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Speed Takes Gold Medal In Global Rallycross Season Opener At X Games Brazil

FOZ DO IGUACU, BRAZIL (April 21, 2013) – Making his first-ever Global Rallycross start, Scott Speed took victory in both his heat race and the main event on Sunday at X Games Brazil. Speed gave the #77 Ford Fiesta Star Car from Rdio and OMSE, a new addition to the series in 2013, a victory in its debut, making the winning pass by taking the joker lap through the final corner.

“To win like this, on the last lap, on the last corner, is truly a dream,” said Speed. “It’s spectacular. It’s been such a fun experience. These cars are probably the most fun cars I’ve been able to drive.”

Speed beat fellow OMSE drivers Toomas Heikkinen and Patrik Sandell to the finish, giving Ford a 1-2-3 podium sweep.

“Now we are back in business,” said Heikkinen. “We have the best team, best car, and best equipment.”

“Starting in the very last position in the final and ending up third is just amazing,” said Sandell. “It’s a great start to the season. I’m so happy.”

Heikkinen, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust, and Speed, respectively, won the four heat races, while Ken Block, Travis Pastrana, Steve Arpin, and Anton Marklund advanced by finishing second. Buddy Rice and Sandell transferred to the final from the last chance qualifier.

A major accident at the start of the final led to a red flag after four laps and a restart. Pastrana, Foust, Block, and Rice’s cars were deemed too damaged to continue.

“At the start of the final and in lap four, there were two incidents,” said GRC Official Chip Pankow. “Cars were on the side of the track with drivers inside, one was smoking, and track workers were in harm’s way while trying to assist the drivers and put out a potential fire. It was the Race Director’s call to stop the race.”

Global Rallycross, which debuted at X Games 16 in Los Angeles in 2010, expanded nationally in 2012 and is holding its first international event this weekend. The race is scheduled for this Sunday, April 21, as part of X Games Foz do Iguacu.

Global Rallycross combines the best aspects of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition to deliver intense action in a fan-friendly environment. Global Rallycross pits production-based, small cars against each other for door-to-door racing featuring elements such as dirt, asphalt and jumps. Drivers progress through a series of heat races to advance into a final race, where winner takes all.

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

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