Loenbro Motorsports has announced a partnership with Red Bull Global Rallycross Lites stalwarts AF Racing which will see both teams collaborate both on and off track.
The agreement will see both organisations form a driver development ladder from grassroots racing all the way through to Red Bull GRC’s supercars class – the first scheme of its kind for rallycross in the US.
“Having worked my way up through the ranks of racing, it’s important to me to make sure that talented young drivers have a path to the highest level of the sport,” said Loenbro Motorsports general manager Steve Arpin, who began his career working up the NASCAR ranks before transitioning to rallycross.
“Our partnership with AF Racing will allow us to do just that: not only can we give young drivers a path to follow to get to the Supercar class, we can also give sponsors a unique platform to align with drivers over the long term,” he continued. “We’re really excited for what the future brings, and we can’t wait to get started!”
AF Racing and Alejandro Fernandez have been involved with Red Bull GRC Lites since day one – Credit: Dominik Wilde
“Joining forces with Loenbro Motorsports is a major step for the entire AF Racing team,” added AF Racing owner David Fernandez. “Both of our organizations operate under the same core values, making this partnership a natural fit. Working with a championship-caliber Supercar team will give talented GRC Lites drivers an opportunity to make a mark at the highest level, and the combined efforts of our talented personnel will make us tough to beat.”
AF Racing has been active in Red Bull GRC Lites since Alejandro Fernandez‘s début season in 2014, where they became one of the first full-time teams in the championship after Olsbergs ran every car in the field for the maiden Red Bull GRC Lites season the year before.
They added a second car for Nur Ali during the 2015 season, and expanded to three full-time entries last year with rookies Travis PeCoy and Christian Brooks joining the team.
Loenbro Motorsports meanwhile joined the Supercars fold in 2015, and took their first two wins last season with Arpin leading home team mate Brian Deegan in Daytona, while Deegan scored his first win since 2011 in the Los Angeles season finale.
Neither team has confirmed their driver lineups for the upcoming season, but Arpin and Jeremy Stenberg are expected to feature for Loenbro Motorsports and AF Racing respectively.
Last year was a breakthrough season for Loenbro Motorsports – Credit: Larry Chen/RedBull GRC
