Scott Speed (USA) is the new champion of the Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) series in the USA. A podium finish in the final race of the season in Las Vegas was sufficient to earn Speed the title at the wheel of the Volkswagen Beetle GRC.
Speed followed a victory in the heats with a win in the semi-final, before starting the final from pole position. He then produced a measured race – heavy rainfall had transformed the circuit in the heart of the American metropolis into an ice rink – to finish third in the final. Volkswagen ended its first season with the Beetle GRC in second place in the Manufacturer Championship.
“Winning the title at the first attempt in the first full Red Bull Global Rallycross season with the Beetle is a fantastic success for Volkswagen,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito.
“The Beetle showed what it was capable of, particularly in the second half of the season. It boasts an impressive record. The Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Team and our technicians in Germany worked perfectly together. It is always a very close affair in Global Rallycross, and the races are fiercely-competitive. That makes us all the happier to have won the title. I would obviously also like to say a big thank you to our drivers Scott Speed and Tanner Foust. They have had a great season and pushed each other to outstanding performances. Congratulations, in particular, to Scott on his thoroughly deserved Driver title.”
“I am absolutely delighted with this title. It is an indescribable feeling,” said Speed after the final. “The Volkswagen Beetle GRC is a fantastic car. I would like to thank everyone at the Volkswagen Andretti team. This success would not have been possible without their outstanding effort. It has been a long season, and we were always confident that the Beetle is a natural born winner. We worked hard to come through the tricky period at the start of the season, and came away with the title.”
Speed’s team-mate Tanner Foust (USA) dropped back through the field following a collision in the final, eventually crossing the finish line in ninth place. He ultimately finished third in the championship.
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