NASCAR Driver Austin Dyne Makes Global Rallycross Debut July 11 Piloting New GRC Lites Spec Car At Inaugural New Hampshire Global Rallycross Lites Event

LOUDON, N.H., July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 11, 20-year-old NASCAR driver Austin Dyne will take the wheel of a new Royal Purple backed GRC Lites car when the series debuts at New Hampshire Speedway.  The race marks the inaugural event for the new GRC Lites series, a tightly controlled "spec" class, designed with an emphasis on driver skill.  "We want to provide a place for our next generation of star drivers," said GRC Founder Chip Pankow. "The GRC Lites class is the perfect training ground for any driver who wants to get started in rallycross and it will provide them exposure to all of our fans."

Driver Austin Dyne

"I'm very excited to have this opportunity to drive the new GRC Lites car at New Hampshire," said Dyne.  "My NASCAR exposure to lots of horsepower, together with my extensive go-kart and open wheel experience has provided me a good foundation of car control talents that should make the transition to all wheel racing a lot smoother for me.  It looks like the guys are having a great time out there."

Background

Austin Dyne is not your typical 20-year-old racer who grew up on the dirt tracks of America. His career began early in life, as he grew up racing karts and open wheel cars. It wasn't until his late teen years that he began driving stock cars with a focus on racing NASCAR at the highest level.

Growing up in Malibu, California, Austin's interests are that of a true Southern California native. During his time away from the racetrack, he enjoys surfing and snowboarding, depending on the time of year.

Austin feels that the individuals in his life and the personal experiences they have shared together have really formed who he is as a person. He boasts that his two most prized possessions are the watches his grandfathers gave him and his main priority is his commitment to charitable efforts for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  He also recounts the memorable times he spent with Dan Wheldon and the mentoring of Indy Car owner Bryan Herta and driver Townsend Bell.

In 2012, the first of many personal milestones for Austin was achieved in winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Rookie of the Year honors. While his focus is one day to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, he firmly understands that there is still plenty of work to be done to reach his ultimate goal.  Austin will be moving to Charlotte in 2013 to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.      

Global Rallycross Lites Series

Built by top rallycross preparer OlsbergsMSE, the Lites produce 310 HP, just over half the power of the top Supercar vehicles and are designed to be more manageable for developing star drivers.  The cars are purpose-built racers that are fast, nimble, and exciting to watch. They are all-wheel drive and capable of handling the jumps, door-to-door combat and surface changes of a typical rallycross course. The class will run as a support series on the same courses as the Supercars at all US GRC events, with the Last Chance Qualifiers and Finals expected to run immediately before the main Supercar races.

"The racing is going to be close, since all cars conform to the same specification, and driving talent will be the deciding factor in these races," said OlsbergsMSE CEO Andreas Eriksson, who worked with GRC to develop the class. "There is no better place than GRC Lites competitions to learn the sport." 

"GRC Lites continues the growth of Global Rallycross and will provide the perfect venue for drivers to hone their rallycross skills infront of our thousands of spectators," said GRC CEO Colin Dyne.

About Global Rallycross:

Global Rallycross Championship (GRC) features the world's top action sport athletes and combines them with the best elements of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition to deliver intense action in a variety of fan-friendly environments.  Action sport stars including Travis Pastrana, Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan, Dave Mirra, Buck Lasik, Marcus Gronholm and Ken Block have described the sport as "motocross – with a roll cage."

For additional information, please contact:

Ted Quackenbush 
503-554-0136 office 
503-314-4633 mobile
[email protected]
You can also follow Austin Dyne via twitter @austindyne

SOURCE Global Rallycross