 13 to 16 who aspire to make their debut on the international Off-Road scene, or even a career in Autocross, Rallycross or Rally, the new FIA Cross Car Academy Trophy will be contested this season over five events bringing together the other categories of the FIA European Autocross Championship.

As it was not possible to start in mid-May as originally planned, the Seelow event having to be cancelled due to the health crisis, the Trophy will start in the middle of summer in Saint-Georges de Montaigu, France, on 18 July. This will be followed by Toldijk in the Netherlands (1 August, replacing Seelow), Prerov in the Czech Republic (22 August), Maggiora in Italy (26 September) and Mollerussa in Spain (10 October).

In order to ensure a "turnkey" service for the competitors and the best possible level playing field, the equipment will be identical for all. Following a tender procedure, Life Live, a company owned by the Neuville brothers, including Thierry (five-time World Rally Championship runner-up and current official Hyundai WRC driver), has been appointed to supply the 20 Cross Cars required for the competition. These are currently being built in the company's workshops: the assembly of the chassis is well advanced and the 22 vehicles (the fleet includes 2 reserve chassis) will soon be equipped with the Yamaha MT07 engines selected for the competition, this model perfectly meeting the performance and power levels (75 HP) stipulated by the technical regulations of the Cross Car for the "Junior" versions. Thanks to a package defined in advance, together with insurance cover for the equipment, the budget to be devoted to the season (21,250€) is contained and known in advance. It includes the provision of a Cross Car for the entire Championship (5 events, plus a pre-season shakedown on 27-28 May), consumables such as tyres and fuel, transport of the equipment and the paddock infrastructure to each event, and a mechanic (operating on two vehicles).   

Registration for the FIA Cross Car Academy Trophy is open and a few of the 20 available places remain to be filled. Interested drivers are invited to contact their ASN (National Sporting Authority) or the FIA Off-Road Department (xc-crosscar@fia.com) to request an entry, but can obtain the information leaflet produced by the Cross Car supplier on request at info@life-live.be.