Scott Speed, Rhys Millen Take Victories in GRC Los Angeles Doubleheader
Scott Speed won his third race of the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross season and Rhys Millen became the second multiple winner in the Supercar class this year at Red Bull Global Rallycross Los Angeles, held at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, CA. The only doubleheader of the series’ 2014 season, the race served as the seventh and eighth rounds of the championship and a return to the sport’s home base.
LOS ANGELES, CA (September 21, 2014) – The first points-paying round took place on Friday and Saturday, with the remaining racing taking place in Sunday’s show. Speed dominated the first round in the #77 Volkswagen Polo R, posting the second-fastest time in qualifying before winning both heats on the way to the final. Behind him, Joni Wiman earned the second position for his best run of the year, while Ken Block completed the podium.
“So far this Polo has been quite reliable,” said Speed after Saturday’s win, who used teammate Tanner Foust’s former car as Foust debuted the Beetle in the event. “Hopefully that continues for the rest of the races, and for sure that will give us a shot at the championship.”
Saturday’s result put all three drivers, plus Nelson Piquet Jr., within 10 points of one another heading into Sunday. From there, Millen was the star of the show, qualifying third, winning his semifinal and taking a dominant victory over Block and Wiman in the main event.
“To sum it up, it’s been testing,” Millen said of his recent success. “We’ve had time to go to the events, not only to compete, but to go a week early and actually develop the car. We found the right combination in Charlotte, got it right in Daytona, and followed it up this weekend. So really it’s just hard work and sweat that’s got the car running fast.”
When all was said and done, Block seized the championship lead outright by 18 points over the rookie Wiman, with Speed and Piquet both within striking distance as the series heads to DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, WA for Red Bull Global Rallycross Seattle on September 26-27.
Results from Saturday’s final:
Scott Speed, #77 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Polo R
Joni Wiman, #31 Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST
Ken Block, #43 Hoonigan Racing Division Ford Fiesta ST
Rhys Millen, #67 Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing Veloster Turbo
Patrik Sandell, #18 Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST
Results from Sunday’s final are as follows:
Rhys Millen, #67 Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing Veloster Turbo
Ken Block, #43 Hoonigan Racing Division Ford Fiesta ST
Joni Wiman, #31 Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST
Sverre Isachsen, #11 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI
Bucky Lasek, #81 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI
Red Bull Global Rallycross Supercar points through 8 of 10 races:
Ken Block, 299 points
Joni Wiman, 281
Scott Speed, 275
Nelson Piquet Jr., 265
Patrik Sandell, 216
About Red Bull Global Rallycross
Designed to produce the fastest and most exciting racing in motorsports, Red Bull Global Rallycross pits small production-based cars against each other in door-to-door racing featuring dirt, asphalt, and table-top jumps. With enhanced engineering and safety features, the cars produce 600 horsepower and can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in less than two seconds, and can also withstand 70-foot jumps and other vehicle contact. For more information visit www.RedBullGlobalRallycross.com.
Full Results:
http://www.redbullglobalrallycross.com/results/2014-season/events/los-angeles-ca-i/
Photo Credits: Chen/Redbull