Motorsport UK Academy Rally driver Ioan Lloyd will join Vauxhall as their latest works driver, as the British brand makes its return to motorsport by fielding a factory backed car in an all-electric rally championship next year.

Vauxhall will enter the ADAC GSE Rally Cup with Lloyd piloting a Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally car.

Formerly known as the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, the ADAC GSE Rally Cup is a European competition launched in 2021 solely for all-electric cars.

Next year the season will be contested over seven rounds, all of which will be announced before the end of 2025.

The series aims to promote young talent, with the championship winner promoted to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team. This is where they can compete in the Junior European Rally Championship (ERC) aboard a Corsa Rally4.

This will be Vauxhall’s first motorsport adventure since it pulled its factory support from the British Touring Car Championship at the end of 2009. The car maker enjoyed success throughout the 1980s, ‘90s and 2000s, winning nine manufacturers’ crowns.

This is a valuable opportunity for 23-year-old Lloyd who, in 2024 clinched the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup title with co-driver Sion Williams.

Lloyd said: “Joining the ADAC GSE Rally Cup is an exciting new challenge for me and I’m really looking forward to it.

“The all-new car brings a fresh edge to the competition as it’s faster, more powerful, and will be incredible to drive, both for the drivers behind the wheel and for the fans watching.

“Vauxhall’s history in motorsport has helped create legends like Colin McRae, and I’m excited to carry that legacy forward. I can’t wait for the new season to begin and to see what the Mokka GSE Rally can do.”

Motorsport UK continues to voice support for an ‘eclectic’ approach to the future of racing – envisioning a world powered by a mix of systems and fuels suited to different applications.