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Seed 9 Rally 2016 Edition

November 11, 2016 by ponycargirl Leave a Comment

 

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November means a return to the Mojave desert for the last rally of the year, Seed 9 Rally Presented by Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall. In what seems to be a new trend, at least in West Coast rally, is the inclusion of UTV’s – and the Seed 9 entry list had two. One driven by third place on last year’s podium, Brent Lee with co-driver Ericka Sacks, and the second was Mihai Gologan – whose co-driver was MIA, but he braved the rough desert stages alone. While there are mixed feelings about including off-road vehicles in traditional rally, there’s no denying that it brings more participants as well as a whole new audience and fan base to the rally scene.

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This year’s entry list shrunk considerably from last year’s, mostly due to many of the usual teams having had a rough time at Prescott the previous month and not being able to get the car back into rally shape for Seed 9. The convention of Elvis impersonators were also sadly missing. Still, coinciding with SEMA week works in its favor with teams in town that may not normally run a car in this regional rally, and All Fours Rally Team signed on with Agatino Fortunato and Randy Biehl in Super Pro (Subaru WRX STI) as well as Cameron Steely and Preston Osborn (Ford Fiesta ST). There was even an international driver – ZiYong Xu arrived with a large cheering posse that perhaps for the first time ever gave Seed 9 actual spectators other than of the region’s wild horses. Seed 9 organizers had found him a co-driver in John Dillon who not only has a deep rally resume, but also speaks a bit of Mandarin.

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Eight is enough for the rally to be run so the cars drove out of the Gold Strike parking lot, past the suddenly famous Pioneer Saloon under the watchful eye Goodpsring’s patrol car, and onto the dirt and gravel of Wilson Pass Road. All teams survived the four stages – one or two almost-offs, but everyone was able to re-start and continue.

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After service, teams drove out to the two night stages – Ivanpah Valley West and East – right by the casino. It was here where one team’s luck ran out. Watching from downstage a quarter mile away, the headlights of Steely’s Ford Fiesta ST started making their way on the road. Suddenly, the headlights were pointing up in the air, then red taillights whipped around way higher than taillights ever should. A few minutes later, the next car came through – fortunately, everyone was fine.

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Congratulations to overall winner Matt Coffman of Formula D with co-driver Blake Lind for the second year in a row, Xu/Dillon in second and Fortunato/Biehl third.







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Jeff Ward is SH Rallycross’s New GRC Driver

May 3, 2016 by ponycargirl Leave a Comment

With the Bull Global Rallycross season opener fast approaching May 21-22 in Phoenix, Arizona, silly season has become serious. Today Jeff Ward and SH Rallycross announced that he will be driving the #07 Ford Fiesta ST sponsored by MET-Rx in eight races in 2016. In previous GRC seasons, the #07 car was piloted by Nelson Piquet Jr. While at publication time we haven’t heard anything official from Piquet, the natural assumption is that he will be concentrating his efforts in the nascent Formula e series as he is gone from the Red Bull GRC website roster. However, Ward brings a formidable competitive edge to rallycross, including seven AMA motocross championship wins and an Indycar win in 2002 at Texas Motor Speedway. He competed at the Daytona double header and Washington DC in 2015, filling in for Brian Deegan.

Jeff Ward

Jeff Ward

Patrik Sandell has signed on for a second year with Bryan Herta Rallysport. Also piloting a Ford Fiesta ST, this will be the Swede’s fourth year competing in GRC. He had one win in Detroit in 2015 and four podium finishes.

Supercar Podium Sunday

Detroit 2015

Sandell, Washington DC 2015

There are a few more newcomers to Lites:

  • 15 year-old Cole Keatts will compete on the OMSE team with a background in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the JR2 Kart championship
  • Cabot Bigham joined Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, coming to GRC from FCC Pro Formula Mazda
  • Travis Pecoy and Christian Brooks join AF Racing
  • Jackie Heinricher is noticeably back off the roster, concentrating on driving a Lamborghini in the Super Trofeo series – leaving Collete Davis the sole female competitor.

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Las Vegas – The 2015 Red Bull GRC Championship Rallycross Silly Season is Almost Over – Almost Chip Ganassi Racing Adds Rallycross Team Racer Jackie Returns to GRC Lites, Formula D Back in Irwindale Red Bull GRC Heading to the Jersey Shore

Andreas Bakkerud Joins Hoonigan

January 20, 2016 by ponycargirl Leave a Comment

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Photo: FIA World Rallycross Media

Tuesday, Ken Block teased fans via social media that one person from a list including Petter Solberg, Lewis Hamiton, Jeremy Clarkson, Sebastian Loeb, Joey Logano, Tanner Foust, and Andreas Bakkerud would be leaving their team to join the Hoonigan Racing Team. The most logical pick of the bunch would be Bakkerud.

Indeed, the 24 year old Norwegian just announced today that after two seasons driving a Fiesta ST with the Olsbergs MSE team (finishing 4th and 5th in 2014 and 2015, respectively), he would be joining Ken Block for the 2016 FIA World Rallycross season in the number 13 M-Sport Ford Fiesta.

“I think that working with Ken and his team in 2016 is really going to help me elevate my driving even further, plus I’ve always admired the way they handle exposing and marketing themselves both on and off event. I think this whole thing is an incredible opportunity not only for myself behind the wheel this year, but to learn and develop myself for the future as well. I can’t wait for the season to start! Thanks again to Ken and his team for this dream opportunity,” said Bakkerud.

The young driver won the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 2011 and 2012 in the Super 1600 class, both years driving a different Renault. In 2013 he competed for the first time in Supercar as a privateer in a Citroën DS3.

Ken Block recently confirmed his commitment to a full FIA World RX schedule in 2016.

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Ken Block creates the Mother of all bikini girl passenger videos

July 18, 2014 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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Somehow I know that I am going to be thrashed upon by some of my female colleagues for sharing this one, but OMG!

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Lucky Fiesta ST driver at The Ring somehow avoids massive crash

May 7, 2014 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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Yesterday we saw a perfect example of what happens when the driver of a front wheel drive machine lifts off the throttle mid corner, panics and drills the brakes. Today, we have another public lapping participant at the Nurburgring who with a bit of patience and a lot of luck, manages not to hit anything with his precious Ford Fiesta ST after running a bit wide at the exit of a previous turn.
[Read more…]

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Crazy Leo enjoys successful first WRC event in Portugal

April 7, 2014 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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Crazy Leo Urlichich, the Canadian rally driver who came by his nickname thanks to his wild driving style, has successfully completed his first ever WRC event, in Portugal. Taking part in a driver search program called the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy, saw the fan focused driver trading his signature orange and black Subaru for a front wheel drive Ford Fiesta.

Saying that the competition at an FIA World Rally Championship event is stiff would be stiff is somewhat redundant, but the DMACK Fiesta Trophy itself features some tough competitors including Max Vatanen, son of rally legend Ari Vatanen.
[Read more…]

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Massive rally crash caused by missing roof vent!

March 16, 2012 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

We’ve all seen the funky scoops that rally teams use to draw in fresh air to keep the humans cool, but who knew the scoops perform another, more safety related function. These scoops allow air to enter the car, while maintaining positive air pressure that prevents dust clouds from entering the car.

During the recent WRC round in Mexico, Ford driver Evgeny Novikov lost his roof scoop when he clipped a fence or some such obstacle. The resultant dust storm inside the car caused a rather massive crash and a Fiesta RS in kit form.

Check it out after the jump…
[Read more…]

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Review: Ford Fiesta

April 14, 2011 by Tom Williams 1 Comment

It only took a global recession and gas costing over $4.00 a gallon, but finally, automakers are embracing the subcompact. Not that this is a new segment-we’ve seen cars this size for decades. What is different this time around is that these are actual, real cars. Not just an afterthought. Buying an inexpensive subcompact used to mean purchasing the automotive equivalent of a penalty box-a crude implement that offered nothing in the way of style, comfort, or, (gasp!) fun at the wheel.

Ford has been here before-remember the Aspire from the 1990’s? Of course not. This time around, North American buyers are now getting a taste of the Fords we have longed for from Europe. The Fiesta is a true global car, and this is good news. Ford has been building exceptional small cars for years, they just haven’t been selling them here. All that changes with the Fiesta. How does the tiniest Ford fare in this growing market? Read on!

[Read more…]

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Craigslist find of the day: Ken Block’s wheels!

September 15, 2010 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

Ever wanted a true piece of motorsport memorabilia? How about a set of mildly used wheels from Ken Block’s WRC spec Fiesta? They would make a perfect…ummm…something. Lopsided coffee table perhaps?

Here is the seller’s description:

FOR SALE: Two slightly used 18-inch Volk Racing TE37 rims painted Monster Energy green with distinct DC Shoes logo on contrast painted spoke. Never been curbed! These are RARE and very special wheels! Only driven for 5 miles!!!!!!! May need new tires, about 3% tread left on Pirelli P-Zero. Will fit 2011 Ford Fiesta.

Buyer must pay shipping from France. Moving! MUST sell before 9/14.

Shoot me an offer, also down to barter.

Something tells me this is a joke, but if true, some gearhead skater boy might actually snap these up.

Not sure how they got so scruffy looking? You’d better visit here.

Ed note: It would seem that this scoop is no scoop at all and that perhaps your humble editor should spend more time reading and less time taking photos. The good folks at Jalopnik noticed this ad last week and began work on deciphering the code hidden within the ad. Then, the folks at team DC GYM3 verified that they were indeed behind the prank.

Oh yeah – one more thing. I won’t be spending less time at the track!

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Gymkhana THREE is finally revealed

September 15, 2010 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

Following a buildup period outdone only by Gran Tourismo 5, Ken Block has finally revealed Gymkhana THREE. The Gymkhana series began way back in 2008, when Block stunned the gearhead world with the craziest, smokiest car video that had ever been seen. In 2009, he raised the bar with number 2 and kept the fans watching.

With the switch from Subaru to Ford, DC Shoes’ master of extreme promotion had to knock one out of the park with number 3. The smoky tire burning drifts are taken to extremes and the new location brings the Gymkhana series to new heights. Literally.

Video after the break.
[Read more…]

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