X Games Brazil 2013: Rallycross Preview

After much anticipation, the X Games have kicked off in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil in spectacular style.  The events have been held at the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant, near the Iguaçu Falls.  Overhead shots of the competition area in relation to the surrounding area are nothing short of stunning.  As is the almost all-dirt rallycross circuit, that the drivers finally sunk their teeth into yesterday.  Although they were only allowed a few hours collectively, each team made the most of their small slice of practice time.  Another practice session today will be their last chance to work any issues with the cars, before the big event on Sunday April 21^st (12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST).  Here’s a video blog episode from X Games rookie, Sweden’s Patrik Sandell (formerly of the WRC) run about his experience:

The GRC’s 2013 Season Preview announces the driver list that’s chock full of the usual suspects, for example: the Lord of the Hoonigans, Ken Block; two-time champion, Top Gear host and Hot Wheels’ Team Yellow driver, Tanner Foust; and of course, X Games veterans like Travis Pastrana and Brian Deegan.  However, there are some new drivers eager to take on the role of David against the sport’s Goliaths.

2013 Drivers:

#32 Steve Arpin
Loenbro Ford Fiesta
OMSE2

#43 Ken Block
Monster Energy/DC Shoes Ford Fiesta ST Hoonigan Racing Division

#38 Brian Deegan aka “The General”
Rockstar Energy/Makita Ford Fiesta ST
OlsbergsMSE

#33 Liam Doran aka “The British Bomb”
Monster Energy/Traxxas Citroen DS3
Motor Sport Ltd.

#34 Tanner Foust
Rockstar Energy/Eneos Oil Ford Fiesta ST
OlsbergsMSE

#57 Toomas “Topi” Heikkinen
Bluebeam Ford Fiesta ST
OlsbergsMSE

#11 Sverre Isachsen aka “The Viking”
PUMA Subaru WRX STi
Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team

#81 Bucky Lasek
PUMA Subaru WRX STi
Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team

#99 Bryce Menzies
Red Bull/America’s Tire Dodge Dart
Pastrana Racing

#44 Dave Mirra aka “Miracle Boy”
PUMA Subaru WRX STi
Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team

#199 Travis Pastrana
Red Bull/Discount Tire Dodge Dart
Pastrana Racing

#18 Patrik Sandell
Ford EcoBoost Ford Fiesta ST
OlsbergsMSE

#92 Anton Marklund
Volkswagen Polo
Marklund Motorsport

#29 Buddy Rice
Volkswagen Polo
Marklund Motorsport

Particular attention should be given to the invited athletes for this round:

Nelson Piquet Jr.
Mitsubishi Evo
X Team Racing

Mauricio Neves
Peugeot 207 Rally Fighter
XRC Team Brasil

Eduardo Marques Jr.
Peugeot 207
XRC Team Brasil

Scott Speed
Star Car
OMSE2

Like the GRC regulars, all have a list of credentials as long as Shaq’s arm, but they’re essentially rallycross virgins.  Despite that, I believe their presence adds some extra spice to the competition; in addition to, opening the door for drivers from other racing series to freely test the rallycross waters.  Hey now, I didn’t say that rallycross isn’t spicy enough!  If rubbin’s racing, then rallycross certainly qualifies.  However, there’s a new feature that should keep it from degenerating into a demolition derby: the penalty box.

The official explanation is as follows:

“The Penalty Box is a new addition to GRC for the 2013 season, and is designed to deal with on-track infractions without having to red flag or restart the race. In event of a jump start or rough driving, offenders will pull into a 50 meter lane off track, where they will be held until a track official releases them.” – GRC 2013 Season Preview

I can’t wait to see how that’s going to work but I’m pretty sure that whoever breaks the rules, is going to have a really bad day.  However, it does well in sports car racing to keep the testosterone in check.  It’s good to see that they’re trying to establish a code of conduct, especially in a sport where bumping your competitors around turns, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  At the same time, they should remember that this is X Games.  It’s about having fun while beating your friends and rivals.  Boundaries help to keep the drivers safe and the competition fair.  However, it shouldn’t get so restrictive that drivers get penalised for minor infractions.  Nobody ever wants to see somebody lose a championship that way.  We’ll follow along and let you know how it all turned out. As always, when we know, you’ll know here at My Life at Speed.

Photo Credit: ESPN/X Games