FIA European Rallycross frontrunner Liam Doran will make the trip to the United States to take part in the world famous X Games 17 which takes place at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on July 30/31.
The 24-year-old was invited to take part in the event when competing in a Global Rallycross Championship event in June.
“You normally have to qualify for the X Games based on winning events,” said Doran. “But this year has been really difficult for me to make most of the GRC events in the U.S due to my commitment with the European Championship, but I was lucky enough to borrow a Subaru Impreza for the third Round at Pikes Peak International raceway, the organisers we obviously impressed and thought I could stir things up a bit”
Doran will use his 540bhp KHM Citroen C4, nicknamed the 'Black Mamba', for the event.
“I know the car and I have confidence in the team,” he said. “Taking the car to LA will be great for Citroen as the publicity that will surround the event will be immense due to the non-production of Citroens in the U.S.”
Doran was recently signed by Monster Energy, something that gives him further confidence. He will compete against fellow Monster-backed drivers Ken Block and Dave Mirra, both of whom are big stars across the pond.
“I can't think of a better brand to support me at this event than Monster Energy, this event reflects everything that us as team represent. I have to go into this event confident that I can try and hold my position as a front runner. I know I can match Tanner Foust's pace, I have beaten him on numerous occasions in the past but some of the other competitors are new to me. I have a win or go-home attitude”
The event, run and televised by ESPN, will be run over two days. The first day is the SuperRally competition, where the drivers will go head-to-head in a knockout format to determine the winner. The second day is rallycross, where a number of drivers race will against each other.
