Four-time X Games medalist Liam Doran heads to Austin, Texas this weekend as the X Games moves from it’s previous LA home to the Circuit of the Americas.
After a character-building start to his FIA World Rallycross Championship year that has seen a number of technical issues hamper his results, Doran will be looking to add to his medal tally which includes a gold medal from 2011 where he beat Marcus Gronholm to take the win.
“I’ve been watching the X Games for years, and even now, I still get a kick out of just receiving the invite,” said Doran. “Of course heading out to race in the US feels special – I have a lot of support out there, and the atmosphere and events are always fantastic. From what I’ve seen of the set up in Austin, it’s going to be a great competition.”
“I’ve had a difficult start to the season in the World Rallycross championship, so I’m looking forward to trying to break the run of bad luck with a good result in Texas. I’m looking at it in terms that I’ve been quick at X Games previously, and with the next round of the World Championship in Norway, which is a race I won in 2013, things are looking up.
Doran has been on pace this year, when he has been able to, but is confident ahead of the trip to America that the previous issues have been ironed out.
“By the end of the weekend at Lydden Hill [last round of the WorldRX Championship], the car felt awesome. The team have been working flat out to prepare everything so we can take on the competition in the US and then be ready for round three of the World Championship in Norway on the 14th and 15th [June].”
Last year Doran added to his X Games medal tally with a gold and silver medal from the European X Games in Munich and a bronze in the inaugural Gymkhana GRiD competition in Los Angeles.
This weekend marks the twenty-third running of the X Games and the first time it has been held outside of California; theCheckeredFlag.co.uk will be providing full coverage of the Rallycross, Motocross and FMX over the weekend on site and at @tcfX on Twitter.