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Global Rallycross
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Global Rallycross (known as Red Bull Global Rallycross for sponsorship reasons) was a rallycross series operated by businessmen Colin Dyne in conjunction with Sponsor RedBull. The series ran for seven seasons, primarily in North America, from 2011 to 2017.
Key Information
History
[edit]
Following Rallycross's inclusion in the 2010 Los Angeles X Games, three demonstration events were held in late 2010 at the New Jersey Motorsports Park, and Global Rallycross Management organized their first championship season of five events in 2011. Tanner Foust won the inaugural championship title in 2011. He retained the title again in 2012.
In addition to promoting the series, Global Rallycross Management managed invitations and competition for X Games Rallycross contests.
In 2013, the series held races outside the United States for the first time. Later in the season, it introduced the Lites division, a developmental series. Making its debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Joni Wiman was the inaugural champion after winning all six races.[1]
On October 28, 2016, the series announced the formation of an electric racing division.[2]
In 2018 Global Rallycross ceased operations.
Format
[edit]Qualifying
[edit]Qualifying was conducted over the course of one hour. The field was broken up into small groups that took to the track in 10-minute sessions. Seeding for heat races was determined by a driver's qualifying lap time.
Heats
[edit]A race weekend consisted of one or two rounds of heats that count for championship points, as well as a semifinal. The heats always consisted of three sessions of four or five cars each, while the semifinals consisted of two sessions of six or more cars each. In the case of an event with only one round of heats, such as a doubleheader race, points were awarded in the semifinal, but not otherwise.
The top three finishers in the semifinals transferred into the main event, giving their teams time to work on their cars while others continue to compete. All drivers who do not make it into the main event via the semifinals would compete in the last chance qualifier for the final four remaining qualifying spots. Ten cars then compete in the main event.
Start
[edit]Races began with a standing start, where drivers are given 30- and 10-second intervals before the green. During that time they must activate launch systems, including an anti-lag system, before starting the race. The fastest driver in the previous session was given the inside lane to the first corner.
Joker lap
[edit]Each course was equipped with two routes: the main route, and the joker lap route, which each driver must only take once per race. The GRC joker lap route typically shortened the length of the track significantly (while in the FIA World Rallycross Championship the JL detour is longer than the main route, to slow the cars down for a minimum of two seconds), so when a driver takes the joker lap can affect their race strategy. Depending on the venue, the joker lap route may have additional obstacles which significantly slow the cars thus making the main route faster. In mid season 2015, GRC made some changes to the joker lap, where drivers were not allowed to take the joker lap on the first lap.
Penalty box
[edit]The penalty box was a new addition to series for the 2013 season, and was designed to deal with on-track infractions without having to red flag or restart the race. In event of a jump start or unsportsmanlike driving, the penalised driver would pull into a 50-metre lane off track, where they would be held until a track official releases them. The penalty box was first used at the first event at X Games Brazil, when Nelson Piquet Jr. jump-started at the beginning of Heat 2.
Championship points
[edit]As of 2014, championship points were awarded only to drivers who had committed to running at least half of the season. Under that point system, one-off drivers were skipped over when points were awarded; for example, if the race winner was not eligible to earn points, the event runner-up would earn first place points. Points were awarded at the conclusion of the event to eligible finishers as follows:
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th and below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
In addition, points were awarded in all rounds of heats and semifinals. First place earned five points, second place earned four points, and so on through fifth place and below, which earn one point. Only drivers who were disqualified from a heat or fail to pull to the starting grid did not receive points for their heats. On race weekends with three rounds of heats, the third round solely determined starting spots in the main event and did not award points.
At the end of the season, the driver to score the most points was crowned Global Rallycross champion. The top two cars per manufacturer also scored points in the manufacturer's championship.
Champions
[edit]Supercar Class
[edit]| Season | Driver Series | Championship for Manufacturers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | Team | Car | Manufacturer | Car | |
| 2011 |  Tanner Foust
|
 Olsbergs MSE Ford Racing
|
Ford Fiesta | not held | |
| 2012 | Tanner Foust
|
Olsbergs MSE Ford Racing
|
Ford Fiesta | ||
| 2013 |  Toomas Heikkinen
|
Olsbergs MSE Ford Racing
|
Ford Fiesta ST | Ford
|
Ford Fiesta ST |
| 2014 | Joni Wiman
|
Olsbergs MSE Ford Racing
|
Ford Fiesta ST | Ford
|
Ford Fiesta ST |
| 2015 | Scott Speed
|
Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross
|
Volkswagen Beetle | Ford
|
Ford Fiesta ST |
| 2016 | Scott Speed
|
Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross
|
Volkswagen Beetle |  Volkswagen
|
Volkswagen Beetle |
| 2017 | Scott Speed
|
Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross
|
Volkswagen Beetle | Volkswagen
|
Volkswagen Beetle |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Leone, Chris (July 11, 2015). "TODAY IN GRC HISTORY: JULY 11". Global Rallycross. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Red Bull Global Rallycross Adding Electric Racing for 2018". Yahoo! Sports. October 28, 2016. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ "Red Bull Global Rallycross Changes Race Format, Increases Points On Offer". New England Sports Network. April 20, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
Global Rallycross
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History
Origins and Launch
Global Rallycross originated from the inclusion of rallycross as a motorsport discipline in the 2010 X Games in Los Angeles, where high-profile drivers like Travis Pastrana and Tanner Foust showcased the format's intense, mixed-surface racing to American audiences, sparking widespread interest in the discipline.[7][8] This exposure built on rallycross's established European roots, dating back to 1967, but aimed to adapt the sport for U.S. spectators by emphasizing shorter, high-action races on compact tracks combining dirt and asphalt to enhance accessibility and excitement.[1][9] Following the X Games success, three demonstration rallycross events were organized in late 2010 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, serving as precursors to a formal championship and further popularizing the format through live action and celebrity driver participation.[10][11] These events were spearheaded by Global Rallycross Management, founded in 2009 by Brian Gale and Chip Pankow, who envisioned a North American series blending European rallycross traditions with entertainment-focused modifications like brief heat races and finals to appeal to broader crowds.[12][10] The inaugural official season launched in 2011 with four events across venues in California, Washington, and Colorado, exclusively featuring the Supercar class with modified production vehicles powered by high-output engines for competitive parity.[13][14] Key to the series' early visibility was a broadcasting partnership with ESPN, which aired the races live or in highlights, positioning Global Rallycross as an accessible alternative to traditional circuit racing and helping to establish its foothold in the U.S. motorsport landscape.[15][16]Expansion and Peak
Following the inaugural seasons, Global Rallycross experienced significant growth from 2012 to 2015, expanding its calendar from six events in 2012 to nine in 2013, ten in 2014, and a record twelve in 2015, which included double-headers to heighten competition and fan engagement.[17][18][19] A key development in 2013 was the introduction of the GRC Lites class, a spec series built by Olsbergs MSE for $85,000 per car, aimed at providing an affordable entry point for up-and-coming and younger drivers to develop skills in a controlled environment emphasizing driver talent over equipment differences.[20][21] The series broadened its international reach during this period, with events like the 2013 season opener at X Games Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and the 2014 opener on the beach in Bridgetown, Barbados, drawing diverse crowds and showcasing the format's adaptability to global venues.[18][22] Viewership peaked in 2015, with NBC and NBCSN broadcasts averaging 267,000 viewers across 21 telecasts, a 7% increase from 250,000 in 2014, bolstered by live coverage that highlighted the series' high-energy action.[23] Celebrity drivers like Ken Block, whose viral stunts and wins amplified media buzz, further elevated the profile, with his 2015 victories in events like Fort Lauderdale contributing to sold-out attendances and widespread social media traction.[24][25] Technological innovation marked the era's close, as series organizers announced plans in late 2016 for an all-electric class to debut in 2018, reflecting forward-thinking sustainability efforts initiated amid the 2015 season's momentum.[26] Competitive fields thrived with participation from multiple manufacturers, including Ford's Fiesta program with Olsbergs MSE, Subaru's factory-supported Impreza entries from 2012 onward, and Volkswagen's Andretti-backed Polo effort starting in 2014, fostering intense rivalries and diverse engineering approaches across the seasons.[27][21][28]Decline and Discontinuation
Following its peak in 2015, Global Rallycross encountered significant financial and organizational challenges that eroded its stability. The series accumulated substantial unpaid debts to venues and service providers, including a $76,000 sanctioning fee for the 2015 Detroit event at Belle Isle that was never fully settled, as well as only partial payment of $7,000 out of a larger owed amount to Connecticut's Thompson Speedway.[29][30] These issues stemmed from mismanagement and overextension, with reports of lawsuits from vendors alleging abusive treatment and non-payment for services rendered during events.[31] The heavy reliance on title sponsor Red Bull exacerbated the problem, as waning manufacturer commitments—such as Subaru's abrupt withdrawal ahead of the 2018 season—further strained resources and led to the exit of key Supercar teams.[32][31] In response to these pressures, the 2016 and 2017 seasons shifted focus almost exclusively to domestic U.S. circuits, with a 10-event calendar in 2016 and a 12-event calendar in 2017 but with diminished international appeal and growing reports of declining attendance.[33][34] An attempt to revitalize interest came in October 2016 with the announcement of a new all-electric racing division set to debut in 2018, positioned as a forward-looking class to capitalize on rising e-mobility trends and attract automaker involvement.[26] However, the initiative failed to materialize, undermined by the series' mounting financial instability and inability to secure necessary partnerships or infrastructure.[35] The 2017 season marked the final full year of competition, with Scott Speed clinching the Supercar championship for the third consecutive time in a hard-fought finale at the Port of Los Angeles, finishing ahead of rival Tanner Foust by a narrow margin.[36] Despite this on-track success, off-track woes intensified, culminating in the discontinuation of operations by Global Rallycross LLC in April 2018, just before the planned season opener.[2] The closure left a legacy of unresolved debts totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars and multiple legal disputes.[37] This downturn unfolded against a broader evolution in the motorsport landscape, where intensifying competition from international rallycross formats and the rise of alternative racing disciplines fragmented sponsor and manufacturer investments, making it harder for niche series like Global Rallycross to sustain operations.[31][32]Format and Rules
Event Structure
A typical Global Rallycross event weekend spanned two days, encompassing sessions for the Supercar class as the headline category and the Lites class as support races, with the latter following a parallel but scaled-down structure. The schedule generally began on Friday with practice and initial competitive sessions, progressing to decisive races on Saturday, though some doubleheader events effectively extended the format across the weekend. This progression ensured a fast-paced buildup from individual qualifying efforts to high-stakes group racing, culminating in a single main final per class per event.[38][39] Qualifying sessions opened with practice consisting of 1-2 sessions, each 4 laps, during which drivers recorded competitive lap times to establish seeding positions. These seedings, determined by the fastest times, also involved groups where top performers advanced in a seeding round, promoting balanced competition by mixing performance levels early in the weekend.[39] Heat races formed the core of the early progression, typically comprising one to two rounds with three sessions per round, each pitting 4 to 5 cars against one another over 6 laps. Top performers advanced to the semifinals through accumulated points or finishing order from these heats, weeding out lower-ranked drivers while rewarding consistent speed and strategy.[38][40] Semifinals narrowed the field further, consisting of two sessions with 6 or more cars per race over 6 laps, where the top three finishers from each directly qualified for the main final. Non-qualifiers competed in a separate last-chance race to claim the remaining spots, ensuring a 10-car grid for the decisive event.[40][41] The main final race brought the top 10 qualifiers together for 10 laps in the Supercar class (6 laps in the Lites class), with finishing positions dictating event honors and contributing to seasonal standings. Each race, including the final, incorporated a mandatory joker lap to add tactical depth.[40][41][42]Race Mechanics
Global Rallycross races commence with a standing start, where drivers receive 30- and 10-second warnings prior to the green light activation, requiring them to engage launch control systems during this period for optimal acceleration. The pole position, granted to the driver with the fastest qualifying time, occupies the inside lane to provide a strategic advantage at the launch. A key strategic element is the mandatory joker lap, an alternate route that each driver must complete exactly once per race, typically extending the lap length by approximately 10 seconds compared to the main circuit and demanding careful timing to minimize competitive disadvantage. Since mid-2015, the joker lap has been prohibited on the first lap to promote more dynamic early-race action and prevent immediate separation from the pack.[1] Tracks in Global Rallycross feature mixed-surface layouts combining asphalt and gravel sections, measuring between 0.8 and 1.2 kilometers in length, incorporating jumps for airborne maneuvers and tight hairpins that facilitate overtaking opportunities. These designs emphasize high-speed, close-quarters racing on compact circuits.[39] Heats and semifinals consist of 6 laps, while the Supercar final extends to 10 laps and the Lites final to 6 laps, formats that sustain intense, multi-car battles and reward aggressive driving throughout the short duration. This structure highlights the series' focus on overtaking and rapid position changes rather than endurance.[43] All vehicles in Global Rallycross are equipped with standard safety features, including robust roll cages to protect against rollovers on jumps and mixed terrain, as well as onboard fire suppression systems to mitigate risks from high-performance engines and potential impacts.[44]Points System and Penalties
The points system in Global Rallycross awarded championship points based on performance across qualifying heats, semifinals, and the final race at each event, with cumulative totals determining the season standings. In the first round of heats, no points were awarded, serving primarily for seeding purposes. Subsequent heat rounds provided limited points: first place earned 3 points, second place 2 points, and all other finishers 1 point each. Semifinals offered slightly higher rewards, with 5 points for first, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. The final race carried the most weight, distributing 50 points to the winner, 45 for second, 40 for third, 35 for fourth, 30 for fifth, 25 for sixth, 20 for seventh, 15 for eighth, 10 for ninth, and 5 for tenth.[45] Season-long championships were decided by the highest cumulative points totals from all events, with no provision for dropping races to discard poor results. Only drivers committed to competing in the full season were eligible to score title points, excluding one-off or partial entrants from affecting the standings. Ties in the final standings were resolved by the driver with the most race wins, followed by second-place finishes if necessary. Manufacturer points were separately awarded to the top two entries per brand in each final, mirroring the driver scale to crown an annual manufacturers' champion.[45][46] Penalties enforced fair competition and safety, with the penalty box introduced in 2013 to handle minor infractions without interrupting races via red flags or restarts. Drivers committing offenses such as jump starts, excessive contact with other vehicles, aggressive driving, or exceeding track limits were directed by radio to enter the penalty box, where they held position for a 50-meter off-track duration before rejoining the circuit under official release. More severe violations, including failure to complete the mandatory joker lap or repeated infractions, resulted in time additions to the driver's overall race time or outright disqualification from the event. These measures ensured swift resolution while maintaining the high-intensity flow of short, action-packed races.[45][46]Vehicle Classes
Supercar Class
The Supercar class served as the flagship category in Global Rallycross, debuting in 2011 as the series' primary attraction and showcasing high-performance, all-wheel-drive vehicles derived from production car platforms such as the Ford Fiesta, Subaru WRX STI, and Volkswagen Beetle. These cars emphasized raw power and agility on mixed-surface circuits, drawing top-tier drivers and manufacturer-backed teams to compete in intense, short-duration races. The class highlighted the series' focus on accessible yet extreme motorsport, with vehicles designed to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds while navigating jumps and tight corners.[47] Technical specifications for Supercars were tightly regulated to promote parity and safety, mandating a minimum weight of 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) including the driver and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing around 600 horsepower and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque. Power delivery was managed through a 45 mm air restrictor on the turbocharger intake, which limited boost to approximately 40 psi while ensuring consistent performance across different engine configurations from suppliers like Mountune and Pipo Moteurs. The drivetrain featured a sequential six-speed gearbox and full-time all-wheel drive with active differentials, optimizing traction on gravel, tarmac, and dirt—key for the class's emphasis on power-to-weight ratios exceeding 450 hp per ton. Safety enhancements included FIA-approved roll cages, fire suppression systems, and reinforced chassis, with builds overseen by specialized preparers like Olsbergs MSE to meet homologation standards based on street-legal donor models.[48][47][49] Over the series' run through 2017, the Supercar class evolved with rule updates to balance competition and incorporate advancing technology, including the introduction of restrictors in 2014 to cap power variations amid rising manufacturer involvement from Ford, Volkswagen, Subaru, and others. These changes addressed parity issues as teams like Hoonigan Racing Division and Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross pushed development boundaries, while eligibility required all vehicles to originate from production silhouettes limited to compact or subcompact cars under 1,650 kg in stock form. The regulated build process ensured controlled costs relative to unrestricted rally programs, though full Supercar programs demanded significant investment in maintenance and spares, positioning the class as a high-stakes showcase for automotive innovation.[50][48]Lites Class
The Lites class was introduced in the 2013 Global Rallycross Championship as a developmental support series designed to nurture emerging talent alongside the main Supercar events.[21] It provided an affordable entry point for up-and-coming drivers, emphasizing driver skill over mechanical complexity through a spec formula.[51] Vehicles in the Lites class were purpose-built racers constructed by Olsbergs MSE, featuring spaceframe chassis styled after smaller production models like the Ford Fiesta.[52] They utilized all-wheel drive with a six-speed sequential gearbox, powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Ford Duratec engine producing 310 horsepower.[53] Minimum weight was set at approximately 1,190 kg including the driver, ensuring nimble handling on rallycross tracks.[54] The class operated from 2013 to 2017, coinciding with the overall series lifespan, but featured smaller fields of 10 to 15 cars per event compared to the Supercar category.[2] Its simpler setup, lacking the turbocharged power and advanced modifications of Supercars, promoted accessibility with car acquisition costs around $150,000 versus over $400,000 for top-class entries.[55] Primarily serving as a pathway to the Supercar class, the Lites series awarded its 2013 champion a full-season drive in a Supercar the following year, fostering talent progression within the championship.[21]Championships and Competitors
Supercar Champions
The Supercar class, as the premier division of the Global Rallycross Championship (GRC), featured high-performance all-wheel-drive vehicles competing for annual titles from 2011 to 2017, with champions determined by cumulative points from heats, semifinals, and finals across multiple rounds.[56] These drivers dominated through consistent qualifying, strategic joker lap usage, and aggressive overtaking, often securing titles with multiple event victories and strong team support from manufacturers like Ford and Volkswagen.[57] Overall, the class saw five different champions, with Scott Speed leading in total points accumulation (over 1,000 across his titles) and event wins (at least 15 combined), while team affiliations emphasized collaborations between tuners like Olsbergs MSE and factory efforts from Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross.[58] In the inaugural 2011 season, American driver Tanner Foust claimed the Supercar championship driving a Ford Fiesta for the Olsbergs MSE Ford Racing team, marking the series' debut with three victories out of five rounds and a points total of 69, ahead of Marcus Grönholm in second.[59][60] Foust's success established early benchmarks for the class, including podium finishes in all events and a focus on adaptive driving in mixed dirt-asphalt layouts.[60] Foust repeated as champion in 2012 for a back-to-back title, driving a Ford Fiesta for the Olsbergs MSE Ford Racing team and securing wins en route to 94 points, outpacing Brian Deegan by 10 points in a season of six rounds.[61] His defensive driving in finales, including a season-clinching victory at Las Vegas, highlighted the team's engineering edge in power delivery and chassis tuning.[62] The 2013 title went to Finland's Toomas "Topi" Heikkinen, the first international Supercar champion, who drove a Ford Fiesta for Olsbergs MSE Ford Racing and amassed 169 points with five consecutive wins to close the season, surpassing Ken Block (third) by 55 points across seven events.[63][64] Heikkinen's streak underscored the class's growing global appeal, with his aggressive starts contributing to the highest average final positions among title contenders that year.[65] Swedish driver Joni Wiman captured the 2014 championship in his rookie Supercar season, piloting a Ford Fiesta ST for Olsbergs MSE and earning 381 points without a round win but with five podiums, edging Ken Block by five points in eight rounds.[57][66] Wiman's consistency in heats and semifinals exemplified a points-maximization strategy amid intensifying competition from established teams.[67] From 2015 to 2017, American Scott Speed achieved a three-peat during the series' peak attendance years, driving a Volkswagen Beetle for Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross and accumulating over 300 points per season with multiple wins each year, including eight in 2016 alone.[58][56] In 2015, Speed's 571 points and multiple victories clinched the title over Tanner Foust; he defended in 2016 with multiple wins, beating Foust; and in the 2017 finale, he sealed his third straight crown with multiple triumphs ahead of Foust, amid the series' highest total entries.[68][69] Speed's dominance, supported by the team's Shark Racing-prepared chassis in later years, set records for consecutive titles and reliability in high-stakes restarts.[70]Lites Champions
The Lites class in Global Rallycross featured competitive but often limited fields, with championships awarded based on points accumulated from qualifying heats, semifinals, and finals across the season. The inaugural 2013 season marked the class's debut, establishing a foundation for emerging drivers before expansions in vehicle specifications and international participation.[71] In 2013, Joni Wiman secured the first and only uncontested Lites title that year, driving a Ford Fiesta and dominating with four wins in four starts, including a gold medal at X Games Los Angeles.[71][72] Wiman's championship total of 128 points highlighted his consistency in heats and finals, paving the way for his promotion to the Supercar class the following year.[73][74] Subsequent seasons from 2014 to 2017 saw formal championships continue despite fluctuating entries, often ranging from 6 to 12 cars per event, which sometimes led to informal or provisional standings in rounds with low participation.[75] Mitchell DeJong claimed the 2014 title with top honors in multiple events, accumulating points through strong semifinal performances before transitioning to higher classes.[51] Oliver Eriksson won the 2015 championship, earning the title with a third-place finish in the Las Vegas finale after three victories earlier in the season, demonstrating the class's role in driver development as he later advanced to Supercars.[76] Cabot Bigham took the 2016 crown with two wins, including the decisive season finale, amid challenges from inconsistent field sizes that affected heat racing dynamics.[75] The 2017 season concluded with Cyril Raymond as champion, leveraging his European RX Lites experience to secure the title through consistent points from heats and a dominant final, further underscoring the class's pathway to elite competition.[77]| Year | Champion | Vehicle | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Joni Wiman | Ford Fiesta | 4 wins in 4 starts; 128 points |
| 2014 | Mitchell DeJong | Ford Fiesta | Multiple event wins; strong semifinals |
| 2015 | Oliver Eriksson | Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta | 3 victories; title-clinching P3 in finale |
| 2016 | Cabot Bigham | Ford Fiesta | 2 wins, including season finale |
| 2017 | Cyril Raymond | Ford Fiesta | Consistent heats; European crossover success |