GRC Adds Star Car To 2013 Lineup; Scott Speed To Drive In Brazil

LOS ANGELES, April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Rallycross is all about introducing new and forward-thinking elements to race competition. In the spirit of that innovation, Global Rallycross announces the implementation of the Star Car, a competitive twist for Global Rallycross. To debut the Star Car at the X Games in Foz do Iguacu, Global Rallycross has brought Scott Speed on board to take the wheel.

"The Star Car idea was sparked initially as a means to create an element of surprise and suspense for both fans and drivers at each of the nine Global Rallycross events this season," said Colin Dyne, Global Rallycross CEO. "But as the idea has become a reality for Global Rallycross, it is an exceptional element that allows for talented drivers like Scott Speed to get a taste of what Global Rallycross really has to offer."

In each race of the 2013 season, Global Rallycross will select the Star Car driver who will compete against the regular field of Global Rallycross drivers, each bringing a different quality to the series.

For Speed, Global Rallycross selected him to debut the Star Car in Brazil because of his personality, driving ability and his overall fit for Global Rallycross. Speed has raced across the globe, winning two European Formula Renault championships before driving 28 races in Formula 1 in 2006 and 2007. Since transitioning to stock car racing, he has won in the Craftsman Truck Series and spent five seasons at the Sprint Cup level.

"I've always been open to looking for other racing series I can try," said Speed. "So when this thing came up, obviously the series has grown, it's gotten bigger and bigger, and I've always had my eye on this series and how it's coming. And when the first race was on one of the off weekends that I had, I immediately began working on something to be able to try it."

The Star Car will be run by OMSE2, a satellite operation of defending GRC champions OlsbergsMSE. The Star Car will be the same model of Ford Fiesta that took four race victories and the top two spots in last year's GRC standings. The Star Car will make its debut at Global X Games in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, on April 21.

For more information on Global Rallycross, please log on to www.global-rallycross.com. For all media requests, please contact Kate Osborne [email protected]. Check out Global Rallycross Championship at facebook.com/globalrallycross and on twitter: @globalrallyx.

SOURCE Global Rallycross