Global Rallycross?

[tbtstt]

I see there is now a "Global Rallycross" website on the go:

http://www.global-rallycross.com/?page_id=7

I'm a bit confused as I thought the US rallycross championship was running under the Rallycar name for next year? I thought perhaps that this was a new name for the US Championship or something, but then I notice that "Global Rallycross" is only showing 4 rounds, and I thought there were 6 RallyCar events planned for next year?


NB: Apologies if this is old news - I haven't seen the Global Rallycross link posted on here before!

[AndyS]

Seems strange to call it Global when all the races are in the States! Maybe this refers to the fact Drivers from various countries will be competing. There's something on Rallycross Online about it, seems to be a combination of the X Games format and Rallycross as we know it. Doing one discipline one day and the other the next.

[rx-guru]

Global RallyCross is the brainchild of a yank by the name Brian Gale and Swede Andréas Eriksson. Perhaps you’ve seen the Global RallyCross banners on the windscreens of OMSE cars before? However, to me it seems that Gale has taken over US RX from RallyCar/Rally America now and that his championship will be the only 2011 RX series in America.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

Global RallyCross is the brainchild of a yank by the name Brian Gale and Swede Andréas Eriksson. Perhaps you’ve seen the Global RallyCross banners on the windscreens of OMSE cars before?

Yes indeed! I'm sure quite a few of the cars were carrying that window sticker at last years X-Games - I didn't realise that was going to be taken as the name of the 2011 US series though.

Originally Posted by rx-guru

However, to me it seems that Gale has taken over US RX from RallyCar/Rally America now and that his championship will be the only 2011 RX series in America.

That makes more sense, it would seem crazy to try and launch two new championships for a "new" race discipline, wouldn't it? It seems odd that the line up for "Global" rallycross doesn't include NJMP though. Given that was the first circuit that rallycross was trialed at in the US, I was expecting it to be used again in 2011.

I think I may have misunderstood the earlier posts with regard to the Hyundai Veloster. When the original Veloster press release mentioned Marcus Dodd I assumed that meant they were going to make a car available to him for use in rally events but, looking at the Global Rallycross site, it looks like Dodd will be driving in the US this year?

[tbtstt]

Sorry for the double post folks but, as AndyS has posted, there is a pretty good breakdown of the GRC on Rallycross.com. Also discovered this lurking on the interweb as well:

http://www.nocoastmotorsports.net/20...RallyCross.pdf

A rather thorough sales pitch?

[rx-guru]

One RX Veloster is for Rhys Millen, the second will be used in some events by Marcus Dodd and in other events by world record freestyle motorbike rider Robbie Maddison. Millen and Maddison will also drive the cars in the X Games 17. An ERC24 subscription can bring one in the kow about what is going on in the World of RX…

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

An ERC24 subscription can bring one in the kow about what is going on in the World of RX…

I'm still feeling bitter as there was no ERC DVD last year!

Haha! I should really, as its one of the few motorsports that I follow these days, I keep meaning to subscribe to Rallycross World as well but, everytime I seem to get a bit of free money it seems to get taken by something else!

[rx-guru]

Rallycross World is for free for ERC24 subscribers, comes into the bargain.

[USRallycross]

Everything is looking good for rallycross in 2011 so sleep snugly in your beds. The advocacy of ESPN is huge and leads the series into X Games. Not everything has been announced yet but if all goes well this will be the biggest thing the sport has seen since a misty day in February 1967......

Just a few weeks until the first race and each event will run two rounds per weekend as well as SuperRally - which is what you usually see at X Games.

You have to remember how fast this is all moving. We only had our first event in August, yet true to American culture, we want to go 'global' within 12 months.

Rally America continue to sanction the Global Rallycross events and are very much involved but GRC will promote the sport which can only help its success.

I am still smiling about rallycross being here! Will see you all at Lydden with the Stars and Stripes for Tanner and my Best Buy shirt for David Binks!


Mark

[rx-guru]

Mark, that Saturday February 4 1967 was not a misty but sunny day.

See here: http://www.erc24.com/db/news/800_x020220079794.jpg

[StockHatch782]

Four events in the USA doesn't strike me as being very global, unless I've missed something pretty hefty.

[I Rosputnik]

I love how Codemasters seem to be everywhere in rallycross now. Good for them. I blame Codemasters for getting me interested in Rallycross and warping my view on it.

Now we just need four races in europe, and we can have a US vs Europe championship.

[USRallycross]

Oh come on we are the country with the World Series and the NFL "World Champions" so our definition of Global may be different

The serious answer is there is more to come.

Eddie - I was but a twinkle in my dad's eye who by the way marshalled that day at Lydden. His memory isn't that reliable evidently......

Mark

[tbtstt]

Thanks for the posts Mark, could you just confirm something for me please? Am I right in saying that all drivers will participate in the "head to head" and rallycross type events, the results of which will both count to their position on a single scoreboard, or are the "head to head" and rallycross two seperate series?

Looking forward to seeing how the first round in Irwindale pans out, fingers crossed the TV coverage won't be too hard to get hold of!

[USRallycross]

I have my briefing call today but will try and answer now from what I know.

Two events will be run each weekend. Rallycross exactly as we know and love and as was run at NJMP last Fall.

The other event will be a version of SuperRally. If you have ever seen an X Games 'rally' event, this is what we call SuperRally. So basically a car going head to head. I am not sure the exact format (is it X Games or ROC?) but will be head to head and run seperately from the Rallycross although probably with the same cars and drivers.

X Games will include both formats. If I learn more during the day I will let you know. I think it is still fantastic that after several false starts we will have rallycross here and bringing in new manufacturer teams.

Does this help?

Mark

[rx-guru]

Info I saw was that they plan to do the rally part of X Games 17 on the streets around the Staples Center in Downtown LA rather than in the nearby LA Memorial Coliseum.

[NaBUru38]

Rallycross at the Winter X Games at Aspen will be incredible for sure.

To create better super stage (non-US rally term) designs, check Ken Block's gymkhana. It did feature tight hairpins, but cars were forced to slide because of the longer design. Plus, straights were much longer, and motorsport is all about speed... and braking. The last year's X Games rallycross course was quite good - it just lack a proper left-hand brand.

2011 Torc Series schedule:

April 30-May 1 Cycle Ranch Floresville, TX
May 28-29 Red Bud MX Buchanan, MI
June 18-19 Crandon Off Road Crandon, WI
June 26 Pikes Peak International Colorado Springs, CO
July 22-23 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, NC
August 13-14 Bark River Off Road Bark River, MI
September 3-4 Crandon Off Road Crandon, WI
September 15 Chicagoland Speedway Joliet, IL

[Hickey]

Ken Block can be added to that, right? Surely Andreas Eriksson is racing after all his promoting?

I hope it does well over there, but I dont want it to poach any more of our drivers!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Hickey

Ken Block can be added to that, right? Surely Andreas Eriksson is racing after all his promoting?

I hope it does well over there, but I dont want it to poach any more of our drivers!

Yeah; I wish them the best, but stop nicking our drivers!

I can't remember where I read it, but Block has stated he will only do the rallycross events if he can fit them in; he won't miss any rallies to do them. The first round of the GRC is the same weekend as the Portugal WRC, so I'm pretty sure Block is a no.

[USRallycross]

Yes, Ken won't be competing at Irwindale but should be out when the series moves to Seattle.

Entries are a little thin but that was an expected consequence of moving from the east coast - where the series had about 30 local drivers plus the 10 stars - to the west coast where it hasn't got the same grass roots rally buy-in.

i don't think Andreas will run a car as he has to run Tanner and Marcus and also ship a car there and back. However, I am hoping someone will come out in his Mk6 which is still here (Pinnomaki used it at NJMP).

Also hoping for Subaru Team USA to enter at least Mirra if not Pastrana and also hope that the Mitsubishi's of Hubinette and ACP appear on the list.

As we all know you only need two cars to make a race so we are good and the cameras are ready to roll. Not sure if you will be able to get it in the UK (although you can if you are a geek) but it will also stream live on ESPN3.

Re nicking drivers, who have we stolen? Liam is staying home and Marcus isn't an ERC regular so are we speaking of Jernberg? I had personally hoped that Liam would be here and that someone like Sverre may leave his car but guess Pat buying the old one screwed that up!

Mark
I would put my Twitter account up so you could follow everything on the day but the moderators don't like links so PM me if you want it!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by USRallycross

I would put my Twitter account up so you could follow everything on the day but the moderators don't like links so PM me if you want it!

Mark - we've allowed links to twitter accounts for results posting purposes, so feel free to post the link

[I Rosputnik]

I've asked Liam Doran on his facebook page if is doing any Global Rallycross rounds and he is wanting to do Rounds 2 and 3. I think he is also doing the X-games this year.

Also Michael Jernberg will be racing both the US rallycross season, the global rallycross tour and the X-games in his Skoda.

Still, if I were the organisers I would be aiming for half the rounds in the US and half the rounds in Europe with the X-games as the halo event, provided the dates don't clash with the ERXC or the USRXC.

[rx-guru]

Mark, Pat bought the Focus from Norwegian lady Rallycrosser Camilla Antonsen, who replaced it with a Mk6 Fiesta, so Sverre has nothing to do with that former Focus of his for quite a while already.

[rx-guru]

AFAIK a start in the 'X Games 17' depends on good results in the 3 Global RX rounds in the first place. Innit, Mark?

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

AFAIK a start in the 'X Games 17' depends on good results in the 3 Global RX rounds in the first place. Innit, Mark?

In previous years there have been a handful of drivers who qualify by default based on their previous X-Games success and/or Rally America points position, with the other entrants left to fight for the other places.

Be interesting to see whether X-Games will lean more towards Rally America or GRC success for the automatic placings this year - I'm sure Mark has the answers!