BUXTEHUDE, Germany (October 17, 2016) — Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust returned to the challenging Estering rallycross circuit for the World RX of Germany, the penultimate round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
It was the second guest appearance for Foust in the World RX
series this year. Foust also raced the Lydden Hill Circuit in May in the
Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Polo RX, fielded by the Volkswagen RX
Sweden team. 2016 marks his seventh year of rallycross appearances in
Europe with the Rockstar Energy team.
“It felt great to be back out in front of another
sold-out crowd in Germany and to see a lot of familiar faces, because
Estering is very close to the Volkswagen Motorsports home in Hannover,”
Foust said. “The competition level at the FIA World Rallycross Championship
has certainly gotten very high, and Estering is a fairly technical track.
That combination leaves zero tolerance for mistakes to make it into the
Final.”
The Estering circuit has hosted international events since 1973, and is one of the oldest on the calendar — second only to Lydden Hill. Set 30 miles south of Hamburg, the traditional German RX track is only 950 metres long but is among the fastest of the year with a long, downhill run between turns one and two. Foust last visited the track early in his rallycross career.
Foust struggled with engine problems on Day 1, finishing
17th in the first qualifier and 24th in the second qualifier on Saturday.
The Volkswagen RX Sweden team swapped in a new engine for Day 2.
“Day 1 for me was engine problems all day, and then the
engine finally quit,” Foust said. “We got it changed up for Day
2 but the damage was done, with no chance to qualify.” Foust had the
9th fastest time in Q3, and finished 19th in Q4, then signed autographs and sat
back to watch as his Volkswagen RX teammate Johan Kristofferson battled
for the championship. Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom mathematically secured
the 2016 championship, leaving Kristofferson and Petter Solberg to battle
it out for second place next month, November 25, at the World RX of
Argentina finale.
“My two World Rallycross Championship appearances this
year were really unsatisfying, with some mechanical problems both times,
but it hasn’t soured my desire to continue to run rallycross in Europe
every chance I get,” Foust said. “I hope to return next year for the
50th anniversary of rallycross at Lydden Hill. I have complete faith that
the Volkswagen RX Sweden team will have some of the best cars available
next year.”
Foust began competing in rallycross events in Europe in 2010
and became the first American ever to win a race in the top class when he
brought home victory in Portugal the following year. An interdisciplinary
champion, Foust has won three U.S. rallycross titles and is the only driver
with back-to-back Formula Drift championships. In 2016, he finished runner-up
in the US based Global Rallycross Championship.
Rallycross is a blend of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition. It promises intense crowd-pleasing action in a fan-friendly track environment. As many as 10 drivers line up to start at once, piloting high-horsepower compact cars through race traffic over a challenging short course that features jumps, unbanked turns, hills and transitions between pavement and gravel. It is sometimes described as an action motorsport and is emerging as the top youth-market motorsport in the world.
ABOUT TANNER FOUST
Tanner Foust is a versatile and multi-talented driver known
for his supreme car control and a proven track record of podium
placements, national championships and world records. He is a
three-time U.S. rallycross champion (2012, 2011, 2010) who has also won
four X Games gold medals (2013, 2010, 2007), and two Formula Drift
championships (2008, 2007).
He has held multiple world records including for the
astonishing Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare, which saw Foust drive a car
through a 66-foot loop-the-loop. He scored the indoor speed record
for TV’s Top Gear USA, and set a distance jump record with Hot Wheels when
he made a 332′ ramp-toramp leap in a truck at the Indy 500.
His varied race experience also includes multiple years of
open wheel competition, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, rally racing, various
types of sports car racing and the SCORE Baja. He has represented the USA
in the annual Race of Champions three times, teaming with NASCAR star Carl
Edwards in 2008, Travis Pastrana in 2009, and Mick Doohan in 2010.
When he isn’t racing, the professional driver also performs
in films and on television, most recently as host of the U.S. version of
the seminal BBC auto show Top Gear.
Foust also handles stunt driving in numerous popular films,
TV shows and commercials. He is featured as a stunt driver in Need 4
Speed, as well as other major releases including the Bourne Legacy, Bourne
Ultimatum, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Dukes of Hazzard, Red Dawn and
Iron Man 2.
ABOUT ROCKSTAR
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles — from athletes to rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in more than 30 countries, Rockstar supports the rockstar lifestyle across the globe through action sports, motor sports, and live music.
More at www.RockstarEnergy.com
