Dirt racing star Steve Arpin started his 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship challenge in the perfect way at the Top Gear Festival Barbados as he took second place in the final.
Arpin’s weekend didn’t get off to the best of starts; during his first heat he suffered tyre failure following the jump, putting him out of the race with just 2 laps complete.
Saturday saw Arpin take a second and third place in the heats before he took on the Last Chance Qualifying round, which would result in a win, as on-track winner Tanner Foust was penalised for taking the joker lap twice.
One lap in to the final and the red flags come out for Ken Block‘s stricken Ford Fiesta as the Gymkhana star flipped over on the last corner.
Arpin managed to get a clean run on the restart and forged his way towards the front, as the laps counted down Arpin pushed on and was soon challenging Scott Speed for first place. Unfortunately for Arpin his forward momentum would soon turn to defense as Brain Deegan piled on the pressure from third place, that would be as far as the challenge went as Speed took the chequered flag ahead of Arpin and Deegan.
“One word to describe this weekend would just be unreal,” said Steve Aprin. “I really felt I learned a lot out here. I have to thank everyone at Royal Purple for the support and for providing such a great product for my engine. The Ford Fiesta we have is one tough machine and it showed here in Barbados.”
The result would mark Arpin’s best GRC finish who is only in his second year of rallycross.
“We couldn’t be more excited to see Steve have a podium finish in the first race of the Red Bull Global Rallycross,” said Randy Fisher, Marketing Director at Royal Purple.
“With Steve’s experience coming into the second season and Royal Purple products running throughout his Ford vehicle, we are excited about the potential this year in the #00.”
