Volkswagen officially claimed its first Red Bull Global Rallycross Manufacturer's Championship after winningSaturday's Red Bull GRC Seattle final with driver Tanner Foust. The victory, the seventh of the year for Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross, ensured an insurmountable seven-point lead in the manufacturer's standings heading into the season-ending Los Angeles doubleheader.
“Volkswagen Motorsport has set the gold standard for participation in Red Bull Global Rallycross over the past few years,” said Red Bull GRC CEO Colin Dyne. “Their commitment to excellence is apparent in every aspect of the Volkswagen Andretti program, from their champion drivers to the vital personnel keeping them on track behind the scenes. We’re fortunate to have Volkswagen as a key partner to our series, and look forward to racing with them for years to come.”
“When we started this program two years ago, our goal was simple: to reach the top of Red Bull Global Rallycross,” said Clark Campbell, Director of Volkswagen Motorsport. “Last year, we were able to take our first Driver's title, but to earn a Manufacturer’s Championship in the series is truly special. Tanner Foust, Scott Speed, and every member of the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team has proven to be championship caliber, and it's an honor to reach this level of achievement against such strong competition. Now we will focus on adding another Driver's Championship this year before defending our Manufacturer’s title in 2017."
Volkswagen Motorsport joined Red Bull GRC in 2014 and has competed in partnership with Andretti Autosport and drivers Foust and Scott Speed. The team won in its debut at Top Gear Festival Barbados with Speed, and debuted its Beetle later that year with Foust at the Port of Los Angeles. Speed finished third in the 2014 championship to set up a title-winning season last year; entering the 2015 season finale, Speed and Foust were the only drivers mathematically eligible for the Supercar title, guaranteeing Volkswagen its first Driver’s Championship.
In 2016, Volkswagen continued its success immediately with Foust sweeping the season opener in Phoenix and adding another victory in Daytona. Speed won three consecutive events leading into Seattle, where Foust grabbed his career-best fourth victory of the season. Volkswagen drivers have led the Red Bull GRC standings from the start of the 2016 season, with Foust and Speed 1-2 in the championship coming into next month’s finale.
About Red Bull Global Rallycross
Created to produce the fastest and most exciting racing in motorsports, Red Bull Global Rallycross pits small production-based cars driven by star drivers against each other in door-to-door racing featuring dirt, asphalt, and table-top jumps. With enhanced engineering and safety features, the cars produce 600 horsepower and can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in less than two seconds, and can also withstand 70-foot jumps and other vehicle contact. For more information visit www.RedBullGlobalRallycross.com.