Swedish rally and rallycross legend Per Eklund and 2011 MSA British RallyCross Vice-Champion Andy Scott have announced an exciting new racing partnership to mount their USA assault on the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship (GRC).
 
Scott Trawlers of Dumfries teamed with Eklund Motorsport will field a pair of four wheel drive Saab 9-3s in the Unlimited class across the seven-round series, two of which will be held at the world-famous Summer X Games.
 
Scott, who will also drive the first Scott-Eklund Racing entry, will attend Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham (UK), on Friday, January 13, to talk about the team’s GRC 2012 plans for the first time.
 
A British schoolboy Motocross Champion at the age of 16, Scott also won the 1977 Jersey Hillclimb before taking a sabbatical from the sport to pursue business interests. Since his racing return five years ago, the 54 year-old has rapidly climbed the British and European rally and rallycross ranks.
 
In 2009, Scott made his MSA British Rallycross debut in the RX150 class before moving up to the Supercar category the following year where he finished a credible fourth overall and also won the 2010 Rallycross Superprix at Knockhill.
 
Continuing his impressive rise through the field, Scott took second in the 2011 Quaife MSA British Rallycross Championship while a third place podium finish in the 2011 FIA European Rallycross Championship round in Holland sealed 11th in the season standings.
 
One of the world’s most accomplished rally and rallycross drivers, Eklund’s remarkable achievements span 47 years at the pinnacle of the sport. A multiple European, British and Swedish Champion across both disciplines, Eklund’s Saab foundations stretch back 15 years.
 
In 1997 Eklund built the manufacturers’ first rallycross car in which he took the Swedish title the same year and the European Rallycross spoils in 1999. Crowned Swedish Rallycross Champion again only last year, Eklund is also a renowned force to be reckoned with in the USA where he took Pikes Peak glory on his debut in 2000, a feat he repeated in 2002, once again aboard a Saab 9-3.
 
With Scott-Eklund Racing’s GRC 2012 entries set to feature a two-litre turbo engine built by Eklund’s long-term partners Trollspeed, transmission supplied by Sellholm, and Öhlins suspension, it’s no surprise that the team’s second entry has attracted significant interest with enquiries already received from British and American drivers.
 
Featuring top personalities including Ken Block, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust, Travis Pastrana and Marcus Grönholm, the Global RallyCross Championship is a new sport combining the best elements of rallycross and the X Games, presenting an unrivalled competition platform.
 
Offering high-flying extreme competition between cars that are relevant to the youth market, the series will boast live primetime broadcasts through ESPN, promising worldwide exposure for the unique new series. The seven round event calendar will be staged across major market areas throughout the USA, with the aim of targeting today’s millennial customers.
 
In 2013, the Global RallyCross Championship is set to add the Winter X Games to the calendar and expand with additional rounds to cover all corners of the world.
 
Andy Scott, Scott-Eklund Racing Team Principal and driver:
 
“It’s an honour to be teaming up with one of the legends of our sport. Per’s years of experience racing all over the world will be invaluable to the team while of course the Saab 9-3 has a proven pedigree, especially in Per’s hands.
 
“Being part of a new series in the USA which is sure to grow on a global scale is very exciting. But with such an unrivalled pedigree of drivers already confirmed, without doubt it will be a challenging year. Regardless, we have the passion and the expertise in place to really make an impact in the States and months of planning is finally coming to fruition.
 
“We have had a lot of interest in the second car from several European and American drivers. Our aim is to have that seat signed as soon as possible while our official championship entry will be registered when the final regulations and event venues are confirmed, hopefully within the next few weeks.
 
“In the meantime, I will be attending Autosport International on Friday to talk about the team’s plans and firm-up sponsorship and partnerships before heading to the USA later this month.”
 
Per Eklund, Eklund Motorsport:
 
“I’ve competed all across the world on every level, and I can see that the Global RallyCross Championship will be fantastic. Of course, it will be a tough new challenge but with the TV exposure and link with the X Games there is great potential for the future, particularly to raise the profile of rallycross on a global scale.
 
“Andy and I have a great, open relationship. He is like a brother to me and we work like a family. He is a talented and tough driver, one of the best. From when I first saw Andy in action at the first European Rallycross race at Lydden Hill last year, I felt he has great potential.
 
“I have done everything and raced everywhere. Now it’s time for something new. I went to some of the GRC events last year and learnt a lot, so I know what’s going on. The driver entry list is unbelievable so the level of competition will be really strong.
 
“Running the Saab 9-3 with invaluable support from Trollspeed, Sellholm and Öhlins, we already have a fantastic team package in place and I expect Andy to create quite a stir in the States.
 
“Eklund Motorsport and Scott Trawlers have formed a fantastic partnership and we are ready to work hard and have a lot of fun in the process.”
 

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