The championship's predecessor began in 1973 as the Embassy/ERA European Rallycross Championship. In 1976, the FIA established formal regulations for rallycross, including Group 5 regulations for the cars, and awarded the first official European cup. By 1978, two classes were introduced: one for Touring cars and one for Grand Touring cars. The FIA European Cup was awarded to the driver with the most points scored across both divisions, Norwegian Martin Schanche. In 1979, Schanche claimed the first ever true FIA European Championship title.
The FIA reorganized the classes in 1982 into Division 1, for Group A cars restricted to two-wheel drive, and Division 2 for "Rallycross Specials," which allowed the use of four-wheel drive. The first European champions under these rules were Norwegian Egil Stenshagen and Austrian Franz Wurz (father of ex-Formula One driver Alexander Wurz).
Following several major accidents, Group B cars were banned from the World Rally Championship at the end of 1986, but they found a new home in the European Rallycross Championship in 1987. While Division 1 continued to use two-wheel drive touring cars, Division 2 received exotic Group B machinery such as the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2, Ford RS200 E2, Lancia Delta S4, Audi Sport Quattro S1, and MG Metro 6R4. These vehicles continued to be prepared in rallycross past their highest point of evolution in rallying.
Beginning in the 1993 season, Group B cars disappeared as four-wheel drive "specials" entered the era. Division 1 opened to four-wheel drive cars using Group N regulations. Division 2 was based on Group A but allowed modifications such as turbocharging, four-wheel drive, or changing to a different engine produced by the same manufacturer. This permitted the creation of machines based on the Citroën Xantia, Peugeot 306, and Ford Escort RS2000. A third division for two-wheel drive cars up to 1.4 litres, called the 1400 Cup, was added; its title was recognized by the FIA starting in 1995.
In 1997, the divisions were swapped, with Division 1 becoming the primary class for Group A-based cars and Group N moving to Division 2. In 1999, Division 1 began allowing cars based on WRC and Supertouring regulations, utilizing the same freedoms as Group A (adding turbochargers and four-wheel drive where needed). Division 2 retained Group N regulations but was limited to a maximum displacement of 2.0 litres and two-wheel drive. In 2001, the 1400 Cup was upgraded to Division 2A.
The class format was revised again in 2003. Division 1 and Division 2 remained essentially identical to the previous format, featuring 4WD turbocharged Group A "specials" and 2WD normally aspirated 2.0-litre Group N cars, respectively. A new Division 1A was created to replace the 1400 Cup, featuring regular Group A cars up to 1.6 litres.
In 2013, the European Rallycross Championship was promoted for the first time by IMG Motorsports. Rebranded as RallycrossRX (a brand no longer in official use), the championship underwent changes to the racing format. In 2014, the FIA approved plans for the championship to become a fully sanctioned FIA World Championship. Alongside the creation of the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX), the European Rallycross Championship (Euro RX) was restructured into a five-round Supercar series with races in Great Britain, Norway, Belgium, Germany, and Italy. All nine rounds of the World RX held in Europe count toward the European titles for Super1600 and TouringCar drivers.
FIA World Rallycross Championship
List of rallycross drivers
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