Champion rallycross driver to battle for Americas Rallycross title
Tanner Foust is taking on a new challenge this year in the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle. The multi-time champion will campaign the Americas Rallycross series, while also bringing his new Drift Taxi to enthusiast events.
The Americas Rallycross series opens in Britain this weekend as part of the Speedmachine event at Silverstone. Foust says he's excited to make his return to competition overseas.
"Rallycross has half a century of history in Europe and it's always great to have a chance to race there," said Foust. "I started my rallycross career in the United Kingdom before the sport even existed in the USA and the knowledge and enthusiasm of the fans brings an incredible amount of energy at the track."
Foust started competing in rallycross with a handful of European events in 2010 and was one of the founding drivers in the U.S. series. By 2011, he was a regular contender for the top of the podium in Europe, and was the first American ever to win a round. In the United States, he is a three-time champion (2010, 2011, 2012).
In 2018, Foust continues his relationship with the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross squad and will again partner with Scott Speed on the two-car team.
After Silverstone, the series is expected to join FIA World Rallycross stops at Trois-Rivieres in Canada on August 4-5, and the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on September 29-30. An additional date is planned for July at Circuit of the Americas.
Outside of the Americas Rallycross championship weekends, it is expected that one more rallycross date in the United States will give Foust and his team another chance to face off against a host of top talents. Additional details about that exciting event will be available in the coming weeks.
The versatile driver also plans a return to his roots in drifting this year, with appearances in the Volkswagen Passat R Drift Taxi at two #Gridlife events.
The Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Volkswagen Passat R drift machine originally debuted in 2015 for a select series of competitions. The vehicle, which produces an astonishing 900 nitrous-boosted horsepower from its V8 engine, has recently undergone a passenger conversion to outfit it with back seats. It now seats four.
Lucky Nexen N'Fera Club members and other special guests will be offered the rare chance to experience ride-alongs with Foust in the Drift Taxi. The multi-sensory experience delivers smoky sideways thrills accompanied by the keening wail of the vehicle's distinctive supercar exhaust note.
"Giving people the chance to experience what it's like to be in a high-performance car always puts a smile on my face," said Foust. "Having a passenger screaming and laughing beside me while I chuck a car into a corner sideways at 80 mph is as much fun for me as it is for them."
#Gridlife events are a celebration of music and automotive enthusiast culture featuring live entertainment alongside on-track action from a wide range of disciplines.
In the off-season, Foust has been keeping his reflexes sharp in Forza Motorsport 7. A recent ForzaRC 2018 challenge offered gamers the chance to win in-game prizes by racing Foust (GamerTag: SweetTFoust34) and his Volkswagen Beetle.
2018 Schedule*
Americas Rallycross - Silverstone Circuit, UK: May 25-27
#Gridlife Midwest - Gingerman Raceway, South Haven, MI June 8-10
Americas Rallycross - Circuit of the Americas: Austin, TX - July (TBC)
Americas Rallycross - Trois Rivieres, Canada: August 4-5
#Gridlife South - Road Atlanta, Georgia: August 25-27
Americas Rallycross - Circuit of the Americas: Austin, TX - September 29-30
*Subject to Change