Speed scores second Global Rallycross Polo RX victory at X Games 2014
In a motorsport weekend which saw Polos active in two disciplines, it was a double celebration for Volkswagen over the 7-8 June. While Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia won Rally Italy in Sardinia in their Polo R WRC, US rallycross driver Scott Speed was victorious at X Games 2014 in a Polo RX.
The Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross driver’s win was his second in as many events, as he also took the spoils in round one of the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship in Barbados. Speed, a former F1 driver took the title in Austin, Texas ahead of Bucky Lasek and Nelson Piquet Jnr in a Marklund Motorsport-prepared, 7UP-painted 600bhp Polo RX.
‘Our plan A went perfectly,’ said Speed after his win ahead of 18 other Supercars at the Circuit of the Americas. ‘The car was so good today, just makes my job easy,’ he continued.
His team-mate, Top Gear USA presenter Tanner Foust reached the quarterfinals in his ‘Rockstar’-liveried Polo RX, winning two races before rolling the car out of contention. Speed now leads the GRC by 54 points, while Foust is in eleventh place with four points.
‘Once again, I’m super-impressed by how the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team has prepared our team cars,’ said Foust. ‘Our Volkswagen Polos are the two best cars on the track.’
Marklund was the fastest driver on the US track on the Saturday, but suffered a bad start in his quarterfinal after a spin in the first corner. Heikinnen meanwhile suffered a broken driveshaft after contact with another driver. Both will be in action again in Norway this weekend (14-15 June) at World RX of Norway in Hell.
The next round of the Global Rallycross Championship is Volkswagen Rallycross DC on 21 and 22 June 21 at RFK Stadium, close to Volkswagen of America’s Herndon headquarters.
[Images: ESPN Images, Larry Chen]
