Making his first-ever Global Rallycross start, Scott Speed took victory in both his heat race and the main event on Sunday at X Games Brazil. Speed gave the #77 Ford Fiesta Star Car from Rdio and OMSE, a new addition to the series in 2013, a victory in its debut, making the winning pass by taking the joker lap through the final corner.
鈥淭o win like this, on the last lap, on the last corner, is truly a dream,鈥 said Speed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 spectacular. It鈥檚 been such a fun experience. These cars are probably the most fun cars I鈥檝e been able to drive.鈥
Speed beat fellow OMSE drivers Toomas Heikkinen and Patrik Sandell to the finish, giving Ford a 1-2-3 podium sweep.
鈥淣ow we are back in business,鈥 said Heikkinen. 鈥淲e have the best team, best car, and best equipment.鈥
鈥淪tarting in the very last position in the final and ending up third is just amazing,鈥 said Sandell. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great start to the season. I鈥檓 so happy.鈥
Heikkinen, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust, and Speed, respectively, won the four heat races, while Ken Block, Travis Pastrana, Steve Arpin, and Anton Marklund advanced by finishing second. Buddy Rice and Sandell transferred to the final from the last chance qualifier.
A major accident at the start of the final led to a red flag after four laps and a restart. Pastrana, Foust, Block, and Rice鈥檚 cars were deemed too damaged to continue.
鈥淎t the start of the final and in lap four, there were two incidents,鈥 said GRC Official Chip Pankow. 鈥淐ars were on the side of the track with drivers inside, one was smoking, and track workers were in harm鈥檚 way while trying to assist the drivers and put out a potential fire. It was the Race Director鈥檚 call to stop the race.鈥
Global Rallycross combines the best aspects of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition to deliver intense action in a fan-friendly environment. Global Rallycross pits production-based, small cars against each other for door-to-door racing featuring elements such as dirt, asphalt and jumps. Drivers progress through a series of heat races to advance into a final race, where winner takes all.
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Check out 香蕉视频直播 Wheel and Tire Guide Issue for an In-Depth look of the Hoonigan Ford Fiesta and exclusive interview with Ken Block. Out on newsstand May 1st 2013.